Texas GOVT 2306 Final Exam

The idea of that a well governed (just) society follows the "rule of law," and not the "rule of men" comes from__________.
a. Plato
b. Aristotle
c. Cicero
d. Locke

Aristotle

__________ indicated that - realistically - the best government is a "mixed" government that includes, "the one," "the few," and "the many."
a. Plato
b. Aristotle
c. John Locke
d. Thomas Jefferson

Aristotle

Which political party dominated Texas for approximately 100 years?
a. Tea Party
b. Progressive Party
c. Democratic Party
d. None of the other options

Democratic Party

Texas was added to the United States through __________.
a. The Mexican War
b. The Texas Revolution
c. a treaty
d. None of the other options

a treaty

The first Republican governor of Texas was __________.
a. E. J. Davis
b. Col. House
c. William Clements
d. George W. Bush

E. J. Davis

The (1876) Constitution of Texas mixes religion and politics in the preamble.
a. True
b. False

True

In their list of grievances against Mexico, Texas included the claim that public education was not supported.
a. True
b. False

True

The constitution for the Republic of Texas was modeled after the constitution of __________.
a. Mexico
b. Great Britain
c. The Confederate States of America
d. The United States of America

The United States of America

Which of the following relationships is correct?
a. The Texans followed Locke's political theory and the Americans copied the Texans
b. The Texans followed Hobbes' political theory and the Americans copied the Texans
c. The Americans followed Locke's political theory and the Texans copied the Americans
d. The Americans followed Hobbes' political theory and the Texans copied the Americans

The Americans followed Locke's political theory and the Texans copied the Americans

Texas fought and won its independence from __________.
a. Spain
b. Mexico
c. France
d. The United States

Mexico

__________ indicates that slavery was not the cause of the Civil War.
a. The inclusion of four slave states in the northern "free" states
b. Lincoln's failure to issue an Emancipation Proclamation in April 1861
c. The existence of over 400,000 slaves in the "free states" after the Civil War
d. all of the above

all of the above

How was the dispute over the right of secession settled?
a. Through a Supreme Court decision
b. Through the "rule of law"
c. Through "might makes right"
d. Through the intervention of an international organization

Through "might makes right"

During the Reconstruction era, Texas was dominated by the __________ Party.
a. Republican
b. Whig
c. Democratic
d. Progressive

Republican

After Reconstruction ended, Texans voted for __________, making the __________ nominees largely irrelevant.
a. Republicans/Democrats'
b. Democrats/Republicans'
c. Democrats/Whigs'
d. Whigs/Democrats'

Democrats/Republicans'

According to the authors of the textbook the Civil War settled the issue of __________.
a. The separation of powers by placing all power in the hands of the national government
b. Checks and balances by making the states subordinate to the national government
c. Federalism by making the states subordinate to the national government
d. none of the above

Federalism by making the states subordinate to the national government

Requiring the southern states to pass the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments (The "Civil War Amendments") before they were readmitted to the Union was inconsistent with the idea that __________.
a. the southern states had formed an independent nation, the Confederate States of America
b. the southern states could not - and had not - seceded from the U.S.A.
c. the national government is superior to the states governments
d. none of the above

the southern states could not - and had not - seceded from the U.S.A.

The leaders of the U.S. Congress who supported black suffrage and the military occupation of the South after the Civil War were called __________.
a. Copperheads
b. Radical Democrats
c. Carpetbaggers
d. Radical Republicans

Radical Republicans

The 1876 Constitution of Texas __________.
a. includes an article on the right to secede
b. does not include a Bill of Rights
c. is comprised of 20 articles
d. provides for a Bill of Rights

Provides for a Bill of Rights

The current constitution for Texas includes articles that address or contain __________.
a. the legislature, state highways, and the judiciary
b. the legislature, suffrage, health care
c. the executive branch, a bill of rights, suffrage
d. the executive branch, state highways, health care

the executive branch, a bill of rights, suffrage

Federalism, sometimes called "dual federalism," __________.
a. allows states to operate with little interference from the national government
b. attempts to balance power between the national government and the state governments
c. allows the national government to intervene in any state or local government issue
d. implies a one-world government through the UN

attempts to balance power between the national government and the state governments

Reserved powers are those powers that belong to the __________.
a. national government
b. national and state governments
c. local governments
d. people or the state governments

people or the state governments

A broad interpretation of the "necessary and proper" clause allows the national government to __________ state powers.
a. expand
b. rigorously define
c. stabilize
d. encroach upon

encroach upon

Powers belonging exclusively to the national government are called __________ powers.
a. concurrent
b. enumerated or expressed
c. reserved
d. emergency

enumerated or expressed

Powers that both the national and states governments can legitimately claim are called __________.
a. concurrent
b. enumerated or expressed
c. reserved
d. emergency

concurrent

Federalism is a division of power between the national and state governments.
a. True
b. False

True

A strict interpretation of the "necessary and proper" clause accepts the idea that "implied powers" must be "necessary."
a. True
b. False

