Texas Government Study Guide Answer

Government The Executive Department and the Office of the Governor 1. Which is of the following is NOT among the formal qualifications for the office of governor in Texas: 30 years of age; registered voter, resident of the state for five years; or U.S. citizenship? 2. Which of the following informal qualifications for governor is nearly universal in Texas: fraternal membership; military service; holding a law degree; or having previously held elected office? 3. Which of the following individuals would NOT be eligible to run for governor: a person who is not registered to vote; a person who is only twenty-eight years of age; a person who was born elsewhere but has become U.S. citizen; or a person who has only live in Texas for seven years? 4. Since the end of World War II, Texas had one female governor: Ann Richards 5. According to Map 4.1, which of the following states has NOT had a woman governor? Georgia 6. According to Map 4.1, about what proportion of states had a women governor at one point? More than Half 7. Based on the informal qualifications for office, which of the following types of individuals be most successful in a Texas gubernatorial race? Member of Wealthy Family 8. Which state pays its governor the highest salary? Pennsylvania 9. The governor of Texas’s salary is ______ per year. $150,000 10. If the office of governor is vacated in Texas, the order of succession is… In states without a lieutenant governor, who is usually next to succession to the governor’s office? Lieutenant governor, president pro tempore, speaker of the house 11. In Texas, the lieutenant governor: is appointed by the governor and succeeds the governor should the office be vacated; is elected separately from the governor but succeeds the governor should the office be vacated; is elected jointly with the governor and therefore succeeds the governor should the office be vacated; or is appointed by the governor and thus cannot succeed the governor should the office be vacated? The Leader of the State Senate 12. Which of the following states does NOT have a process for impeachment: Texas; Georgia; Oregon; or California? 13. In most instances, the adoption of articles of impeachment results in …. A trial in the senate 14. The voters in Wisconsin voted to not recall Governor Walker in 2011 because …. Did not like the idea of using a recall to remove a governor 15. A former governor would be most likely to hold which of the following jobs: U.S. senator; secretary of education; vice president of the United States; or business executive? 16. Why is the Texas governor’s power exceptionally weak as compared to that of the governors of some other states? Plural executive sytem 17. The Texas governor gains strength from his or her ability to do what? Be continually reelected 18. Which office created in 1876 functions as the chief fiscal and revenue forecasting office and is responsible for investing state funds? The Comptroller of Public Accounts 19. Texas is an example of a plural executive system because…. Power is divided among several elected officials 20. Most of the work of the attorney general involves ___Civil Law_____ rather than __Criminal Law_______. 21. Which executive-level office serves as legal counsel to the governor, the legislature and state agencies? Attorney General 22. Which executive-level officer promotes agriculture products and production? Commissioner of Agriculture 23. What office was created under he 1836 constitution to administer state-owned land? General Land Office 24. Which executive-level officer collects taxes and invests state funds? Comptroller of Public Accounts 25. Which executive-level officer administers state-owned land and protects the environment quality of coastal lands? Commissioner of the General Land Office 26. Howmany states, including Texas, do not limit how long a person can serve as governor? 14 27. The chief record keeper and election official for the state of Texas is the Secretary of State 28. What tool is used to forecast state economic growth, keep track of business cycles, and generally provide information on the health of the economy of Texas? The State of Texas Econometric Model 29. What is currently the Texas Railroad Commission’s primary function? Regulation of Oil and Gas industry 30. Unlike most other statewide governing offices, what governing body has varied greatly in form and structure over the years? Texas department of Agriculture 31. Which of the following defines tenure of office: the ability of elected officials to succeed themselves; the term length; the term limit; or both the legal ability of elected officials to succeed themselves and the term length? 32. Which of the following best describes the effect the expansion of a governor’s ability to appoint and remove agency heads would have on executive authority: it would diminish executive authority; it would have little to no effect; it would increase executive authority; or it would have a negative effect on executive authority? 33. In the process known as _____Senatorial Courtesy__________, the governor must clear his or her appointments with the state senator from the appointee’s home district. 34. The secretary of state publishes the ______Texas Register_______, which the source of official notices or rules, meetings, executive orders, and opinions of the attorney general that are required to be filed by state agencies. 35. The power of the Texas governor to remove government officials is considered…. Very Weak 36. In Texas, the state budget is submitted by …. The Legislative Budget Board 37. The line-item veto: is key power of the Texas governor; was declared unconstitutional in the 1980s; is possessed by only a small percentage of state governors; or applies to all bills except the budget? 38. The Texas legislature can override the governor’s general veto with a ____Two-Thirds___ vote in each house. 39. The Texas legislature can override the governor’s line-item veto with a ___ Two-Thirds ___ vote in each house. 40. In most states, the legislature can override the governor’s veto with a ____ Two-Thirds___ vote in each house. 41. The largest expenditure of state funds is for Personnel 42. Which state government sector has the largest number of employees? Education 43. Why is it very difficult to hold a specific person in Texas government responsible for anything? Government is fragmented and policy responsibility is divided 44. The Sunset Advisory Commission: is composed of members appointed by the governor; reviews most state agencies every 12 years; has yet to abolish a state agency; or was discontinued in the mid-1970s? 45. By recommending policy initiatives to state legislators and coordinating with state agencies that administer programs and implement policies, the governor is demonstrating his or her role as…. Chief Legislator 46. When a governor takes action to respond to natural disaster in the state, he or she is fulfilling the role of … Crisis Manager 47. When a governor acts as head of his or her political party, he or she is fulfilling the role of … Party Chief 48. When a governor has and pursues an active policy agenda, he or she is fulfilling the role of… Chief Legislator 49. When a governor coordinates activities with other state governments, he or she is fulfilling the role of… Intergovernmental Coordinator The Court System in Texas 1. Most courts in Texas deal with: criminal complaints; policy questions; controversies between individuals; or hypothetical complaints and other questions of law? 2. Why does the U.S. have a dual court system? The Federal System of Government 3. Courts differ from legislatures in that: courts are easier to access; courts are not checked by the executive branch; courts cannot initiate policy changes; or courts are not governed by procedural rules? 