State and Local Government Exam Review
Course Introduction
This course examines the structures, functions, and processes of state and local governments within the United States. Students will explore the unique roles state and local governments play in the federal system, including their authority over public policy areas such as education, law enforcement, health, and transportation. Emphasis is placed on the intergovernmental relationships, fiscal management, policymaking processes, political actors, and the challenges faced by subnational governments in responding to the needs of diverse communities. Through case studies and analysis, students will gain insight into the impact of state and local decision-making on citizens daily lives and the importance of civic engagement at these levels.
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) Of the 50 states, Texas ranks __________ in land area.
A) first
B) second
C) fifth
D) tenth
Answer: B
Q2) In 2011, land-based industries in Texas experienced record financial losses as a result of
A) increased taxes.
B) a drought.
C) immigration.
D) fraud.
Answer: B
Q3) Approximately what percent of Texans currently live in metropolitan areas?
A) 20 percent
B) 51 percent
C) 69 percent
D) 85 percent
Answer: D
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5142
Sample Questions
Q1) The principal historic event surrounding the Texas Constitution of 1869 was A) joining the southern Confederacy.
B) meeting the demands of Reconstruction.
C) independence.
D) Jacksonian democracy.
Answer: B
Q2) Congress has expanded the scope of the national government through its grant of A) delegated powers.
B) implied powers.
C) inherent powers.
D) reserved powers.
Answer: B
Q3) The regulation of commerce among the several states by the U.S. Congress is an example of a(n) A) delegated power.
B) implied power.
C) inherent power.
D) reserved power.
Answer: A
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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) School districts in Texas must operate under the guidelines of A) the federal government.
B) the Texas Education Agency.
C) relevant state law.
D) All of the above are true.
Answer: D
Q2) The unincorporated area outside a city's boundaries into which it may annex is referred to as
A) extraterritorial jurisdiction.
B) metropolitan area.
C) municipality.
D) merged territory.
Answer: A
Q3) In Texas, local government comes in different forms, which includes A) municipal governments, townships, and special districts.
B) county governments, boroughs, and special districts.
C) county government, villages, and cities.
D) special districts, counties, and cities.
Answer: D
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5144
Sample Questions
Q1) Precinct conventions in Texas are usually
A) heavily attended.
B) lightly or sparsely attended.
C) held at times other than after the polls close.
D) held in odd numbered years.
Q2) 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?
Q3) Describe the strengths of the Democratic and Republic parties by region in Texas. Provide an understanding of why each party has certain strengths in particular regions within the state. Based on these understandings, and with changing demographic patterns within the state, speculate as to the future potential of each party within the state of Texas.
Q4) In which of the following decades did the Republican Party in Texas begin to win almost all of the statewide offices it challenged?
A) 1950s
B) 1970s
C) 1990s
D) 2000s
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5145
Sample Questions
Q1) Describe the provisions in the Texas Election Code relating to the conducting, financing, and scheduling for primary, general, and special elections.
Q2) The Latino community showed its political strength in May of 2010 by
A) holding a support rally for the Arizona Immigration law.
B) contributing millions of dollars to the Republican Party.
C) organizing the new Raza Unida Party.
D) having 28,000 protesters in Dallas opposing the Arizona immigration law.
Q3) Which U.S. amendment prevents states from requiring payment of a poll tax as a condition for voting?
A) Fifteenth Amendment
B) Thirteenth Amendment
C) Twenty-Fourth Amendment
D) Fourteenth Amendment
Q4) Compared to the rest of the country, voter turnout in Texas is
A) higher than the national average.
B) about the same as the national average.
C) lower than the national average.
D) not calculated.
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following goals would a business organization be least likely to pursue?
A) Lower state or federal taxes
B) Minimum government regulations
C) Fewer concessions to labor unions
D) Increased safety and environmental standards
Q2) The details of political contributions and expenditures of candidates must be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission
A) between two and seven times each year.
B) every seven years.
C) between four and seven times each biennium.