True

The idea that "implied powers" can be derived from the "necessary and proper clause" was accepted by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of __________.
a. Roe v. Wade
b. McCulloch v. Maryland
c. Wickard v. Filburn
d. Lawrence v. Texas

McCulloch v. Maryland

"Categorical grants" __________.
a. allows states to spend federal funds as they see fit
b. force states to spend federal funds as the federal government sees fit
c. allows states to spend federal funds within a range or options granted by the U.S. government
d. are only given to community organizations

forces states to spend federal funds as the federal government sees fit

"Unfunded mandates" require states to __________.
a. meet federal regulatory guidelines without receiving any additional funds from the national government
b. meet federal regulatory guidelines after receiving additional funds from the national government
c. negotiate regulatory guidelines with the federal government in return for federal funds
d. none of the above

meet federal regulatory guidelines without receiving any additional funds from the national government

"Block grants" __________.
a. allows states to spend federal funds as they see fit
b. force states to spend federal funds as the federal government sees fit
c. allows states to spend federal funds within a range of options granted by the U.S. government
d. are only given to community organizations

allows states to spend federal funds within a range of options granted by the U.S. government

"Cooperative" federalism __________.
a. maintains a balance between the power of the national government and the states
b. gives more power to the national government than the states
c. gives more power to the state governments than the national government
d. eliminates "concurrent powers"

eliminates "concurrent powers"

A constitution __________.
a. provides the rules that govern relations between nations
b. is created through laws passed by the legislature
c. is the same as a declaration of independence
d. establishes the institutions and apparatus of government

establishes the institutions and apparatus of government

Unitary government __________.
a. allows states to operate with little interference from the national government
b. attempts to balance power between the national government and the states governments
c. allows the national government to intervene in any state or local government issue
d. implies a one-world government through the UN,

allows the national government to intervene in any states or local government issue

A legislature that has only one house is called a __________ legislature.
a. bicameral
b. unicameral
c. unitary
d. unified

unicameral

The division of the government power between the legislative, judicial and executive branches is known as __________.
a. federalism
b. division of labor
c. separation of powers
d. "fractured" government

separation of powers

The __________ possesses supreme political authority within a geographic area.
a. government
b. bureaucracy
c. sovereign
d. president

sovereign

A(n) __________ executive holds only a fragment of the power within the executive branch.
a. unitary
b. plural
c. imperial
d. bicameral

plural

An executive (e.g. a governor) who is formally charged by the House of Representatives with misconduct is __________.
a. indicted
b. impeached
c. censured
d. repudiated

impeached

Supporters of a political movement that advocates centralized governmental control and a broad interpretation of the "necessary and proper" clause are called __________.
a. Progressives
b. Prohobitionists
c. Populists
d. Paparazzi

Progressives

The Texas politician who carried on the ideals and plans of the Progressives from the 1930s to the 1960s, giving the nation Medicare and the "War on Poverty" was __________.
a. John Tower
b. Lyndon Johnson
c. John Connally
d. William Clements

Lyndon Johnson

The authors' constitutional argument that the "supremacy clause" settles all legal conflicts between the national and state governments can be __________.
a. accepted as a valid argument since the Tenth Amendment is no longer valid
b. accepted; otherwise "supremacy" is meaningless
c. rejected because it contradicts the "reserved powers" of the Tenth Amendment
d. rejected because the "supremacy clause" only applies to the conflict between international treaties and state laws

Rejected because it contradicts the "reserved powers" of the Tenth Amendment

Progressives believe that __________.
a. the Tenth Amendment, being part of the Bill of Rights, is just as important as the First Amendment
b. "implied powers" are a part of the "delegated powers" referenced in the Tenth Amendment
c. federalism should attempt to balance power between the national and state governments
d. the Seventeenth Amendment fundamentally changed the Constitution of the United States

...

The two "progressive" amendments added to the U.S. Constitution are the __________.
a. 13th and 14th
b. 14th and 15th
c. 15th and 16th
d. 16th and 17th

16th and 17th

The Federal Reserve System, created to reduce the number of depressions, performed as designed between 1913 to 1929, and avoided any depressions for these 16 years.
a. True
b. False

False

__________, a Texan, excelled as an administrator in several "New Deal" agencies.
a. Col. House
b. John Nance Garner
c. Jesse Jones
d. Lyndon Johnson

Jesse Jones

Progressives __________.
a. have never been influential in Texas law and politics
b. have been influential in Texas, supporting the integration of the highway system, and compulsory school attendance
c. are influential today, and keep the state in step with national policies
d. were most influential in Texas when George W. Bush was president

have been influential in Texas, supporting the integration of the highway system, and compulsory school attendance

The Tenth Amendment implies that powers are delegated to __________.
a. the people
b. the states
c. the United States
d. no one

the United States

"Delegated powers" implies that the person or group that receives powers is inferior to the person or group that delegates the powers.
a. True
b. False

True

The power or right to secede is specifically prohibited to the states by the U.S. Constitution.
a. True
b. False

