State and Local Government Practice Exam
Course Introduction
This course examines the structure, functions, and processes of state and local governments within the United States. It explores the unique political environments, constitutional frameworks, and policy challenges facing states, counties, municipalities, and special districts. Through analysis of topics such as federalism, intergovernmental relations, local political institutions, fiscal management, and citizen participation, students gain insight into the significant role that state and local governments play in shaping public policy and everyday life. Case studies and current issues are used to illustrate the dynamic interactions between various levels of government and the diverse communities they serve.
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) Texas ranks __________in addressing poverty and social problems.
A) in the top ten states
B) first in the nation
C) near the bottom of the fifty states
D) fifth in the country
Answer: C
Q2) The process of mixing chemicals with sand and water and injecting them into the ground to force out oil and gas from the shale below, is referred to as
A) pumping.
B) fracking.
C) hydroplaning.
D) turbining.
Answer: B
Q3) 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
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5142
Sample Questions
Q1) Under the Texas Constitution of 1836, which individual was elected as president of the new republic?
A) General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
B) Edmund Jackson Davis
C) Jefferson Davis
D) Sam Houston
Answer: D
Q2) The constitution submitted by the legislature in April 1975 to the voters was
A) twice as long as the 1876 Constitution.
B) essentially the constitution that had failed by three votes the previous year.
C) essentially the 1876 Constitution, though it was better organized and shorter.
D) a clearly confusing and unworkable document.
Answer: B
Q3) Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845. Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas, and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.
Answer: Answers may vary.
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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) A city law is referred to as a city
A) statute.
B) ordinance.
C) rule.
D) order.
Answer: B
Q2) Which of the following is not a characteristic of a council-manager form of government?
A) A mayor with power to veto council actions
B) A city manager appointed by the city council
C) An elected mayor and city council
D) A city manager responsible for managing the city's departments
Answer: A
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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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5144
Sample Questions
Q1) 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.
Q2) An organization that consists of individuals interested in controlling government by winning elections is referred to as a(n)
A) interest group.
B) political party.
C) political movement.
D) lobby.
Q3) Which geographic area of Texas is a Republican stronghold?
A) Beaumont-Port Arthur area
B) Lower income neighborhoods of large cities
C) Hispanic counties of South Texas
D) Texas Panhandle and Texas South Plains
Q4) Trace the temporary and permanent party organizational structures in Texas. As an ordinary citizen wanting to become active in party politics, where would you start, and how would you proceed?
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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) The basic geographic area for conducting national, state, district, and county elections is the
A) congressional district.
B) voting precinct.
C) county commissioner precinct.
D) municipality.
Q2) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments were aimed primarily at increasing political participation among A) women.
B) ethnic minorities.
C) persons in the armed services.
D) those between the ages of 18 and 21.
Q3) Texas primary elections are, by law, classified as A) blanket primaries.
B) jungle primaries.
C) closed primaries, requiring voters to declare party affiliation when registering to vote. D) closed primaries, where voters declare party membership by voting in the party's primary.
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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) An organization of individuals with similar views that tries to influence government to respond favorably to its views is called a(n)
A) voluntary association.
B) benevolent society.
C) interest group.
D) political party.
Q2) In 1999, Texas became the first state to allow
A) for the taxing of interest groups.
B) public school teachers to form unions.
C) state employees to legally go out on strike.
D) doctors to collectively bargain with health maintenance organizations.
Q3) In which of the following activities are interest groups most involved?
A) Recruiting candidates
B) Writing party platforms
C) Providing an outlet for citizen activity
D) Electioneering
Q4) 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.
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample
Questions
Q1) Occasionally, representatives engage in lengthy debates on bills that they do not oppose. This delaying action is called
A) a filibuster.
B) cloture.
C) chubbing.
D) politics as usual.
Q2) When compared to California legislators, those in Texas are paid a salary that is A) much better.
B) slightly higher.
C) much lower.
D) very similar.
Q3) The practice of rejecting gubernatorial appointments that are objectionable to the senator from the appointee's home district, is called A) oversight.
B) senatorial courtesy.
C) legislative veto.
D) advice and consent.
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Page 9
Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5148
Sample Questions
Q1) Rendering opinions on law and serving as the state's representative in civil cases is the
A) Texas Secretary of State.
B) Texas State Bar Association.
C) Texas Attorney General.
D) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Q2) 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.
Q3) 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.
Q4) Describe the constitutional qualifications for the office of governor of Texas. What other (non-constitutional) qualifications should a person possess to attain the office?
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Page 10
Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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77 Verified Questions
77 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5149
Sample Questions
Q1) The ability of the Public Utilities Commission to regulate communication in Texas is somewhat limited by the
A) Texas Constitution.
B) pressures of the market.
C) policies of the national government.
D) office of the Texas governor.
Q2) As a 19-year-old mother of one child, a recipient of public assistance, and a resident of Dallas County, which of the following most threatens you?
A) The use of the Lone Star Card for obtaining subsidized food
B) The possible closing of the only hospital in rural Van Zandt County
C) The cap on consecutive and lifetime receipt of cash public assistance benefits
D) The possibility that eligibility screening for public assistance would be contracted out to a private business
Q3) Explain the services provided by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Describe the qualifications necessary to qualify for aid under these programs.
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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) The function of small claims courts in Texas is mainly performed by A) federal judges in small counties.
B) justices of the peace.
C) state district courts.
D) municipal courts.
Q2) Rehabilitation of Texas prison inmates is most likely to be successful if the inmate
A) makes frequent application for parole.
B) goes through the state release procedures.
C) participates in the Prison Fellowship Ministries.
D) serves his full sentence and is not released on parole.
Q3) A violation of the Arlington municipal fire code would be tried in the A) Tarrant County court at law.
B) district court in Tarrant County.
C) Arlington municipal court.
D) Tarrant County justice of the peace.
Q4) Explain capital felony law in Texas. Include in your discussion a definition of capital felony, what the jury must consider, and its sentencing options.
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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) Texas has sought to reduce the cost associated with state prisons by all the following, except
A) increasing sentencing terms.
B) encouraging education programs.
C) providing drug abuse counseling.
D) counseling to help transition to civilian life.
Q2) A high school graduate near the top of his or her class who took the recommended curriculum and who meets economic need guidelines can have his or her college tuition at state institutions paid from the
A) Teach for Texas Fund.
B) Texas Tomorrow Fund.
C) Available University Fund.
D) Texas Grant Program (Toward Excellence, Access, and Success).
Q3) Compared to the rest of the nation, the number of children without health insurance coverage in Texas is
A) among the lowest.
B) about average.
C) the highest.
D) decreasing rapidly.
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Page 13