Government and Politics in Texas
Midterm Exam
Course Introduction
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the structure, functions, and processes of government and politics in Texas. Students will explore the Texas Constitution, the organization of state and local governments, the roles of the governor and legislature, the judiciary, and administrative agencies. The course also covers the influence of political culture, political parties, interest groups, and elections in shaping public policy and governance in Texas. Emphasis is placed on the unique aspects of Texas politics, including its historical development, economic influences, demographic trends, and contemporary challenges faced by the state.
Recommended Textbook Government and Politics in the Lone Star State 8th Edition by L. Tucker Gibson
Available Study Resources on Quizplus 13 Chapters
1040 Verified Questions
1040 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/454 Page 2
Chapter 1: The social and economic milieu of texas politics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8055
Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas mythology includes the Texas Rangers, but the cowboy plays only a small role.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) Texas currently has the ________ largest economy in the nation.
A) first
B) second
C) third
D) fourth
E) fifth Answer: B
Q3) The Upper East Texas Region includes Tyler, the "City of Roses."
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q4) The South Texas Border Region has been hurt by NAFTA.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Page 3
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 2: The texas constitution
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8056
Sample Questions
Q1) When Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, the state constitution was not revised.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) What was one reason cited by the text for the conflict between Mexico and Texas in 1836?
A) Mexico failed to protect Texas from incursions by the United States army.
B) Mexico had imposed the institution of slavery.
C) Texas supported the deposed President Santa Anna.
D) A new Mexican constitution established a unitary system of government.
E) New settlers arrived from southern Europe, invited by the Mexican government.
Answer: D
Q3) All but one of the Texas Constitutions were written in a distinct historical setting. A)True
B)False
Answer: False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 4
Chapter 3: Intergovernmental relationships
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8057
Sample Questions
Q1) In Printz v.United States, the U.S.Supreme Court struck down provisions of the ________ that required background checks on handgun purchases.
A) Defense of Hunting Act
B) Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
C) Saturday Night Specials Act
D) Ronald Reagan Gun-Free Zone Act
E) Handgun and Rifle Limitations Act
Answer: B
Q2) In the past twenty years, Congress has
A) increased the number of mandates and preemptions forced on the states.
B) decreased the number of mandates and preemptions forced on the states.
C) eliminated mandates and preemptions forced on the states.
D) superseded mandates and preemptions with the concept of federalism.
E) decreased the federal role in policymaking in favor of the states.
Answer: A
Q3) Texas has experienced little economic benefit from the North American Free Trade Agreement.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Interest groups and political power in texas
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8058
Sample Questions
Q1) Define hyperpluralism.Describe possible threats of this development to the political system.
Q2) It is estimated that ________ of Americans belong to some type of organization.
A) 25 percent
B) 50 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 85 percent
E) 90 percent
Q3) Organized labor has historically been more powerful than business interest groups in Texas.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Interest groups must decide which candidates they will back through campaign contributions, organized support, and endorsements.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Discuss at least five resources interest groups have at their command.Explain how they employ these resources to reach their objectives and how they impact the success of a group.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: The mass media in texas politics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8059
Sample Questions
Q1) The primary source of news for most Texans is now
A) the local newspaper.
B) the Internet.
C) television.
D) radio.
E) blogs.
Q2) The intent of the Open Meetings and Public Information Acts is to insure that
A) the public's business is conducted in public.
B) all records are made available to the public.
C) the public's business can be conducted in private.
D) the public is allowed to be present when two or more legislators meet for any reason.
E) the public can participate in all governmental meetings.
Q3) Stories about government scandal and political corruption are rarely displayed on A)True
B)False
Q4) Describe at least three ways in which modern political campaigns are shaped by the mass media.Give specific examples that compare modern campaigns and the modern media to past campaigns and earlier types of media.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 7
Chapter 6: The party system in
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8060
Sample Questions
Q1) The 254 commissioner's courts in Texas create the voting precincts.In 2010, there were about
A) 1,810 precincts.
B) 2,540 precincts.
C) 5,500 precincts.
D) 7,350 precincts.
E) 8,150 precincts.
Q2) Voting preferences are always based on gender.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Define political parties.How do they differ from interest groups?
Q4) Public policy is the result of groups organizing around issues and keeping pressure on
A) interest groups.
B) elected officials.
C) party leaders.
D) business leaders.
E) the governor.
Q5) Characterize Republican voters in Texas and contrast them to Democratic voters.How are minorities realigning politically?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: Elections, campaigns, and political behavior
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8061
Sample Questions
Q1) No one knows precisely how much money is spent on political campaigns in Texas because there is no single place where all this information is collected.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Why have minority groups such as Hispanics and African Americans criticized the current primary system in Texas?