False

Unless a power has been delegated to the U.S. government or prohibited to the states it can be claimed or exercised by the people or the states.
a. True
b. False

True

The original composition of the U.S. Congress followed the Tenth Amendment in that it required passage of a bill through the House, representing the people, and the Senate, representing the states.
a. True
b. False

True

A republican form of government is a system of government in which __________.
a. the Republican Party holds all of the offices
b. power is derived from the military representatives
c. power is derived from the people; no representatives
d. power is derived from the people who elect

power is derived from the people who elect

Coercive federalism __________.
a. allows states to coerce the national government
b. allows the national government to coerce the people
c. force states to change their policies
d. none of these answers

force states to change their policies

Forcing states to spend their funds without compensation by the national government is known as __________.
a. New Federalism
b. Coercive Federalism
c. Layer-cake federalism
d. Dual Federalism

Coercive Federalism

Delegated powers are __________.
a. the same as reserved powers
b. powers given to the U.S. by the Constitution
c. based upon the "necessary and proper" clause
d. based upon the "supremacy" clause

powers given to the U.S. by the Constitution

Incorporation refers to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to use the 14th Amendment to force states to comply with most of the provisions in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
a. True
b. False

True

Married women, compared to single women, __________.
a. give about the same support to the Democrats over the Republicans
b. give about the same support to the Republicans over the Democrats
c. support the Republican Party instead of the Democrats
d. support the Democratic Party instead of the Republicans

Support the Republican Party instead of the Democrats

Ethnic minority groups other than African-Americans typically give the Republicans __________ of their vote
a. <5%
b. 10%-15%
c. 20%-30%
d. 40%

20%-30%

African-Americans typically give the Republicans __________ of their vote.
a. <5%
b. 5%-10%
c. 10%-15%
d. 15%-20%

5%-10%

Kay Bailey Hutchinson __________.
a. defeated Lloyd Bentsen to become a Republican US Senator
b. won a special election in 1993 to take Lloyd Bentsen's place as a U.S. Senator
c. defeated John Tower in a special election to become a U.S. Senator
d. lost to Lloyd Bentsen in her first attempt to become a U.S. Senator

won a special election in 1993 to take Lloyd Bentsen's place as a U.S. Senator

Kay Bailey Hutchinson is a __________ politician who earned a law degree from the University of Texas __________.
a. Democrat / and went directly into politics
b. Republican / and went directly into politics
c. Democrat / and could not get a law firm to hire her
d. Republican / and had to take a position as a TV news reporter for a Houston station

Republican / and had to take a position as a TV news reporter for a Houston station

A proposed law is called a __________.
a. resolution
b. referral
c. writ
d. bill

bill

The Governor and Lt. Governor of Texas __________.
a. have a relationship that is very similar to the President and Vice-President of the U.S.
b. are elected separately, but the Lt. Governor is still accountable to the Governor
c. are elected separately, and can act separately, especially when they are from opposing parties
d. must be from the same party

are elected separately, and can act separately, especially when they are from opposing parties

Unlike the Vice-President of the United States, the Lt. Governor of Texas controls the Senate with the power to appoint the chairs of each committee.
a. True
b. False

True

The lieutenant governor's most important powers are administrative powers in the executive branch.
a. True
b. False

False

When a bill that comes before the governor, the governor __________.
a. may choose either the House or Senate version
b. may make additions to the bill before it is signed
c. must sign one version of the bill that has been passed by both chambers of the legislature
d. must sign one version, and then give it to the Lt. Governor for the Lt. Governor's signature

must sign one version, and then give it to the Lt. Governor for the Lt. Governor's signature

A quorum is __________.
a. the minimum number of people required to do official business
b. the number of people in leadership positions in the Senate
c. the number of people in leadership positions in the House of Representatives
d. the number of people required to stop the Senate or House of conducting official business

the minimum number of people required to do official business

A special session of the Texas legislature lasts __________ days, and __________.
a. 30 / can be called more than once
b. 30 / can be called only once
c. 60 / can be called more than once
d. 60 / can be called only once

30 / can be called more than once

The regular session of the Texas legislature lasts __________ days, including weekends.
a. 100
b. 120
c. 140
d. 160

140

A joint committee can be __________ committee.
a. a temporary
b. a permanent
c. 'a' and 'b'
d. neither 'a' nor 'b'

'a' and 'b'

To get around a "blocking bill," __________.
a. a quorum must be met
b. the presiding officer overrules the "FIFO" rule
c. the rules must be suspended
d. the chamber must invoke cloture

the rules must be suspended

The proper order for legislative action in the House or Senate is __________.
1. The bill is assigned to a committee
2. If necessary, the bill is sent to a Conference Committee
3. The bill is sent to the Governor
4. The bill is put on the calendar for consideration by the full chamber

a. 4, 3, 2, 1
b. 2, 4, 1, 3
c. 1, 4, 2, 3
d. 1, 3, 2, 4

1, 4, 2, 3

Another phrase to describe a dead bill is "tabled" or "pigeon-holed."
a. True
b. False

