Contemporary Texas Politics Practice Exam
Course Introduction
Contemporary Texas Politics examines the political landscape of Texas in the modern era, with a focus on the states governmental institutions, party dynamics, policy debates, and electoral trends from the late 20th century to the present. The course explores the unique blend of conservatism and progressivism that defines Texas politics today, analyzing key issues such as immigration, economic development, education reform, and the role of diversity in shaping public policy. Students will evaluate the influence of historical legacies, demographic shifts, and national political currents on Texas governance, as well as the strategies of major political actors and interest groups who drive the states political agenda.
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) Which of the following was created in 1957 for purposes of state mandated water planning?
A) Texas Education Agency
B) Texas Department of Water
C) Texas Environmental Protection Agency
D) Texas Water Development Board
Answer: D
Q2) The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently under the Department of A) State.
B) Defense.
C) Homeland Security.
D) Texas Immigration.
Answer: C
Q3) After WWII, increased numbers of Latinos in Texas sought employment in A) the agricultural sector.
B) the industrial sector.
C) the Mexican markets.
D) the Canadian markets.
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The trend in federal-state relations since the 1980s can best be described as the A) federal government assuming more financial responsibility for state programs.
B) states assuming more responsibility for Social Security and Medicare.
C) federal government transferring more responsibility to the states but reducing funding.
D) states playing a larger role in the area of national defense and border security.
Answer: C
Q2) Understanding the difference between state government and federal government involves
A) knowing that state constitutions are more powerful than the U.S. Constitution.
B) understanding that the federal constitution is weaker than state constitutions.
C) understanding that state constitutions are subject to the U.S. Constitution.
D) understanding that the Supremacy Clause does not apply to most of the states.
Answer: C
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Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The segment of Texas higher education that receives support from property taxes is the
A) junior and community colleges.
B) University of Texas system.
C) State Technical Institute system.
D) Texas A&M system.
Answer: A
Q2) About what percent of cities in Texas are general-law cities?
A) Just over 10 percent
B) Just under 50 percent
C) Just over 70 percent
D) Just over 90 percent
Answer: C
Q3) When a piece of real property (land and its improvements) is transferred, who records the deed of transfer?
A) Commissioner of the General Land Office
B) County auditor
C) County clerk
D) County tax assessor-collector
Answer: C
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Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) After Reconstruction, which political party dominated in Texas for more than 100 years?
A) Whig
B) Democratic
C) Republican
D) Libertarian
Q2) In Texas, a state party's chair is selected by the
A) state convention delegates.
B) party primary voters.
C) State Executive Committee.
D) majority vote of the county chairs.
Q3) Which political label would best describe a politician that is in favor of government regulation of the economy, but limited government involvement on social issues?
A) Libertarian
B) Socialist
C) Liberal
D) Conservative
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Some of the key factors that affect voter turnout include education, gender,
A) credit history, and available credit.
B) sexual orientation, hair and eye color.
C) regular income, age, and ethnicity.
D) voter status and party affiliation.
Q2) The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibited the states from denying the vote due to race was the
A) Thirteenth Amendment.
B) Fifteenth Amendment.
C) Nineteenth Amendment.
D) Twenty-Sixth Amendment.
Q3) The color of voter registration certificates is determined by the
A) Texas Attorney General.
B) Voter Registrar of Texas.
C) Texas Secretary of State.
D) county that mails your voter registration card.
Q4) Describe how potential voters in Texas learn about candidates and issues. What appear to be the primary factors in voter choices (deciding who to vote for).
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7
Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state. What are the state regulations regarding interest groups and how are the enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.
Q2) An example of a professional organization is the
A) Texas American Federation of Labor.
B) League of United Latin American Citizens.
C) Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
D) Texas Health Care Association.
Q3) Ethnic minorities have found that their most successful political strategy has been to A) dominate one of the major political parties.
B) organize into political interest groups.
C) elect their members to statewide public office.
D) seek amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Q4) Distinguish between an interest group and a political party. In what ways are their goals and membership different? In what ways do they interact with one another?
Q5) Describe the characteristics of an interest group and explain the basic role of interest groups in the political process
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Page 8
Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Describe the formal qualifications of members of the Texas legislature. Explain why actual members of the legislature fail to represent a representative cross-section of Texas society.
Q2) The State Auditor of Texas is appointed by the
A) Comptroller of Public Accounts.
B) Legislative Audit Committee.
C) Legislative Budget Board.
D) State Treasurer.
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) Which of the following is a false statement regarding members of the Texas legislature?
A) Members may be expelled by a vote of their chamber.
B) Vacancies to legislative seats are filled by governor's appointment.
C) If called to military duty, members may retain their office.
D) A temporary qualified replacement must be of the member's party.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following officials primarily serves legislative functions?
A) Lieutenant Governor
B) Attorney General
C) Secretary of State
D) Comptroller of Public Accounts
Q2) Regarding the constitutional language relating to the removal of the governor, which statement is incorrect?
A) Impeachment is by simple majority vote of the House of Representatives.
B) Conviction is by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Senate.
C) A governor may be removed by legislative "address."
D) Once removed, the governor may then be tried in criminal court.
Q3) 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
Q4) Discuss the concept of a weak governor versus a strong governor. How would the Texas executive system be reformed to strengthen the power of the governor?
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Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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77 Verified Questions
77 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Texas, education, health, and human services expenditures account for __________ of the state's budget.
A) one-half
B) three-fourths
C) one-third
D) one fourth
Q2) Describe the methods of funding and administrative control of public higher education in Texas. What are some of the issues confronting non-flagship institutions? How would you resolve the issue of equitable funding for all higher education institutions?
Q3) Explain the difference between the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Explain why Texas provides relatively low levels of healthcare for those with lower incomes.
Q4) Which of the following provides a list of approved textbooks for public schools?
A) Texas Education Agency
B) Commissioner of Education
C) State Board of Education
D) State Board for Educator Certification
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Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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78 Verified Questions
78 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A collection of laws relating to the same subject and presented in an organized manner is called a(n)
A) code.
B) ordinance.
C) statute.
D) jurisprudence.
Q2) The term court of record means that the
A) cases may not be appealed from these courts.
B) decisions of the judges are recorded and published.
C) transcript of court proceedings is made by a stenographer.
D) proceedings may be audiotaped or videotaped for public release.
Q3) The State Bar of Texas performs all the following functions, except
A) provide continuing legal education.
B) discipline, suspend or disbar attorneys.
C) promote high standards of ethical conduct.
D) rate and publish the qualifications of lawyers.
Q4) Review the history of capital punishment in Texas. There are two sides to the capital punishment debate: Those in favor and those against capital punishment. What are the arguments put forth by each side in support of their position?
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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) Most taxes in Texas are administered by the
A) commissioner of insurance.
B) comptroller of public accounts.
C) secretary of the treasury.
D) county tax assessor-collector.
Q2) Which state program in Texas does not receive substantial federal funding?
A) Public education
B) Highways
C) Teacher retirement
D) Public assistance
Q3) Texas relies heavily on non-tax revenues to meet its fiscal obligations. Identify and describe these non-tax sources of revenue. Which of these non-tax revenues could Texas least afford to lose, and why?
Q4) In response to pressure from small businesses the state legislature recently
A) reduced the franchise tax for many businesses.
B) increased the taxes on tobacco products.
C) instituted a state income tax.
D) abolished the general sales tax.
Q5) What is the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund in Texas? Describe how it was created and is utilized.
Page 13
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