A) They argue that the county apparatus that manages the primary favors Caucasians. B) They believe that primary results can be easily distorted as they are not regulated by the government.
C) They argue that the absolute majority requirement discriminates against their candidates.
D) They believe that votes for their candidates are often contested and dismissed by party officials.
E) They argue that the primary system should be changed to a double ballot system.
Q3) Define racial gerrymandering and at-large elections.How does each continue to reduce the political power of minority groups in Texas?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
9
Chapter 8: The texas legislature
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8062
Sample Questions
Q1) In 2003, the first Republican House Speaker since Reconstruction was
A) Tom DeLay.
B) Gib Lewis.
C) David Dewhurst.
D) Tom Craddick.
E) Bob Bullock
Q2) When the legislature is in session, access to the floor of each chamber on the second floor of the Capitol is restricted to
A) lawmakers, spectators, and protestors of a bill being considered during the session.
B) certain other state officials, spectators, lawmakers, and retired officials.
C) accredited media representatives, lawyers, spectators, and lawmakers.
D) spectators, certain other state officials, lawyers, and lawmakers.
E) lawmakers, accredited media representatives, and certain other state officials.
Q3) Equality in redistricting finally arrived in Texas as a result of state court intervention in 1975.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 10
Chapter 9: The texas executive
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8063
Sample Questions
Q1) Senatorial ________ is an unwritten norm that allows a senator to block the governor's nomination of an individual who lives in the senator's district.
A) prerogative
B) preemption
C) courtesy
D) right
E) obligation
Q2) Until Republican Bill Clements won the election in 1978, almost every governor since 1874 had been a Democrat.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Though historical records on gubernatorial vetoes are not complete, so far Governor ________, having vetoed 259 bills, seems to hold the record.
A) Dan Moody
B) Bill Clements
C) Rick Perry
D) Ross Sterling
E) Ann Richards
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: The bureaucracy and policy implementation
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8064
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is the least likely obstacle to policy implementation in Texas?
A) The governor does not choose to manage the agency in charge.
B) Legislative policies may be misdirected without the potential to produce results.
C) There is too much influence from the special interests.
D) Economic and social conditions can change, making the policy obsolete.
E) Policymakers have been unwilling or unable to resolve complex problems.
Q2) The ________ is exempt from sunset review.
A) Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
B) Public Utility Commission
C) General Land Office
D) Texas Residential Construction Commission
E) Department of Insurance
Q3) Politics has been eliminated in the hiring and promotion of public employees.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Texas has adopted revolving-door restrictions.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 12
Chapter 11: The judicial system in texas
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8065
Sample Questions
Q1) The federal judiciary has ordered sweeping improvements in
A) the state highway system.
B) the allocation of state holidays.
C) the state prison system.
D) the state constitution.
E) the state environmental agency.
Q2) The authority of a court to try or resolve a civil lawsuit or a felony prosecution being heard for the first time is known as
A) appellate jurisdiction.
B) original jurisdiction.
C) supreme jurisdiction.
D) bifurcated jurisdiction.
E) de novo jurisdiction.
Q3) At the highest appellate level, Texas has a bifurcated court system that sends criminal and civil cases to the same court.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Describe the jury system in Texas.Include the types of juries, their duties, and requirements for eligibility.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 13
Chapter 12: Local government in texas: cities, towns, counties, and special districts
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8066
Sample Questions
Q1) ____________ can provide funding for revenue bonds a city can use.
A) A city-owned parking garage
B) An estate tax
C) A municipal bank or credit union
D) Tolls on a state highway
E) A tax on imports from other states
Q2) Contrast the mayor-council and council-manager forms of city government.In your opinion, which provides the most responsive and professional government? Defend your answer.
Q3) The most important decision that a school board makes is the appointment of the
A) principal of each campus.
B) director of academic programs.
C) football coach.
D) school superintendent.
E) head of the board.
Q4) Prior to Texas independence, local government was organized, under both Spanish and Mexican law, around the municipality.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 14
Chapter 13: Contemporary public policy issues in texas
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/8067
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements is correct regarding regular sessions of the Texas legislature?
A) A one-year budget must be written.
B) A two-year budget must be written.
C) Sessions may be canceled if the first year budget produces a surplus.
D) Budgets are not discussed in regular sessions.
E) A three-year budget must be written.
Q2) According to the 2010 American Community Survey, which is the correct statement regarding poverty in Texas?
A) Poverty is considered to be an acceptable consequence of immigration.
B) Poverty is not a concern to Texans living in rural counties.
C) 34.1 of Texans live in poverty.
D) 16.3% of Texans consider themselves poor.
E) 17.9% of Texans live in poverty.
Q3) Texas Southern University is located in Houston.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How would you evaluate the success of education reform after Edgewood v.Kirby?
Q5) In what way was tuition deregulation in Texas regressive?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 15