State and Local Government Study Guide Questions
Course Introduction
State and Local Government explores the structure, functions, and processes of subnational governments in the United States. The course examines the relationships between state governments, local municipalities, and the federal government, focusing on the formulation and implementation of public policies at these levels. Topics include state constitutions, legislative and executive branches, taxation, budgeting, courts, political parties, intergovernmental relations, and citizen participation. Emphasis is placed on the unique challenges and opportunities facing state and local authorities, including issues of urbanization, education, public safety, and economic development. Students also analyze contemporary case studies to understand how various governments address community needs and govern effectively within the federal system.
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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Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which group of the population in Texas is growing most rapidly?
A) Hispanic/Latino
B) Native Americans
C) Black/African Americans
D) White/Anglo
Answer: A
Q2) Before the Civil War, the hill country west and north of San Antonio was settled by
A) Mexican immigrants.
B) German immigrants.
C) Irish immigrants.
D) Anglo immigrants.
Answer: B
Q3) Among the 50 states, Texas currently ranks __________ in population.
A) first
B) second
C) third
D) fifth
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to the national supremacy clause,
A) state laws take precedence over federal laws.
B) federal laws enacted under the U.S. Constitution take precedence over state laws.
C) state constitutions are supreme over the national constitution.
D) law passed by Congress take precedence over the U.S. constitution.
Answer: B
Q2) What part of the U.S. Constitution provides that the citizen of one state is entitled to the same privileges and immunities of a citizen of another state?
A) Article V
B) Article IV
C) the Fifth Amendment
D) the Tenth Amendment
Answer: B
Q3) The 1974 Constitutional Convention was hampered chiefly by A) the absence of strong political leadership.
B) widespread public apathy.
C) an uncertain mission.
D) lack of sufficient funds.
Answer: A
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Houston, a strong mayor-council city, _____________appoints the chief of police and possesses veto power over ordinary majorities in the city council.
A) the city council
B) the mayor
C) the city manager
D) the appointed city administrator
Answer: B
Q2) In Texas, local government comes in different forms, which includes
A) municipal governments, townships, and special districts.
B) county governments, boroughs, and special districts.
C) county government, villages, and cities.
D) special districts, counties, and cities.
Answer: D
Q3) Historically, at-large elections in Texas cities have resulted in A) a greater diversity of representation.
B) more voters to participate.
C) less frequent elections.
D) less diversity of representation.
Answer: D
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Discuss the impact of independent and third-party candidates upon Texas politics. Why do they keep recurring even though it seems like they are never successful? What are the most prominent third parties today?
Q2) The American political party system consists of
A) national, county, city, and state levels.
B) national, state, county, and precinct levels.
C) county, state, local, and national levels.
D) national, precinct, county, and city levels.
Q3) In the Texas general election of 2002, which trio was dubbed, "the dream team" because of their expected appeal to Latino, African American, and Anglo voters?
A) Richards, Bush, and Cruz
B) Sanchez, Kirk, and Sharp
C) Friedman, Strayhorn, and Perry
D) Hutchison, Perry, and Medina
Q4) Political alliances during the Republic of Texas were based on A) personalities. B) institutions.
C) organizations.
D) ideology.
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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) Describe the official qualifications to register and vote in the state of Texas. What changes could you suggest to increase voter eligibility?
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) 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.
Q4) Under what circumstance is a registered voter allowed to vote during "early" voting in Texas?
A) Illness
B) Any reason
C) Being out of the county on election day
D) Being an election official
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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) Actively campaigning in support of candidates to office by an interest group is called A) lobbying.
B) grassroots pressure.
C) electioneering.
D) bribery.
Q2) In electioneering, an interest group would be unlikely to
A) participate actively and publicly in primary campaigns.
B) publicize the voting record of politicians.
C) provide friendly candidates with group membership lists.
D) allow favored candidates to speak at group meetings.
Q3) Members of the Texas Ethics Commission are selected by the A) voters in a general election.
B) Texas State Legislature.
C) Texas Governor.
D) U.S. Congress.
Q4) Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups. Which, if either, seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one over the other?
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8
Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A member of the Texas legislature would be immune from adverse judicial action if he
A) libels a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club.
B) is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session.
C) is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session.
D) slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding.
Q2) Describe the selection, duties, title, and tools of influence of the lieutenant governor in the legislative process. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.
Q3) According to a 1991 state constitutional amendment, changes in compensation for members of the Texas legislature are initiated by
A) the legislature itself.
B) an Ethics Commission recommendation.
C) the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
D) an automatic cost of living inflator.
Q4) Under the Texas Constitution, those serving in the Texas legislature
A) cannot hold another government office.
B) are able to hold more than one government office.
C) can be paid by another governmental entity.
D) cannot earn money from private sector sources.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Prior to assuming office, all of the governor's appointments must constitutionally
A) obtain a security clearance.
B) be approved by the U.S. justice department.
C) be confirmed by the Texas Senate.
D) pass a physical and criminal background check.
Q2) If a member of the Texas Transportation Commission has a question concerning the legal responsibilities of his or her office, to whom would he or she turn for advice?
A) The Texas Attorney General
B) The U.S. Department of Justice
C) The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
D) The Texas Department of Transportation
Q3) Describe the structure, selection, and function of the Texas Railroad Commission.
Q4) Which of the following is not a role of the Texas Land Commissioner?
A) Overseeing the Permanent School Fund
B) Administering the state's severance taxes
C) Chairing the Veteran's Land Board
D) Awarding oil, gas, and sulfur leases
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Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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Sample Questions
Q1) Probably the most important duty of the Texas Railroad Commission from the standpoint of the rest of the United States is
A) regulating the production of oil and natural gas.
B) setting the price of Texas-produced petroleum sold outside Texas.
C) regulating intra-state trucking commerce.
D) regulating the storage of toxic waste in underground salt domes.
Q2) Three factors that are important in determining a state agency's success in achieving its policy goals are
A) elite access, vigor and vision of their leadership, and resources.
B) vigor and vision of the leadership, elite access, and the governor's support.
C) money, political power, and who you know.
D) elitist power, mission of the agency, and the speaker's support.
Q3) The governance of Texas community colleges is performed mainly by
A) local boards of trustees.
B) the Texas Education Agency.
C) county commissioners courts.
D) the State Board of Education.
Q4) Describe the terms deregulation, accountability, devolution, and judicial oversight in the context of the state administration of public programs?
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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 court that has specific authority to decide a particular type of case has
A) concurrent jurisdiction.
B) exclusive jurisdiction.
C) civil jurisdiction.
D) original jurisdiction.
Q2) A court that hears and decides cases tried for the first time has
A) original jurisdiction.
B) appellate jurisdiction.
C) civil jurisdiction.
D) ultimate jurisdiction.
Q3) Wrongful imprisonment by the state in Texas
A) cannot happen under our current system.
B) has been shown to be a possibility.
C) would result in a formal apology from the governor.
D) means that the prisoner is eligible to receive state health coverage.
Q4) The minimum sentence for a capital felony is
A) death by lethal injection.
B) life with the possibility of parole.
C) ninety-nine years to life.
D) life without parole.
Page 12
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Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Grants-in-aid are defined as
A) money from the federal government to the state.
B) state matching of federal funds.
C) money from private foundations to the state.
D) federal money to states based on income tax ratios.
Q2) The problem with denying CHIP benefits to children is that it involves
A) a reduction of federal money to the state.
B) an increase in taxes for the wealthy.
C) an increase in the state's debt.
D) a reduction in hospital taxes for the needy.
Q3) For Texas, federal funds have historically made up what percent of state revenues?
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