True

A bill can die in a __________.
a. Committee
b. Subcommittee
c. either 'a' or 'b'
d. neither 'a' nor 'b'

either 'a' or 'b'

After a bill is introduced into the legislature, __________.
a. the presiding officer puts the bill on the calendar.
b. committees bid for the bills that they want
c. the presiding officer assigns the bill to a committee
d. the governor assigns bills to committees

the presiding officer assigns the bill to a committee

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives is the __________.
a. Lt. Governor
b. Speaker
c. Majority Leader
d. Majority Whip

Speaker

The presiding officer in the Senate is the __________.
a. Lt. Governor
b. Speaker
c. Majority Leader
d. Majority Whip

Lt. Governor

Representatives are elected for __________ years terms and Senators have __________ year terms.
a. 2/6
b. 1/5
c. 3/6
d. 2/4

2/4

The Texas legislature consists of __________.
a. 150 Representatives and 2 Senators per county
b. 435 Representatives and 100 Senators
c. 150 Representatives and 31 Senators
d. 100 Representatives and 50 Senators

150 Representatives and 31 Senators

A State Senator must be a resident of Texas for at least __________ year(s).
a. 1
b. 3
c. 5
d. 7

5

A State Representative must be at least __________ years old.
a. 18
b. 21
c. 24
d. 26

21

A bicameral legislature __________.
a. refers to a legislature with only one chamber
b. refers to a legislature with two chambers
c. is only found in the Middle East
d. none of the other options

Refers to a legislature with two chambers

The practice of drawing district lines to favor the majority party is called __________.
a. Salamandering
b. Gerry-rigging
c. gerrymandering
d. biasing the district

gerrymandering

The principle of 'one person, one vote' was established by __________.
a. the U.S. Supreme Court using the 'equal protection' clause of the 14th Amendment
b. an act of Congress
c. an act of the state legislature of Texas
d. an act of the state legislature of Tennessee

the U.S. Supreme Court using the 'equal protection' clause of the 14th Amendment

The word "suffrage" refers to __________.
a. the idea that suffering builds character
b. the right to vote
c. the theory that democracies suffer if the right to vote is extended to minorities
d. the theory that democracies suffer if the right to vote is restricted to wealthy people

the right to vote

In general, if turnout is high, __________.
a. Democrats will win elections
b. Republicans will win elections
c. it will not necessarily help either party
d. none of the above

Democrats will win elections

Ann Richards and Kay Bailey Hutchison were the first women in Texas to be elected on their own merits to governor and U.S. Senator respectively.
a. True
b. False

True

The phrase 'one person, one vote' refers to the idea that __________.
a. a person can vote only one time
b. the population of each district should be approximately the same
c. a person has only one vote
d. the physical size of each district should be approximately the same

the population of each district should be approximately the same

Apportionment is triggered by __________.
a. special session
b. a resolution passed by both chambers of the state legislature
c. the decennial census authorized by the U.S. government
d. an executive order from the governor

the decennial census authorized by the U.S. government

The "curse of the long ballot" refers to __________.
a. the effect of the "fractured executive" branch and elected judges on the length of the ballot
b. a possible contributor to low turnout in Texas
c. 'a' and 'b'
d. neither 'a' nor 'b'

'a' and 'b'

__________ can be on the ballot in special elections.
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Candidates for vacant elective offices
c. Neither 'a' nor 'b'
d. Both 'a' and 'b'

both 'a' and 'b'

A political party that receives at least __________% of the vote in the gubernatorial election must hold a primary election in the next election cycle.
a. 10
b. 15
c. 20
d. 2

20

The expense of the primary elections is borne by __________.
a. the voters through a poll tax
b. the candidates through their filing fees
c. the parties through the dues that they collect
d. the state of Texas through taxes

The state of Texas through taxes

Texas functions as __________.
a. a 'closed' state in both the primary and run-off elections
b. an 'open' state in both the primary and run-off elections
c. an 'open' state in the primary and a 'closed' state in the run-off elections
d. a 'closed' state in the primary and an 'open' state in the run-off elections

a 'closed' state in the primary and an 'open' state in the run-off elections

When you go to vote, you discover that your brother-in-law is in line at the same polling site. As he is about to sign in, you declare that "he's nuttier than a fruitcake," and demand that he not be allowed to vote. The poll judge listens carefully, knowing that mentally incompetent people are not allowed to vote. Based on your statement, the poll judge can forbid your brother-in-law from voting.
a. True
b. False

False

Texas law requires U.S. citizenship before a person is qualified to vote.
a. True
b. False

True

To be eligible to vote in an election, a qualified voter must be registered __________ or more days before the election.
a. 30
b. 45
c. 60
d. 90

30

__________ a continuing discouragement to voter turnout in Texas.
a. The long residency requirements for voters are
b. Annual registration is
c. The "curse of the long ballot" is
d. the poll tax is

The "curse of the long ballot" is

Two of the current issues that discourage voter turnout in Texas are related to education and income.
a. True
b. False

