Texan Public Policy Solved
Exam Questions
Course Introduction
Texan Public Policy examines the development, implementation, and impact of public policy within the state of Texas. The course explores the unique social, economic, and political contexts shaping policy decisions, emphasizing areas such as education, healthcare, criminal justice, and environmental regulation. Students analyze the role of state institutions, interest groups, and the public in shaping policies, as well as the interaction between federal, state, and local governments in the policymaking process. Through case studies and current events, the course encourages critical assessment of policy outcomes and discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing Texas in addressing contemporary societal issues.
Recommended Textbook
Texas Politics Today 2015 2016 Edition 17th Edition by William Earl Maxwell
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12 Chapters
790 Verified Questions
790 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: Texas Culture and Diversity
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60 Verified Questions
60 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What percentage of Texans say they are "in the middle" between conservative and liberal viewpoints?
A)25
B)49
C)37
D)13
Answer: A
Q2) Texas ranks in the top 10 for
A)educational attainment.
B)homeownership.
C)percentage of children in poverty and levels of inequality between rich and poor.
D)tax revenue per capita.
Answer: C
Q3) Texas is first in the nation for
A)the number of uninsured citizens.
B)average public teacher salary.
C)high school graduation rate.
D)the rate of incarceration.
Answer: A
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Texas in the Federal System
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Governor Perry's desire to eliminate some federal agencies was based on
A)the idea that the federal government should be "reigned in."
B)what he sees as government waste and duplication of efforts by states.
C)his 2012 presidential campaign.
D)all of these choices are true.
Answer: D
Q2) Advocates of expanding Medicaid argue that failing to expand the program will harm _______________.
A)doctors
B)the uninsured
C)Rick Perry
D)tax payers
Answer: B
Q3) What did President Bill Clinton's Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 allow the federal government to do?
A)Get around the law
B)Take credit for legislation without funding
C)Obligate the states to implement certain policies
D)All of these choices are true.
Answer: D
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Chapter 3: The Texas Constitution in Perspective
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60 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which is another name for the merit selection of judges?
A)The Missouri Plan
B)The Mississippi Plan
C)The Montana Plan
D)The Massachusetts Plan
Answer: A
Q2) Which method of election permits voters to determine if an ordinance or statute will go into effect?
A)Initiative
B)Referendum
C)Popular recall
D)Electoral vote
Answer: B
Q3) The constitutions of the Texas Republic and first state constitutions are products of A)plantation culture.
B)Anglo protestant slaveholders.
C)some provisions of Spanish-Mexican law.
D)all of these choices are true.
Answer: D
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Voting and Elections
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Sample Questions
Q1) One reason why Hispanics have yet to wield a significant impact on state politics is
A)harassment at the polls.
B)voter identification laws.
C)low voter turnout.
D)poll taxes.
Q2) How has the growth of the two-party system in Texas created problems for the Democratic Party?
Q3) All special elections in the state
A)are nonpartisan elections.
B)are held only after a primary election.
C)require only a plurality of the votes.
D)require run-offs.
Q4) Describe the development of law governing write-In candidates.
Q5) The traditionalistic political culture is especially characteristic of which Texas area?
A)East Texas
B)Northwest Texas
C)Central Texas
D)West Texas
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Chapter 5: Political Parties
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Sample Questions
Q1) By 2014,Republicans had regained a partisan edge among voters who identify with a specific party in part because of the
A)changing views of middle- and upper-class white Americans.
B)rapid growth of the Hispanic community.
C)death of the Greatest Generation.
D)support from the NAACP.
Q2) Discuss how the demographic changes in Texas affect the future success of political parties?
Q3) If a third-party candidate fails to garner 5 percent of the vote in a previous election to get on the ballot,they must
A)collect 45,000 signatures from eligible voters.
B)pay a filing fee.
C)petition the state to be placed on the ballot.
D)cast a "write-in" candidate vote.
Q4) One particular form of conservatism is A)libertarianism.
B)democracy.
C)federalism.
D)socialism.
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Chapter 6: Interest Groups
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68 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements about interest groups is incorrect?
A)Interest groups are considered political parties that nominate candidates for office.
B)Interest groups seek to influence the outputs of government.
C)Interest groups are not part of the government but seek to influence the government.
D)Interest groups must work with political parties to achieve their goals.
Q2) Direct contact between an interest group representative and an officer of government is an example of A)lobbying.
B)pressure groups.
C)electioneering.
D)advocacy.
Q3) Labor unions seek legislation for all of the following except A)making it easier to organize.
B)enforcing workplace safety packages.
C)supporting the "right to work laws."
