Texas State and Local Politics Solved Exam Questions
Course Introduction
Texas State and Local Politics explores the structures, functions, and dynamics of government within the state of Texas, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between state and local institutions. The course examines the Texas Constitution, political culture, and the unique characteristics that set Texas apart from other states. It covers the roles of the Governor, Legislature, judiciary, and administrative agencies, as well as issues related to policy-making, economic development, and social services on the state and local level. Students also analyze the influence of interest groups, political parties, and electoral processes, gaining insight into how citizens engage with their government and how decisions at the state and local level affect communities across Texas.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle Brown
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Page 2
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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Q1) Which of the following is true regarding the Interior Lowlands region of Texas?
A) It is the greenest region of the state.
B) It is home to the state's chief petrochemical industries.
C) It includes Dallas and Fort Worth.
D) It is mostly known for its large-scale cotton and grain production.
Answer: C
Q2) The process that involves conflict by groups seeking to influence public policy, is referred to as
A) politics.
B) public policy.
C) government.
D) justice.
Answer: A
Q3) The North American Free Trade Agreement (1993)
A) reduced tariffs between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
B) created a superhighway from Mexico to Canada.
C) lowered vehicle emission standards for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
D) opened trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Answer: A
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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Q1) The Texas Bill of Rights
A) is shorter than that in the federal Constitution.
B) contains a lower level of protection than does the federal Constitution.
C) has been deleted from the Texas Constitution because most rights are now federally protected.
D) contains a provision guaranteeing equal rights to women-something not found in the federal Constitution.
Answer: D
Q2) According to Patrick G. Williams and Barry A. Crouch, the negativity against E.J. Davis is the result of
A) reactions by former slave owners toward the freedom of black slaves.
B) the defeat of "Texicans" at the Alamo.
C) T.R. Fehrenbach's negative characterization of slaves.
D) Governor Davis's support of slavery and the Confederacy.
Answer: A
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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Page 4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
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Q1) Approximately how many incorporated municipalities are there in Texas?
A) 254
B) 350
C) 900
D) 1,200
Answer: D
Q2) The most widely used approach thus far in Texas to solving metropolitan area problems has been
A) constitutional amendment.
B) the creation of metro governments.
C) weakening municipal governments and strengthening the counties.
D) the creation of councils of governments.
Answer: D
Q3) If city voters want to repeal an existing city ordinance, they may do so through a(n) A) initiative.
B) recall.
C) vote of no confidence.
D) referendum.
Answer: D
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
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Q1) 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.
Q2) In 2008, one reason why Obama won in Harris, Travis, Bexar, and Dallas counties was because of
A) strong Republican support.
B) strong conservative Tea Party support.
C) solid support from independents and right-wing Republicans.
D) solid support from Latino and African American voters.
Q3) After Reconstruction, which political party dominated in Texas for more than 100 years?
A) Whig
B) Democratic
C) Republican
D) Libertarian
Q4) Provide a thorough understanding of the role of the temporary party organization. Begin with the primary elections, and trace the events performed by the temporary part of the organizations in preparation for a general election.
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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Q1) Which of the following does not describe Texas campaign finance regulations for state offices?
A) There are no dollar limits on contributions.
B) There are no disclosure requirements by candidates.
C) Some contributions must be made through PACs.
D) The Texas Ethics Commission is responsible for enforcing state laws.
Q2) According to studies, negative commercials
A) are generally not aired by the networks.
B) draw voter preference away from the candidate being attacked.
C) result in a decrease of support for the candidate financing the ads.
D) have no measurable effect on voter support.
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.
Q4) Identify and describe some of the elements of a successful campaign for public office. Which elements appear to be in need of reform and what would those reforms look like?
Page 7
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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Q1) Describe the characteristics of an interest group and explain the basic role of interest groups in the political process
Q2) 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.
Q3) Distinguish between an "economic" interest group and a "business" interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "labor" groups more closely resemble?
Q4) 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.
Q5) Any organization is considered an interest group when it A) registers with the Texas Secretary of State. B) selects an officer to preside over the body. C) seeks to influence a governmental policy decision. D) achieves more than twenty-five members.
Page 8
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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Q1) Rules relating to the operations of the Texas Senate would be dealt with in a
A) simple resolution.
B) concurrent resolution.
C) joint resolution.
D) appropriations bill.
Q2) The State Auditor of Texas is appointed by the
A) Comptroller of Public Accounts.
B) Legislative Audit Committee.
C) Legislative Budget Board.
D) State Treasurer.
Q3) How long does the governor have following the adjournment of the legislature in which to act on bills?
A) Ten working days
B) Twenty calendar days
C) One month
D) Ninety days
Q4) 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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Q1) The Texas Veteran's Land Board and state veterans cemeteries fall under the office of the
A) Texas Land Commissioner.
B) U.S. Department of Defense.
C) Texas Agriculture Commission.
D) Adjutant General, Texas Military Forces.
Q2) The state's current executive structure shows the influence of anti-Reconstruction forces that opposed the policies of
A) S. W. T. Lanham.
B) Oscar Branch Colquitt.
C) E.J. Davis.
D) Andrew Jackson Hamilton.
Q3) The Texas governor's effectiveness relies on all the following, except his/her
A) ability to raise money.
B) formal constitutional powers.
C) personality and persuasiveness.
D) position on conservative issues.
Q4) Given the structural and constitutional weaknesses imposed on the Texas governor, what attributes or strategies do successful governors employ?
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Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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Q1) "Red tape" contributes to the image of most bureaucracies as A) in need of reform.
B) dictatorial.
C) inefficient.
D) out of touch.
Q2) Which insurance rates are regulated by the Texas commissioner of insurance?
A) Individual life insurance
B) Hospitalization insurance
C) Medicare supplement insurance
D) Homeowners' insurance
Q3) In your judgment, which is in the best interest of the state: to compel unemployed on state assistance to obtain a public service job and provide child care for their children, or subsidize the care for their children? Would your answer vary depending on whether or not you were a taxpayer?
Q4) In Texas, education, health, and human services expenditures account for __________ of the state's budget.
A) one-half
B) three-fourths
C) one-third
D) one fourth
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Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Texas, nearly all judges are chosen by a A) legislative committee.
B) partisan election.
C) non-partisan election.
D) nominations council.
Q2) State district courts have civil jurisdiction in all the following instances, except A) divorce.
B) contested wills.
C) land titles.
D) municipal ordinances.
Q3) According to statistics compiled by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, two characteristics shared by inmates in state prisons are A) illiteracy and mental retardation.
B) poor education levels and substance abuse.
C) mental retardation and having been abused as a child.
D) having been abused as a child and illiteracy.
Q4) Describe the steps the state must follow to obtain a felony conviction. Include any pre-trial, trial, and post trial procedures. Include the role of juries in your answer.
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Page 12
Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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Q1) Texas has one of the most __________ state tax systems in the United States.
A) regressive
B) progressive
C) responsible
D) expensive
Q2) The state's Economic Stabilization Fund is
A) funded by proceeds from the state lottery.
B) used to fund local government operations.
C) used to supplement federal grants when those decline.
D) sometimes called the "rainy day" fund.
Q3) 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).
Q4) 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.
Page 13
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