True

Given the typical voting patterns related to age, education and income, __________ have a particularly difficult problem with voter turnout.
a. The Democrats
b. The Republicans
c. neither the Democrats nor the Republicans
d. both the Democrats and Republicans

The Democrats

In general, as age, education and income increase, an individual changes ideologically, becoming __________.
a. more conservative, then more liberal
b. more and more liberal
c. more liberal then more conservative
d. more and more conservative

more conservative, then more liberal

In general, as age, education and income rise, the probability of voting __________.
a. rises
b. falls
c. stays the same
d. has no relationship to these 3 characters

Rises

Which of the following generalizations about voters is incorrect?
a. The more education an individual has, the more likely the individual is to vote
b. the higher an individual's income, the more likely the individual is to vote
c. the younger an individual is, the more likely that individual is to vote
d. the older an individual is, the more likely that individual will vote

the younger an individual is, the more likely that individual is to vote

The economist Anthony Down claimed that __________.
a. people vote because their single vote frequently determines the outcome of an election
b. people do not vote because their single vote does not usually determine an election's outcome
c. people are irrational
d. non-economic factors influence people to vote

non-economic factors influence people to vote

Voting ultimately determines __________.
a. who controls the state agencies and departments
b. the party that most people prefer
c. which party will control each legislative chamber and the governor's office
d. none of the above

which party will control each legislative chamber and the governor's office

The paradox of the 'participation paradox' is that __________.
a. individuals do not vote because their vote does not influence election results
b. individuals vote even though their own votes rarely influences the election results
c. one vote frequently swings an election outcome
d. if we do not vote, elected officials are largely free to do what they want

individuals vote even though their own votes rarely influences the election results

A daily amount of money paid to a public official who is conducting public business is called __________.
a. a per diem payment
b. a daily allowance
c. public compensation
d. a retainer

a per diem payment

The Texas legislature meets in biennial sessions, which means that it meets __________.
a. twice a year
b. every other year
c. once a year
d. whenever the governor calls a session

Every other year

Which topic appears in both chapter 5 and chapter 7?
a. Gubernatorial Vetoes
b. The Texas Revolution
c. Redistricting
d. These two chapters do not overlap at all

Redistricting

The Governor of Texas must be a minimum of __________ years old when he or she takes office.
a. 25
b. 30
c. 35
d. 40

30

The Governor of Texas, like the President of the United States, can remove members of his cabinet whenever he (or she) wishes.
a. True
b. False

False

If a governor vacates the office, the first official in line to succeed the governor is the __________.
a. Secretary of State
b. Lieutenant Governor
c. Speaker of the House
d. President pro tempore of the Senate

Lieutenant Governor

Impeachment of the governor __________.
a. removes him or her from office
b. censors the actions of the Governor and makes any laws signed by the Governor invalid
c. formally charges the Governor with misconduct
d. refers to trial before the Senate

formally charges the Governor with misconduct

Which of the following statements best describes a Texas governor's term in office?
a. 4 years per term; 1 term limit
b. 4 years per term; 2 term limit
c. 4 years per term; unlimited number of terms
d. 2 years per term; unlimited number of terms

4 years per term; unlimited number of terms

A veto is the power __________.
a. of the governor to reject a bill passed by the legislature
b. of the lt. governor to reject a bill passed by the legislature
c. of the legislature to override legislation proposed by the governor
d. of a judge to overturn a law

of the governor to reject a bill passed by the legislature

The decentralized form of the state bureaucracy of Texas is a result of __________.
a. Republican control since 1994
b. a reform launched in the 1950s by Shivers and the "Shivercrats"
c. the Civil War, and the Republican governor during Reconstruction
d. none of the above

the Civil War, and the Republican governor during Reconstruction

Another name for the "fractured executive" is "plural executive"
a. True
b. False

True

Which of the following officials is responsible for supervising the leasing of state-owned land?
a. attorney general
b. adjunct general
c. lieutenant general
d. commissioner of general land office

Commissioner of general land office

Which constitutional duty of the Comptroller of Public Accounts has a direct influence on the creation of the state budget?
a. certifying the finance condition of the state at the close of each fiscal year
b. acting as the chief tax collector
c. acting as the auditor for each county in addition to the state
d. certifying the approximate biennial revenue for the state

certifying the approximate biennial revenue for the state

Which of the following officials has ultimate responsibility for the actions of the Texas bureaucracy?
a. Governor
b. Lt. Governor
c. Speaker of the House
d. no single official has ultimate responsibility

no single official has ultimate responsibility

If the state of Texas is party to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Attorney General or an attorney in the AG's office will represent the state.
a. True
b. False

True

A line item veto is only used with which type of bill?
a. Education bills
b. Appropriation bills
c. Local government bills
d. Emergency bills

Appropriation bills

Which of the following statements about special sessions is incorrect?
a. There is no limitation on the number that can be called.
b. They are limited to 140 days
c. The official agenda is determined by the governor
d. They are sometimes unable to maintain a quorum

They are limited to 140 days

Once a special session of the legislature has been called, the agenda is determined by the __________.
a. the presiding officer
b. the governor
c. the legislators
d. the governor and the presiding officers