D)obtaining generous workers' compensation.
Q4) What changes would you make to the Texas Ethics Commission to address the criticisms made by the Center for Public Integrity?
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8
Chapter 7: The Legislature: Organization and Structure
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Sample Questions
Q1) The _________ provides bill analyses,floor reports,issue focus reports,and interim news to legislators and the public.
A)House Outreach Committee
B)House Research Organization
C)House Internal Affairs Committee
D)House Committee on Committees
Q2) The most visible individuals in the Texas legislature are the
A)presiding officers.
B)the floor leaders.
C)legislative whips.
D)senate and house clerks.
Q3) The presiding officer of the senate does not have the authority to A)interpret rules and points of order.
B)recognize senators who wish to speak.
C)vote in the event of a tie.
D)provide a proxy vote in order to have a quorum.
Q4) Discuss the importance of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.Why does the TSAC exist,and what function do they perform? Be sure to discuss how the commission is organized and the major responsibilities of the commission.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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Sample Questions
Q1) __________ makes recommendations as to the alteration,termination,or continuation of about 130 state boards,commissions,and agencies.
A)The Sunset Advisory Commission
B)An ombudsman
C)The Legislative Oversight Committee
D)The Governor's Accountability Board
Q2) The governor's ability to influence the making and executing of government policy depends on all the following except his or her
A)bargaining skills.
B)ability to broker effectively between competing interests.
C)persuasiveness.
D)prior experience as a legislator.
Q3) Contrast the formal and informal powers of the Texas governor.Which set of powers are most effectual and why?
Q4) Which term best describes the executive branch?
A)Fragile
B)Fragmented
C)Centralized
D)Diversified
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Chapter 9: The Judiciary
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements about execution in Texas is correct?
A)Texas has executed individuals who were juveniles at the time of the crime.
B)Texas has executed fewer individuals than any other state.
C)Texas has executed about the same number of individuals as any other state.
D)The death penalty is not legal in Texas.
Q2) Municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over the following except A)violation of city ordinance.
B)class C misdemeanors.
C)fine of $500 or less.
D)jail sentence.
Q3) Contrast the characteristics,duties,and procedures of grand juries and trial juries.
Q4) The merit plan for selecting judges is sometimes referred to as the A)Texas plan.
B)Missouri plan.
C)Alabama plan.
D)New Jersey plan.
Q5) Trace a criminal case from its original jurisdiction through to the appropriate court of last resort.
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Chapter 10: Law and Due Process
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Sample Questions
Q1) Probable cause in Texas is usually determined by which of the following?
A)Justices of the peace
B)Constitutional county judges
C)County judges-at-law
D)Supreme Court justices
Q2) Discuss the relationship between race,gender,and crime.Offer specific examples.
Q3) What legal procedure guarantees fairness before the government may deprive a person of life,liberty,or property?
A)Due process
B)Probable cause
C)Compulsory process
D)Exclusionary rule
Q4) A court order requiring that the prisoner be presented in person and legal cause shown for imprisonment is called which of the following?
A)Writ of certiorari
B)Writ of mandamus
C)Writ of error
D)writ of habeas corpus
Q5) What is tort? What are the drawbacks and benefits to tort reform?
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Chapter 11: Local Government
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is considered a restriction on the powers of the mayor in some strong-mayor council systems of government?
A)Nonpartisan elections
B)Ethics
C)Campaign finance laws
D)All of these choices are true.
Q2) Which of the following is not a power of a county judge?
A)Performing marriage ceremonies
B)Serving as the head of civil defense
C)Exercising judicial authority over felony cases
D)Conducting hearings for beer and wine permits
Q3) The relationship between states and local governments follows from the fact that states have a _________ system of government.
A)confederacy
B)unitary
C)federal
D)federation
Q4) Describe the major forms of municipal government.List the characteristics of each different type.
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Chapter 12: Public Policy in Texas
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following did the Trans-Texas Corridor not include?
A)Superhighways
B)Railways
C)Utility corridors
D)Housing
Q2) Declining marginal propensity to consume means
A)as income increases,spending increases proportionately.
B)as income increases,a smaller percentage is spent on consumer goods.
C)as income increases,a larger percentage is spent on consumer goods.
D)as income decreases,spending remains constant as a percentage of income.
Q3) Which of the following taxes is not considered one of the most effective at raising revenue?
A)Property
B)General sales
C)Narrowed based
D)Income
Q4) How has the financial approach of the state toward education impacted schools and universities in Texas? What are the potential long-term consequences of underfunding education?
Q5) Describe the role of the THECB in Texas.
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