Public Policy in Texas
Textbook Exam Questions
Course Introduction
This course examines the development, implementation, and impact of public policy in Texas, focusing on the unique political, economic, and social factors that shape decision-making at the state and local levels. Students will analyze the roles of various actors including the legislature, governor, bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and citizens in the policy process, with attention given to contemporary issues such as education, healthcare, natural resources, and immigration. Through case studies and critical discussion, the course explores how Texass distinct history, demographic trends, and political culture influence the formulation and outcomes of public policies in the state.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle Brown
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11 Chapters
834 Verified Questions
834 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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Sample Questions
Q1) The __________ were the most important Native American tribe shaping Texas history.
A) Lipan Apaches
B) Cherokee
C) Comanche
D) Tonkawa
Answer: C
Q2) According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, which of the following is the about percentage of individuals that identify themselves as Hispanic/Latino in the state of Texas?
A) 45%.
B) 38%.
C) 11.5%.
D) 4%.
Answer: B
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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) In 1974, the draft constitution prepared by the constitutional revision commission
A) was passed by the state legislature at the constitutional revision convention.
B) fell three votes short of passage at the constitutional convention.
C) dissolved state government until a new constitution was written.
D) proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Answer: B
Q2) The "Legislative Department" of Texas government is provided for in
A) Article I of the state constitution.
B) Article III of the state constitution.
C) Article IX of the state constitution.
D) Article XX of the state constitution.
Answer: B
Q3) Texas's first experience with a state constitution occurred in A) 1827.
B) 1836.
C) 1824.
D) 1845.
Answer: A
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4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) 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
Q2) None of the ten largest cities in Texas have a
A) strong mayor form of government.
B) council-manager form of government.
C) weak mayor-council form of government.
D) commission form of government.
Answer: C
Q3) The public education function in the state of Texas is provided directly by A) the federal government.
B) local school districts.
C) city government.
D) county government.
Answer: B
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
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Sample Questions
Q1) A general election is held in
A) March of odd-numbered years.
B) November of even-numbered years.
C) November of odd-numbered years.
D) March of even-numbered years.
Q2) Which statement best describes the Green Party?
A) It is a twenty-first century throwback to the Greenbacks of the nineteenth century.
B) It advocates returning to the gold standard as a backing for American currency.
C) It advocates environmental protection and government reform policies.
D) It advocates reduced governmental regulation of corporations and political campaigns.
Q3) In the Texas general election of 2000, which two parties had more candidates for statewide office than did the Democratic Party?
A) Green and Libertarian
B) Populist and Green
C) Socialist and Libertarian
D) Reform and Populist
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Latino community showed its political strength in May of 2010 by
A) holding a support rally for the Arizona Immigration law.
B) contributing millions of dollars to the Republican Party.
C) organizing the new Raza Unida Party.
D) having 28,000 protesters in Dallas opposing the Arizona immigration law.
Q2) Which amendments to the U. S. Constitution were intended to prevent denial of the right to vote for African Americans?
A) Fourteenth and Fifteenth
B) Thirteenth and Fifteenth
C) Nineteenth and Fourteenth
D) Eighteenth and Nineteenth
Q3) How do you explain the fact that, even though Texas has virtually universal adult suffrage, well under one-half of eligible Texas citizens vote? Do you vote? If you do, why do you? If you do not, why don't you?
Q4) The size of the vote necessary for a candidate to win a general election is a A) plurality.
B) simple majority.
C) two-thirds majority.
D) three-fourths majority.
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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Sample Questions
Q1) Any organization is considered an interest group when it
A) registers with the Texas Secretary of State.
B) selects an officer to preside over the body.
C) seeks to influence a governmental policy decision.
D) achieves more than twenty-five members.
Q2) Which of the following goals would a business organization be least likely to pursue?