The governor

Who has the constitutional authority to call a special session of the legislature?
a. The governor only
b. The legislature only
c. the governor and legislators
d. the presiding officers

The governor only

Which of the following statements about the legislature's power to override bills vetoed by the governor is incorrect?
a. it is difficult to override a veto
b. the legislature has only overridden a veto once since World War II
c. The veto gives the Texas governor a strong bargaining position with legislators
d. The vast majority of bills are passed and sent to the governor during the early days of the session so that the governor has plenty of time to veto them

The vast majority of bills are passed and sent to the governor during the early days of the session so that the governor has plenty of time to veto them

The commissioner of the Department of Insurance is directly elected by the people.
a. True
b. False

False

The governor may not remove an appointee from a state agency without getting a 2/3 vote from the Texas Senate.
a. True
b. False

True

The only woman to be elected governor on her own ability was __________.
a. "Ma" Ferguson
b. Kay Bailey Hutchinson
c. Ann Richards
d. Wendy Davis

Ann Richards

How many female governors had Texas had?
a. One
b. Two
c. Three
d. Four

Two

A governor can make his (or her) wishes known to the legislature through __________.
a. The State of the State address
b. a veto
c. the threat of a veto
d. all of the above

all of the above

An informal requirement for being a governor of Texas is being __________.
a. a Roman Catholic
b. a liberal
c. middle aged
d. a former member of the state legislature

Middle aged

Trial courts deal with torts and crimes which are, in essence, a claim regarding __________.
a. rights
b. wrongs
c. misunderstandings
d. probable clause

rights

In a criminal case, the actions of the defendant are considered to be so serious that they constitute an attack upon __________.
a. a protected classes of individuals
b. officials involved in law enforcement
c. society
d. families

society

It is not considered "double jeopardy" to allow a person to face trials in both a criminal court and a civil court for the same incident.
a. True
b. False

True

In a civil trial, the person who is the accuser of the defendant is known as the __________.
a. prosecutor
b. plaintiff
c. victim
d. respondent

Plaintiff

The court with exclusive jurisdiction over city ordinances is known as a __________.
a. J.P. Court
b. city court
c. municipal court
d. district court

municipal court

District courts accept most of their cases on appeal
a. True
b. False

False

A court that hears a case on appeal has what type of jurisdiction?
a. first instance
b. appellate
c. de novo
d. original

original

The Supreme Court of Texas has one __________.
a. presiding justice
b. chief superintendent
c. chief justice
d. majority justice

chief justice

Grand juries in Texas have how many members?
a. 23
b. 10
c. 12
d. 6

12

__________ are popularly known as "small claims courts."
a. J.P. Courts
b. city courts
c. municipal courts
d. district courts

J.P. Courts

Contested probate cases are tried in __________ courts.
a. Justice of the Peace
b. county
c. municipal courts
d. districts

Districts

Judges serving in appellate courts have terms of __________ years.
a. 2
b. 4
c. 6
d. 8

6

The responsibility of a party to prove their case in court is known as __________.
a. the burden of proof
b. clear and convincing proof
c. the preponderance of the evidence
d. proof beyond a reasonable doubt

The burden of proof

To prove a defendant guilty in a criminal case, the state must provide __________.
a. a preponderance of the evidence
b. enough evidence that at least 3/4 of the jurors agree to guilt
c. more evidence than the defense
d. sufficient evidence that jurors will believe the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

sufficient evidence that jurors will believe the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

In civil cases the jury must weight the evidence and render a verdict based upon the standard of __________.
a. reasonable doubt
b. beyond a reasonable doubt
c. probably doubt
d. a preponderance of the evidence

a preponderance of the evidence

Appellate courts are primarily concerned with __________.
a. the burden of proof
b. the witnesses
c. the documentary evidence
d. a review of law as applied in the original court

A review of law as applied in the original court

__________ is the constitutional protection that the state of Texas cannot prosecute a person twice for the same crime.
a. Writ of habeas corpus
b. Double jeopardy
c. indictment
d. Nolo contendere

Double Jeopardy

A "true bill" or an "indictment" from a grand jury has the same effect.
a. True
b. False

True

Negotiations between the prosecution and the defense to obtain a lighter sentence or other benefits is known as __________.
a. de novo
b. pleading no contest
c. a plea bargain
d. a writ

a plea bargain

Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over automatic appeals in death penalty cases?
a. Court of Criminal Appeals
b. United States Supreme Court
c. District Court of Appeals
d. Texas Supreme Court

Court of Criminal Appeals

Which of the following statements about indictments in Texas is incorrect?
a. if an indictment is not returned, the conclusion of the grand jury is a no bill
b. the vote of all of the grand jurors is needed to indict
c. an indictment is the responsibility of the grand jury
d. an indictment is sometimes referred to as a true bill

the vote of all of the grand jurors is needed to indict

When a prospective juror is dismissed for failing to meet a legal requirement for jury duty, one of the lawyers has used a __________.
a. preemptory challenge
b. judicial veto
c. challenge for cause
d. nolo accepto

