Texas State and Local Government Final Test Solutions
Course Introduction
This course offers a comprehensive study of the structures, functions, and processes of Texas state and local government. It examines the Texas Constitution, the roles and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and explores the unique aspects of governance in Texas, including the influence of political culture, parties, and interest groups. The course also analyzes the relationship between state and local governments, focusing on topics such as policy development, fiscal management, urban-rural dynamics, and local governance issues related to cities, counties, and special districts. Through this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Texas government operates and its impact on citizens daily lives.
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) The overwhelming share of alternative fuel strategies in Texas is generated by A) water.
B) fracking.
C) wind.
D) coal.
Answer: C
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) According to the 2010 census, the population of Texas is approximately A) 5 million.
B) 17 million.
C) 25 million.
D) 37 million.
Answer: C
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Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In part, in order to dismantle the Reconstruction efforts of Governor E.J. Davis, the authors of the 1876 Texas Constitution
A) ended segregation in Texas.
B) disallowed taxpayers the right to vote on judgeships.
C) reinstated racial segregation in public education.
D) allowed blacks to attend all white schools.
Answer: C
Q2) The principal historic event surrounding the Texas Constitution of 1861 was
A) joining the American federal Union.
B) joining the southern Confederacy.
C) Reconstruction.
D) a financial depression.
Answer: B
Q3) With regard to federalism, the United States Constitution
A) codifies the reserved powers of the states.
B) provides a specific list of state powers.
C) leaves the reserved powers of the states undefined.
D) specifies all of the reserved powers of the states.
Answer: C
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5143
Sample Questions
Q1) As a result of the Court's 1968 ruling in Avery v. Midland County, Texas counties must
A) elect all officials by single-member districts.
B) ensure there is an equal population in each precinct.
C) do away with the partisan nature of county elections.
D) redistrict every five years.
Answer: B
Q2) Who issues certificates of title showing proof of ownership for motor vehicles?
A) County judge
B) County clerk
C) County tax assessor-collector
D) Texas Department of Transportation
Answer: C
Q3) Which county official is responsible for record-keeping and conducting elections?
A) County clerk
B) County judge
C) County tax-assessor collector
D) County auditor
Answer: A
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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) During the period of Reconstruction that followed the Civil War (1865-1873), the __________ Party controlled Texas politics.
A) Democratic
B) Independent
C) Republican
D) Populist
Q2) 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
Q3) Political parties are not provided for by the national or state constitutions, and yet they play a critical role in how we elect officeholders. Define the concept of a political party, and explain the basic functions performed by political parties.
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6
Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5145
Sample Questions
Q1) The practice of many Texans of voting in the Democratic primary and then voting Republican at the general election is called
A) raiding.
B) crossover voting.
C) swing voting.
D) carpetbagging.
Q2) In which case did the Supreme Court overturn a ban on unlimited independent expenditures made by corporations, unions, and nonprofit organizations in federal elections?
A) Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
B) McConnell v. FEC (2003)
C) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
D) Bush v. Gore (2000)
Q3) Early or absentee voting in Texas for general elections begins how many days prior to the actual date of the election?
A) 7 days
B) 17 days
C) 30 days
D) 14 days
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Page 7
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) Which of the following would a government employee interest group be least likely to pursue?
A) Higher wages
B) Better retirement packages
C) Increased health-care benefits
D) Decreased levels of government spending
Q2) Texas is among a group of states that has strong _________and weak
A) political parties; interest groups
B) centralized power; political parties
C) interest groups; politicians
D) interest groups; political parties
Q3) Political races are most likely to be altered at the last minute as a result of A) campaign laws being changed without public notice.
B) last minute contributions from interest groups.
C) changes in a candidates position on a key issue.
D) court challenges to candidate qualifications.
Q4) Describe the characteristics of an interest group and explain the basic role of interest groups in the political process
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) 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.
Q2) Legislative redistricting for both houses in Texas routinely occurs
A) every even-numbered year.
B) every odd-numbered year.
C) the first odd-numbered year in a decade.
D) the first even-numbered years in a decade.
Q3) Describe the committee system in use in the Texas legislature. Why are the committees important to the legislative process? Explain why committee chairs are considered key players in the process.
Q4) Educationally, most members of the Texas legislature have
A) attended institutions of higher learning.
B) only completed high school.
C) received post-graduate degrees.
D) attended private, not public school.
Q5) Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.
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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) Promoting consistency in accounting across state agencies is the job of the Texas
A) Secretary of State.
B) Comptroller of Public Accounts.
C) Legislative Council.
D) Supreme Court.
Q2) An official public announcement that can be used by the governor is called
A) an ordinance.
B) an executive order.
C) a proclamation.
D) an executive privilege.
Q3) Probably the factor that had most to do with the removal of Governor Ferguson was A) an allegation of moral turpitude.
B) an unsolvable conflict with the University of Texas.
C) his opposition to state-wide prohibition.
D) his improper deposit of $100,000 in state insurance funds.
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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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) Fragmentation of the Texas executive branch into independent agencies was done by various legislatures to
A) avoid the issue of power becoming too centralized.
B) help governor E. J. Davis deal with the former slave owners.
C) promote political patronage and kick-backs.
D) aid the power block of the petroleum producers in the legislature.
Q2) The Supreme Court ruling in the case of Hopwood v. Texas
A) prohibited the use of race in determining admission to a public university or college. B) upheld affirmative action in university admissions.
C) held that the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) unfairly discriminated. D) was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2001.
Q3) Describe the terms deregulation, accountability, devolution, and judicial oversight in the context of the state administration of public programs?
Q4) State agencies within Texas were created by the
A) Texas Constitution.
B) Texas legislature.
C) Texas Constitution and Texas legislature.
D) authority of the Texas governor.
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Page 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) A case involving a business contract falls under which branch of law?
A) Civil
B) Criminal
C) Constitutional
D) Admiralty
Q2) What are the stated purposes for which Texas imprisons felons?
A) To achieve vengeance and pay restitution to crime victims
B) To punish, rehabilitate and isolate offenders, and deter crime
C) To make the prisons self-supporting and isolate offenders from society
D) To eliminate the drug problem and deter other persons from committing crimes
Q3) In a civil jury trial in a state district court, the judge
A) finds the fact, and the jury applies the law.
B) applies the law, and the jury finds on the facts.
C) applies the law and consults with the jury to find the fact.
D) maintains order in the court, while the jury finds the fact and applies the law.
Q4) There are two sides to the tort reform issue; justify both and explain why the groups arrayed on each side of the issue took the positions they did. In your judgment, should punitive damages in tort matters be limited?
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Page 12
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) Identify and describe the various taxes imposed by the state of Texas to raise revenues. Identify the population that each tax targets and an approximation of which taxes raise the most revenues.
Q2) Texas relies heavily on non-tax revenues to meet its fiscal obligations. Identify and describe these non-tax sources of revenue. Which of these non-tax revenues could Texas least afford to lose, and why?
Q3) Which of the following programs allows parents to lock in the cost of future tuition and fees at a state university or college?
A) Teach for Texas Fund
B) Texas Tomorrow Fund
C) Available University Fund
D) Texas Grant towards Excellence Fund
Q4) Which group of Texans pays the most in taxes proportional to their income?
A) Middle class
B) Wealthiest 20 percent
C) Purchasers of luxury cars
D) Poorest 20 percent
Q5) What is the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund in Texas? Describe how it was created and is utilized.
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