A) Lower state or federal taxes
B) Minimum government regulations
C) Fewer concessions to labor unions
D) Increased safety and environmental standards
Q3) The decentralized structure of Texas politics and governance __________ the ability of interest groups to influence public policy.
A) decreases
B) eliminates
C) increases
D) has no effect on
Q4) Identify and discuss the factors that contribute to the success or effectiveness of interest groups. Which factors seem most important?
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Page 8
Chapter 7: The Legislature
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Sample Questions
Q1) House-Senate conference committees normally meet during
A) the last 80 days of a regular session.
B) called special legislative sessions only.
C) the first 30 days of the regular session.
D) the second 30 days of the regular session.
Q2) What is the fate of a bill vetoed by the governor after the legislature has adjourned?
A) The bill will die and cannot be overridden.
B) The governor will likely call the legislature into an override session.
C) The legislature will call itself into an override session.
D) The bill will go on a referendum override ballot.
Q3) The federal court case that applied the doctrine of "one-man, one-vote" to Texas was
A) Reynolds v. Sims (1964).
B) Lells v. Kavenaugh (1991).
C) Kilgarlin v. Martin (1965).
D) Ruiz v. Estelle (1980).
Q4) Discuss the process of passing a bill into law. Include both committee and floor actions of both houses of the legislature as well as the actions of the governor.
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Page 9
Chapter 8: The Executive
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Sample Questions
Q1) The governor's legislative powers include all the following, except
A) signing or vetoing bills passed by the legislature.
B) appointing the chairs of legislative committees.
C) proposing legislation in messages to legislators.
D) calling special sessions and setting their agenda.
Q2) 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.
Q3) A direct law-enforcement power that may be exercised by the governor is
A) conscripting county sheriffs into state service to enforce criminal law.
B) assuming direct command of the state Highway Patrol.
C) ordering district attorneys to prosecute persons engaging in criminal conduct.
D) taking actual command of the Texas Rangers.
Q4) Identify and discuss the various roles and functions of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Q5) Identify and describe the role of those entities responsible for education policy and oversight in Texas.
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Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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Sample Questions
Q1) The State Board of Education has caused embarrassment across the state and with the legislature due to its
A) lack of educational expertise.
B) refusal to support teacher unions.
C) lack of courtesy toward fellow members.
D) extremist ideological positions.
Q2) The approximate number of independent school districts in Texas is A) 254.
B) 181.
C) 1,237.
D) 4,600.
Q3) The term deregulation means that
A) business practices are mainly governed by market forces.
B) regulation of business is transferred from state to federal level.
C) regulation of business is transferred from federal to state level.
D) regulation of business is transferred from the state level to the counties.
Q4) Explain the difference between the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Explain why Texas provides relatively low levels of healthcare for those with lower incomes.
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11
Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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Sample Questions
Q1) Texas is divided into ______ appeals court districts?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 14
D) 16
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) Implementing reforms in the method and procedure for selecting Texas judges would likely require
A) substantial revision of the Texas Constitution.
B) only statutory action by the legislature.
C) gubernatorial proclamation to put into force.
D) amending the U.S. Constitution.
Q4) Describe the structure and roles of the "state" courts (both original and appellate jurisdiction). Explain why Texas has two high courts of (final) appeals.
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Page 12
Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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Sample Questions
Q1) Another name for the state's Economic Stabilization Fund is the
A) general obligation fund.
B) "pork barrel fund."
C) "rainy day" fund.
D) general revenue fund.
Q2) The state of Texas budgetary period is one of
A) one year.
B) two years.
C) three years.
D) four years.
Q3) Why do governments borrow money? In particular, describe the debt process in Texas, tracing its historic growth. Defend and criticize the various objects of public borrowing in Texas.
Q4) Where does Texas rank among the states in the tax burden on its citizens?
A) Near the top
B) About twentieth
C) About thirty-fifth
D) Near the bottom
Q5) Describe the history of highway funding in Texas. Identify problems associated with the current system and possible solutions.
Page 13
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