Challenge for cause

Which of the following occurs when a jury is unable to agree on a verdict after a suitable period of deliberation?
a. True bill
b. no bill
c. Hung Jury
d. De novo

Hung Jury

The Supreme Court of Texas is the final court of appeal for __________.
a. criminal and civil cases
b. criminal cases only
c. civil cases only
d. criminal and civil cases but only after an Appeals Court has reviewed the case

civil cases only

The jury that determines the outcome of a trial is called a __________ jury.
a. grand
b. empaneled
c. petit
d. disinterested

petit

"Iron Triangles" are composed of which of the following?
a. Legislators, bureaucrats and representatives of special interests
b. the governor, legislators, and representatives of special interests
c. the governor, academics and representatives of special interests
d. none of these

Legislators, bureaucrats and representatives of special interests

A new proposal for selecting judges, called the __________ plan, includes the idea of a retention election.
a. Connecticut
b. Virginia
c. Missouri
d. Texas

Missouri

Misdemeanor cases that could result in a prison sentence are tried __________.
a. By the Justice of Peace
b. in county courts
c. in municipal courts
d. in district courts

in county courts

Felony cases are tried in __________ courts.
a. Justice of the Peace
b. county
c. municipal courts
d. district

district

Tax rates that place more of a burden on low-income taxpayers that on wealthier ones are called __________.
a. Marginal prosperity tax rates
b. regressive tax rates
c. progressive tax rates
d. non-reformist taxes

Regressive Tax Rates

Tax rates that rise as income rises are called __________.
a. Marginal prosperity tax rates
b. regressive tax rates
c. progressive tax rates
d. non-reformist taxes

Progressive tax rates

__________ advocate that tax rates should be kept low to encourage individuals to save and invest.
a. Proponents of progressive taxes
b. Proponents of ability to pay
c. Supply-siders
d. Consumer-economic-siders

Supply-siders

The economic theory that government should pump money into the economy - even if it requires going into debt (deficit spending) - to increase demand is called __________.
a. Marxism
b. Socialism
c. Keynesianism
d. Liberalism

Keynesianism

Real estate has been a significant source of revenue, at one time or another, for both state and local governments.
a. True
b. False

True

Property taxes were the major source of state revenue until __________.
a. the Progressive Era
b. the Panic of 1900
c. the war on poverty
d. The Great Depression of the 1930s

The Great Depression of the 1930s

Broadly based taxes collected on the retail price of most items are called __________.
a. general sales tax
b. user tax
c. ad valorem tax
d. hidden tax

General sales tax

The state income tax became law with the passage of the Income Tax Act in 1893.
a. True
b. False

False

After the state abandoned property taxes, Texas began to rely upon __________ taxes.
a. franchise
b. "sin"
c. gross-receipts
d. income

"sin"

__________ are taxes on the total sales revenue of certain business enterprises.
a. Selected sales tax
b. Corporate income taxes
c. Gross-receipts taxes
d. Corporate enterprise taxes

Gross-receipts Taxes

Which type of tax may be applied to real property (i.e., land and buildings)?
a. franchise
b. ad valorem
c. sales
d. excise

ad valorem

The gasoline tax is an example of what type of tax?
a. progressive
b. selected sales tax
c. ad valorem
d. "sin"

Selected sales tax

A selective sales tax is also known as a(n) __________ tax.
a. "sin"
b. ad valorem
c. hidden
d. progressive

hidden

The franchise tax levies __________.
a. alcohol and tobacco
b. property
c. sales
d. profits

profits

Businesses shouldn't be concerned about increased taxes because they can always pass all of their taxes on to the customers.
a. True
b. False

False

A grant (from the U.S. government to a state) that requires the state to spend the funds exactly as stipulated by the U.S. government is called a __________ grant.
a. non-categorical
b. categorical
c. block
d. stipulated

Categorical

A grant (from the U.S. government to a state) that gives the state some leeway in spending the funds is called a __________ grant.
a. non-categorical
b. categorical
c. block
d. stipulated

block

The requirement to balance the Texas budget is also referred to as the __________ portion of the Texas Constitution.
a. "level teeter-totter"
b. "pay at the pump"
c. "pay as you go"
d. "pay up or else"

"Pay as you go"

County law enforcement is the primary responsibility of __________.
a. the Texas Rangers
b. a municipal police department
c. the Sheriff's office
d. The Highway Patrol

the Sheriff's office

Other than capital murder, the most serious type of crime is known as a __________.
a. Class A felony
b. 1st degree felony
c. 3rd degree misdemeanor
d. Class C misdemeanor

1st degree felony

The most minor type of crime is known as a __________.
a. Class A felony
b. 1st degree felony
c. 3rd degree misdemeanor
d. Class C misdemeanor

Class C misdemeanor

One of the key characteristics of violent criminals is that they reject social mores.
a. True
b. False

True

Violent criminals tend to commit their crimes against __________.
a. Affluent strangers
b. Friends and family
c. Strangers, regardless of wealth
d. wealthy friends

