Contemporary Issues in Texas Government Exam Review
Course Introduction
This course examines the major contemporary issues shaping Texas government and politics, offering students an in-depth understanding of the dynamic policy environment in the Lone Star State. Topics include the impact of demographic changes, debates over immigration and border security, public education funding, the interplay between state and federal authorities, and the influence of political parties and interest groups. Through analysis of recent legislative developments, case studies, and current events, students will develop a nuanced perspective on how Texas's unique political culture and institutional frameworks influence policy decisions and their effects on residents.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle
Brown
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11 Chapters
834 Verified Questions
834 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/312
Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5141
Sample Questions
Q1) Some of the criticism over NAFTA has included A) loss of clothing manufacturers.
B) increased air pollution.
C) damage to fruit and vegetable producers.
D) All of the above are true.
Answer: D
Q2) The immigration of undocumented immigrants into Texas
A) was stopped by federal legislation in 1986, 1996, and 2002.
B) has declined because Texas employers are unwilling to hire this class of workers. C) continues because of the stressed economic conditions of the Mexican economy. D) has been encouraged by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Answer: C
Q3) Texas ranks __________ in the amount of carbon dioxide and heat-trapping gases generated.
A) first
B) third
C) last
D) fifth
Answer: A
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas Constitution of 1869 provided for all of the following, except
A) annual legislative sessions.
B) gubernatorial appointment of judges.
C) more centralized state government.
D) six-year term for all executive offices.
Answer: D
Q2) Which of the following is not part of the formal amendment process for state constitutional amendments?
A) Two-thirds vote of a joint resolution in the state legislature
B) Explanatory statements prepared and published in state newspapers
C) Signature of the Governor
D) Simple majority of the voters who vote in the election
Answer: C
Q3) Which of the following does not describe the Texans elected to a state constitutional convention in the summer of 1875?
A) Mostly non-native Texans
B) Members of the Texas Grange
C) Texans dedicated to reducing government spending
D) Residents interested in strengthening the power of state government
Answer: D
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Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5143
Sample Questions
Q1) In most counties, who receives and pays out county funds?
A) County sheriff
B) County judge
C) County tax assessor-collector
D) County treasurer
Answer: D
Q2) A general law municipality becomes eligible for home-rule status when its population exceeds A)201.
B) 5,000.
C) 25,000.
D) 50,000.
Answer: B
Q3) The form of municipal government in which the mayor shares authority with a city council and elected department heads is
A) strong mayor-council.
B) weak mayor-council.
C) commission.
D) council-manager.
Answer: B
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Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5144
Sample Questions
Q1) Party precinct chairs are selected by
A) precinct voters.
B) county chairs.
C) county convention delegates.
D) the District Executive Committee.
Q2) Between 1900 and 1950, the main political conflict in Texas was between
A) Democrats and Populists.
B) liberal and conservative Democrats.
C) Republicans and Democrats.
D) Republicans and Populists.
Q3) Which Texas governor supported Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956?
A) Alan Shivers
B) Price Daniel
C) Coke Stevenson
D) Wilbur Lee O'Daniel
Q4) What do the terms conservative and liberal mean in Texas politics? Explain the links between these terms and political parties in Texas. Which are you? Explain what you perceive to be the weaknesses in the particular political philosophy that you embrace.
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Page 6
Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to studies, negative commercials
A) are generally not aired by the networks.
B) draw voter preference away from the candidate being attacked.
C) result in a decrease of support for the candidate financing the ads.
D) have no measurable effect on voter support.
Q2) Political parties in Texas are required to conduct primaries if they
A) expect to run candidates for more than three statewide offices.
B) will have a slate of candidates for presidential electors.
C) have run statewide candidates in three of the last five gubernatorial elections.
D) received 20 percent or more of the votes in the most recent gubernatorial election.
Q3) In the U.S. Supreme Court case of Guinn v. United States (1915), the court ruled that A) poll taxes were illegal.
B) literacy tests were constitutional.
C) the grandfather clause was illegal.
D) the Fifteenth Amendment was unconstitutional.
Q4) Describe the official qualifications to register and vote in the state of Texas. What changes could you suggest to increase voter eligibility?
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The definition of a lobbyist is an individual who
A) works to get a candidate elected to office.