D) only once during the campaign process.
Q3) Ethnic minorities have found that their most successful political strategy has been to
A) dominate one of the major political parties.
B) organize into political interest groups.
C) elect their members to statewide public office.
D) seek amendments to the Texas Constitution.
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/5147
Sample Questions
Q1) Lobbyists must register with, and make state-required lobbying reports to the A) office of the Texas Governor.
B) Texas Commission on Toxic Waste.
C) Texas Ethics Commission.
D) Texas Lobbyists Commission.
Q2) Which of the following is not correct regarding the Texas House of Representatives?
A) It has fewer standing committees than in the Senate.
B) Appropriations and Ways and Means committees are particularly powerful.
C) Membership on most committees is based partially on seniority.
D) No representative may serve on more than three substantive committees.
Q3) Which of the following is a true statement regarding senators in the Texas legislature?
A) There are two from each state senate district.
B) They are limited to no more than two four-year terms.
C) They are limited to a total of ten years in office.
D) They all stand for election the year following redistricting.
Q4) 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.
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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 strongest legislative power of the governor is his A) "message power."
B) veto authority.
C) prorogation of bills.
D) special session power.
Q2) Describe the constitutional qualifications for the office of governor of Texas. What other (non-constitutional) qualifications should a person possess to attain the office?
Q3) The governor's "military power" extends to all the following organizations, except the A) Texas State Guard.
B) Texas Army National Guard..
C) Texas Air National Guard.
D) Texas Maritime Commission.
Q4) The __________ appoints the Public Safety Commission's five members, subject to Senate approval.
A) Secretary of State
B) Attorney General
C) Governor of Texas
D) Department of Public Safety
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Page 10
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) Assume that you are the 29-year-old parent of two children. You are recently divorced and in good physical condition, but have completed only the tenth grade. To what public assistance are you and your children (ages 8 years and 13 months) now entitled, and from which agencies does this assistance come?
Q2) Which of the following is not true regarding the Texas Education Agency?
A) It administers the Foundation School Program Fund.
B) It temporarily assumes control of school districts that fall below standards.
C) It assumes control of school districts in violation of the Texas Education Code.
D) It creates attendance zones for all public elementary and secondary schools in Texas.
Q3) Describe the terms deregulation, accountability, devolution, and judicial oversight in the context of the state administration of public programs?
Q4) Functions of the Texas Railroad Commission would include all the following, except A) ensuring pipeline safety.
B) setting natural gas rates in rural areas.
C) breaking up railroad monopolies.
D) overseeing the capping of abandoned oil wells.
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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) The agency created to investigate complaints regarding faulty evidence in a criminal case is the
A) Criminal Justice Committee.
B) Texas Forensic Science Commission.
C) Texas Criminal Justice System.
D) Committee to Stop the Death Penalty.
Q2) In Texas, nearly all judges are chosen by a
A) legislative committee.
B) partisan election.
C) non-partisan election.
D) nominations council.
Q3) The 1990s and early 2000s have seen much heated debate on tort reform. What is a tort? What reforms were made by the 74th Legislature in 1995 and considered by the 78th in 2003, and what has been the result?
Q4) The injured party in a civil case is formally referred to as the A) defendant.
B) victim.
C) plaintiff.
D) law of parties.
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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) Why do governments borrow money? In particular, describe the debt process in Texas, tracing its historic growth. Defend and criticize the various objects of public borrowing in Texas.
Q2) The "dual budgeting" system in Texas means that both
A) revenues and expenditures are equal.
B) the house and senate must pass the budget.
C) the comptroller and treasurer authorize spending.
D) the governor and the legislature draw up budget proposals.
Q3) Which state program in Texas does not receive substantial federal funding?
A) Public education
B) Highways
C) Teacher retirement
D) Public assistance
Q4) Which of the following determines if state agencies have spent public funds in accordance with law?
A) The Comptroller of Public Accounts
B) The State Auditor's Office
C) The Legislative Budget Board
D) The Secretary of State
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