Friends and Family

Non-violent criminals tend to commit __________.
a. crimes of passion
b. crimes against friends and family
c. crimes involving financial transactions
d. crimes involving firearms

Crimes involving financial transactions

The __________ is not a law enforcement agency of the state.
a. Department of Public Safety
b. Alcoholic Beverage Commission
c. Texas Rangers
d. Constable's Office

Constable's Office

All of the prisons in Texas are run by the state government
a. True
b. False

False

"Miranda rights" are drawn from the __________ amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
a. 3rd and 4th
b. 4th and 5th
c. 5th and 6th
d. 6th and 7th

5th and 6th

After a person is arrested their first appearance before a judge is called a/an __________.
a. arraignment
b. docket
c. plea bargain
d. presentment

arraignment

When a date for a trial is set, it is placed on the court's __________.
a. arraignment
b. docket
c. plea bargain
d. presentment

docket

In a capital murder case the jury that renders the verdict must be the same jury that sets the sentence.
a. True
b. False

False

The governor has the sole power to grant a pardon.
a. True
b. False

False

Granting a commutation to a prisoner means that __________.
a. a criminal's record is expunged and all benefits of citizenship is restored
b. execution is delayed
c. the amount of time served in prison is shortened
d. a prisoner is released to a half-way house

the amount of time served in prison is shortened

If a convict is granted parole or probation the convict must meet with a __________ on a regular basis or they will be sent to prison.
a. Judge
b. psychological counselor
c. constable
d. supervision officer

Supervision officer

Sometimes a judge will grant __________ to assure that a suspect (who has been arrested) will appear in court for their trial.
a. a parole
b. probation
c. bail
d. a commutation

Bail

The two costliest public services account for __________ of the state budget.
a. 50%
b. 67% (2/3)
c. 75%
d. 85%

75%

Transportation consumes roughly what percentage of Texas' budget?
a. 5
b. 15
c. 10
d. 20

10

Which of the following is Texas's costliest service?
a. health and human services
b. transportation
c. education
d. human services

education

The debate over school funding in Texas was decided __________ the Edgewood ISD by the __________ Supreme Court.
a. in favor of / U.S.
b. against / U.S.
c. in favor of / Texas
d. against / Texas

against / U.S.

Which agency creates general rules and guidelines for the Texas Education Administration (TEA)?
a. the State Board of Certification
b. the State Board of Education
c. the Higher Education Coordinating Board
d. the State Coordinating Board

The State Board of Education

The property tax rate that homeowners pay to support local schools is set by the __________.
a. state legislature
b. Texas Education Agency
c. State Board of Education (SBOE)
d. the school district in which the property is located

the school district in which the property is located

Within 5 years approximately __________ of teachers leave the profession.
a. 1/2
b. 1/3
c. 2/3
d. 2/5

1/3

Most of the basic curriculum in Texas is determined by __________.
a. the SBOE
b. the national government
c. the governor's education czar
d. the individual shcools

The SBOE

Which of the following is not a source of public school funding in Texas?
a. federal government grants
b. state funding
c. state vouchers
d. local funding

State vouchers

In Edgewood ISD v Kirby, one of the key constitutional issues for the Supreme Court was clarifying the phrase __________.
a. "Robin Hood funding plan"
b. "separate but equal"
c. "efficient system of free public schools"
d. "balancing test"

"Efficient system of free public schools"

One of the challenges facing the Higher Education Coordinating Board is dealing with the __________.
a. insufficient number of collages and universities in the state
b. raising the level of funding for universities that are not in the TAMU and UT systems
c. changing demographics of the student population and a drop in the college population
d. changing the state property taxes for education

changing demographics of the student population and a drop in the college population

What approximate percentage of Texas's budget is dedicated to health and human services?
a. 10
b. 25
c. 33
d. 40

33

The poverty rate in Texas is generally __________ the national average.
a. above
b. below
c. about the same as
d. calculated differently from

above

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission provides all of the following social services except __________.
a. Medicaid
b. Medicare
c. unemployment insurance
d. assistance to needy families

Medicare

The national unemployment insurance (income support) programs was established through the __________.
a. National Anti-Poverty Program (NAPP)
b. "Great Society"
c. Social Security Act
d. "War on Poverty"

Social Security Act

Under the national unemployment insurance program, anyone who has lost a job may apply for assistance.
a. True
b. False

False

Most crimes in Texas are classified by either classes or degrees, but one exception is a __________.
a. state jail felony
b. county jail felony
c. Class AA misdemeanor
d. capital misdemeanor

county jail felony

The first step in a budget process is __________.
a. passing a budget bill that the governor will sign
b. getting an estimate of state revenue from the Comptroller of Public Accounts
c. passing an appropriations bill
d. paying off any deficit that was incurred by the preceding legislature

Getting an estimate of state revenue from the Comptroller of Public Accounts

The gasoline tax is an example of what type of tax?
a. progressive
b. regressive
c. general sales
d. ad valorem

Regressive