Texas Politics Review Questions
Course Introduction
Texas Politics examines the political systems, institutions, and processes that define government in the state of Texas. The course explores the historical evolution of Texas politics, the state constitution, and the unique political culture that shapes policy making. Students will analyze the structure and function of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches within Texas, as well as the role of local governments. Key topics include party dynamics, electoral behavior, interest groups, and contemporary public policy issues facing the state. Through critical discussion and case studies, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how Texass distinctive political landscape influences both state and national affairs.
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) Prior to the Civil War, more than one-half of the Anglo residents in Texas had migrated from
A) Southern states.
B) Mexico.
C) California.
D) New England.
Answer: A
Q2) 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
Q3) Which statement defines the concept of public policy?
A) It is set in motion by the media.
B) It rarely involves conflict.
C) It is of no importance to most citizens.
D) It often involves governmental and nongovernmental groups.
Answer: D
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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) The importance of the Texas Grange was that it
A) dominated the Convention of 1868, which wrote the 1869 constitution.
B) advocated large public subsidies to railways.
C) supported African American political, economic, and social equality.
D) advocated "retrenchment and reform"-a weak and cheap government.
Answer: D
Q2) The Texas Constitution of 1869 provided for all of the following, except
A) annual legislative sessions.
B) gubernatorial appointment of judges.
C) more centralized state government.
D) six-year term for all executive offices.
Answer: D
Q3) In its capacity as fundamental law, the Texas Constitution
A) spells out the size and salary of the legislature.
B) creates governmental institutions, assigns them powers, and places limitations on them.
C) determines the property tax rate.
D) provides for revision once in each generation.
Answer: B
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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) 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
Q2) Elected county officials include
A) sheriff, judge, and auditor.
B) airport manager, hospital manager, and librarian.
C) sheriff, commissioners, and clerk.
D) clerk, airport manager, and auditor.
Answer: C
Q3) In theory, the council-manager form of government has
A) a strong mayor with a weak city manager.
B) a weak city manager and a strong council.
C) a weak city council and a strong city manager.
D) a weak mayor.
Answer: D
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Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5144
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following would be performed at a party's precinct convention?
A) Nomination of delegates to the county convention
B) Selection of the presidential nominee
C) Adoption of the party platform
D) Election of the state executive committee
Q2) Political alliances during the Republic of Texas were based on
A) personalities.
B) institutions.
C) organizations.
D) ideology.
Q3) Concerning the "left-right" political divide in Texas, which term would most likely describe a politician that is generally opposed to government-managed or government-subsidized programs?
A) Socialist
B) Conservative
C) Liberal
D) Fascist
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?
Page 6
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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) Manipulating legislative district lines to favor a political party or group is referred to as
A) grandfathering.
B) gerrymandering.
C) cracking and packing.
D) carpetbagging.
Q2) A primary system in which voters must pre-register their party affiliation is referred to as a(n)
A) blanket primary.
B) open primary.
C) closed primary
D) runoff primary.
Q3) A device used in Texas to prevent many lower-income persons and blacks from voting during much of the twentieth century was the
A) grandfather clause.
B) good character test.
C) poll tax.
D) white primary.
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5146
Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas Ethics Act of 1991 prohibited
A) interest groups from paying more than $1,500 to their lobbyists in any session.
B) lobbyists from spending more than $500 in entertainment expenses per legislator.
C) lobbyists from making contributions to legislative political campaigns.
D) legislators from accepting campaign contributions from interest groups.
Q2) 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?
Q3) Which of the following techniques do interest groups use to influence policy decisions?
A) Lobbying
B) Campaign financing
C) Providing favors and gifts
D) All of the above are true.
Q4) A triangular relationship is said to exist in Texas government. What are the elements of this triangle? How do they benefit one another? In your judgment, does this relationship pose a problem for democratic government? Defend your answer.
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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) Describe the selection, duties, and tools of influence of the "speaker" of the House of Representatives. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.
Q2) In Texas, elections under single-member districts increase the probability that
A) black or Hispanic candidates will be elected.
B) whites will continue to dominate elections.
C) election campaign costs will increase.
D) sitting incumbents will be defeated.
Q3) What are the constitutional provisions regarding regular and special sessions of the Texas legislature From the perspective of a citizen, do you feel these provisions meet the needs of today's society?
Q4) In the Texas House, a committee that considers legislation and recommends whether it should or should not pass is called a(n)
A) procedural committee.
B) substantive (standing) committee.
C) interim committee.
D) joint (two-house) committee.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5148
Sample Questions
Q1) The size of the Texas governor's staff has recently A) been shrunk by Governor Perry to 266 persons.
B) been limited to 185 through an amendment to the Texas Constitution.
C) shrunk chiefly because governors have become less active recently.
D) increased due to the large number of federal grants.
Q2) The comptroller of public accounts is constitutionally required to A) offer revenue bonds for sale when the state is out of money.
B) reduce spending for all programs when funding gets within 30% of being empty.
C) stop payments to those who have been on welfare support for two years.
D) certify all spending bills passed by the legislature.
Q3) Failure of the Senate to confirm a gubernatorial recess appointment prevents the governor from
A) reappointing that person to the same position.
B) appointing anyone to that position in the future.
C) reappointing that person to another position.
D) calling a special session to appoint that person.
Q4) List and discuss the principal responsibilities of the Texas Commissioner of Land and Agriculture.
Q5) Identify and discuss the various roles and functions of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Page 10
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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) 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) Elimination of government restrictions and allowing free market forces to prevail is called
A) devolution.
B) co-opting.
C) gerrymandering.
D) deregulation.
Q3) The Texas Education Agency is headed by the A) State Board of Education.
B) superintendent of schools.
C) local school boards.
D) commissioner 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
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5150
Sample Questions
Q1) Grand juries in Texas are composed of __________ members.
A) six
B) twelve
C) both six and twelve
D) forty
Q2) Which statement regarding the appellate division of the Texas courts is incorrect?
A) All courts have more than one justice.
B) All justices are popularly elected for six-year terms.
C) District courts are appellate when hearing appeals of probate cases.
D) Justices must be attorneys with prior legal or judicial experience.
Q3) Describe the scientific testing process that may exonerate or confirm a capital felony conviction. Explain how those exonerated are compensated by the state of Texas.
Q4) Which would not be subject to enhancement under the Texas Penal Code?
A) A crime committed by a street gang
B) A crime motivated by racial hatred
C) A crime committed by a repeat offender
D) A charge of two offenses in the same criminal episode
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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) Describe in detail the procedure for developing and approving a state budget in Texas. Include the roles played by those involved from both the executive and legislative branches.
Q2) The largest portion of revenue for the State of Texas comes from
A) gambling and lottery funds.
B) federal grants-in-aid.
C) local property taxes.
D) various state taxes.
Q3) The State Auditor is appointed by and serves at the will of the
A) Texas Governor.
B) Secretary of State.
C) Legislative Budget Board.
D) Legislative Audit Committee.
Q4) Unlike the federal budget, a budget passed by the Texas Legislature
A) must pass both the house and senate.
B) requires a four-fifths vote to override a veto.
C) authorizes spending for a two-year period.
D) must go to the chief executive for approval.
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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