B) sits on a Congressional committee.
C) attempts to influence the decision-making of lawmakers.
D) issues rulings on major court cases.
Q2) Describe the characteristics of an interest group and explain the basic role of interest groups in the political process
Q3) An interest group has as its primary objective the
A) electioneering support of candidates for public office.
B) influencing of government to respond to the group's objectives.
C) achievement of success as a national organization.
D) growth of its membership.
Q4) An organization that works with government officials for the purpose of influencing public policy is referred to as a(n)
A) political party.
B) interest group.
C) legislature.
D) social brigade.
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) After the 2010 census, Texas congressional districts were redrawn in 2011 by
A) the legislature in a special session.
B) the Legislative Redistricting Board.
C) a panel of federal judges.
D) the Commissioner of the General Land Office.
Q2) The Texas House of Representatives consists of __________ members.
A) 31.
B) 55.
C) 150.
D) 400.
Q3) The "ex officio" president of the Texas Senate also functions as the state's A) vice president.
B) adjutant general.
C) lieutenant governor.
D) attorney general.
Q4) House rules prohibit ghost voting. This practice involves representatives
A) scaring another representatives into voting their way.
B) having another representative vote for them.
C) pressing the voting button for another representative.
D) not voting when present in the chamber.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5148
Sample Questions
Q1) The term weak executive refers to the fact that the governor
A) has budget execution authority in his own right.
B) may hire and fire at pleasure all executive directors of state agencies.
C) is often unable to obtain the cooperation of the legislature.
D) has no direct control over most of the agencies in the state government.
Q2) Who in Texas government is the receiver and custodian of the state's revenue?
A) Comptroller of public accounts
B) State auditor's office
C) Secretary of state
D) Commissioner of the General Land Office
Q3) Explain and illustrate the concept in Texas of a "multiple (or plural) executive system.
Q4) When the governor promises not to deny funding for a legislator's pet project, in exchange for support of a governor's bill, it is referred to as
A) playing the game.
B) pork-barrel politics.
C) cash cow politics.
D) conservative pandering.
Q5) Describe the structure, selection, and function of the Texas Railroad Commission.
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Page 10
Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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77 Verified Questions
77 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The state agency charged with insuring a supply of safe drinking water for colonias (predominantly Hispanic settlements along the Rio Grande) is the
A) General Land Office.
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
C) Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
D) Texas Water Development Board.
Q2) Texas's 2010 poverty rate was the __________ highest in the nation at 17.9 percent.
A) fourth
B) ninth
C) seventh
D) third
Q3) In the case of University of California v. Bakke (1978), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that __________ could be considered as one factor along with other criteria to achieve diversity in higher education.
A) gender
B) race
C) religion
D) class
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11
Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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78 Verified Questions
78 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5150
Sample Questions
Q1) Disputes concerning business contracts, divorce, family matters and personal injury involve
A) criminal law.
B) natural law.
C) civil law.
D) civil felonies.
Q2) The process by which attorneys question potential jurors is called A) venire.
B) voir dire.
C) stratified sampling.
D) peremptory challenging.
Q3) The injured party in a civil case is formally referred to as the A) defendant.
B) victim.
C) plaintiff.
D) law of parties.
Q4) How does the state punish persons it has convicted of criminal offenses? Discuss the developments in this matter since 1980. Can crime be reduced? If so, how? If not, what should the state's policy be regarding the continued increase in the prison population?
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Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5151
Sample Questions
Q1) So-called "sin taxes" are levies placed on
A) alcohol, mixed drinks, and tobacco.
B) food, clothing, and drinks.
C) hotel and restaurant revenues.
D) hunting and fishing activities.
Q2) The "pay-as-you-go" system means that the Texas Legislature must
A) pay its bills on time.
B) pass a surplus budget.
C) borrow to pay its bills.
D) not pass a deficit budget.
Q3) All education funding in Texas is approximately what percent of state expenditures?
A) 10-15 percent
B) 30-35 percent
C) 40-45 percent
D) 50-55 percent
Q4) Describe the system of higher education funding at Texas colleges and universities.
Explain how funding for community colleges differs from that of four-year institutions.
Identify some of the controversies surrounding higher education funding.
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Page 13