4. If a court makes a ruling based on a principle established in a previous ruling from another court, it is an example of … Stare Decisis 5. The strict procedural rules that govern courts: limit access to the courts; might disallow evidence gathered in an illegal manner; allow other states to introduce policy questions; or allow them to initiate policies? 6. Judges must base their decisions only on the federal and state constitutions, statutes, and earlier court decisions. This concept is called … Objectivity 7. What is the most important difference between trial and appellate courts? Deciding points of Facts vs Deciding points of Laws 8. In Texas, appellate courts: decide whether procedure was followed; determine the guilt or innocence; depend on high levels of citizen participation; or are local and limited? 9. Justice of the peace (JP courts) in Texas can do all of the following EXCEPT: issue arrest warrants; serve as small claims courts; hear criminal misdemeanor cases; or create records of proceedings for county courts to review? 10. A justice of the peace court is what kind of court? Magistrate Court 11. What are the kinds of county courts? Constitutional County Courts or County Courts at LAw 12. In most states, which courts hear major criminal and civil cases: district courts; major trial courts; superior courts; or all of these answers are correct? 13. A murder case would most likely first be tried in what kind of court? District Court 14. In Texas, criminal appeals involving the death penalty are heard by what court? The Court of Criminal Appeals 15. What is the highest court for criminal cases in Texas? The Court of Criminal Appeals 16. The merit system used to identify and select judges is also known as… The Missouri System 17. The highest number of states’ courts use which method for selecting trial courts (including municipal level) judges? Partisan Election 18. Across all fifty states, the most common method of selecting state Supreme Court judges is … Partisan Elections 19. According to Figure 5.5, what is the most common way of selecting appellate court judges? Merit Plan 20. The lowest number of states select judges through … Legislative Appointment 21. How are appellate court judges selected in Texas? Partisan election 22. How are trial court judges selected in Texas? Partisan election 23. Most voters go to the election booth with scant knowledge about the qualifications of judicial candidates, and they often end up voting … how? By name familiarity 24. What is the most often called-for fix to the problems caused by straight-ticket voting in Texas? Nonpartisan-election 25. Judges appointed by governors are typically: more responsive and more competent; more competent and less responsive; more independent and more responsive; or less independent and less responsive? 26. In merit systems, appointed judges rarely lose retention elections because … The judge does not run against an opponent 27. In 1984, many incumbent Democratic judges lost their seats in large urban counties to unknown Republican challengers because of … Straight-ticketing 28. Which of the following bodies or individuals has some power to remove a Texas judge from office: the Texas Senate; the Texas Governor; the Texas Supreme Court; or all of these answers are correct? 29. Which of the following is true of typical grand juries: they stay in session for one year; they ideally serve to prevent arbitrary excesses by prosecuting attorneys: they typically conduct independent investigations into the facts of a case; or they are usually limited to screening minor cases? 30. Which method of judicial selection leads to the highest degree of judicial responsiveness? Nonpartisan-election 31. Which method of judicial selections leads to the lowest degree of judicial competence? Partisan-election 32. Which method of judicial selections leads to the lowest degree of judicial independence? Partisan-election 33. The Frontline program entitled “Justice for Sale” highlighted how eight justices on the Texas Supreme Court in 1994 had received what about of donations? $9 Million 34. According to a 2006 Texans for Public Justice study, the Texas Supreme Court … Most likely hear cases filed by large Contributors 35. As of 2017, what percentage of all Texas judges are female? 35% 36. As of 2107, ____39%_______ of Texans identify as Hispanic or Latino, while _17%____ of all judges in the state identify as Hispanic. 37. Of the following, who is most likely to be appointed to his or her initial seat on the court in Texas: a supreme court justice; a district court judge; the justice of the peace; or municipal court judge? 38. Which method of judicial selection is a system left over from colonial America? Election from Legislative 39. Which method for removing judges for misconduct is used by the fewest states? Removal of Governor 40. Texas uses ____Grand Juries and Administrative Hearings____ to review the facts and decide whether evidence exists to try cases. 41. The Texas Government Code allows jurisdictions to draw upon which source(s) for jury selection? Registered Voters and Licensed Drivers 42. What kind of criminal case is a county court likely to hear? Misdemeanor 43. Texas has two Supreme Courts because … it divides its courts of last resort between civil and criminal cases The Criminal Justice System in Texas 1. Which of the following is carried out by County Sheriff’s Offices but is not considered a “traditional law enforcement function: serving warrants; patrolling; making traffic stops or responding to calls for assistance? 2. Which of the following accurately represents the number of law enforcement personnel in Texas:1 officer for every 100 residents; 1 officer for every 400 residents; 1 officer for every 1,000 residents; or 1 officer for every 4,000 residents? 3. In what manner are county sheriffs chosen for service? Elected by county voter for a 4 year term 4. A “system of prohibitions, penalties, and correctional measures to deal with conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens harm to those individual or public interests for which state protection is appropriate” describes … Texas Penal Code 5. What describes the rules associated with the criminal justice process in Texas? Texas code of criminal Procedures 6. The Texas __Penal Code___ grades criminal offenses based on severity. 7. Applying stricter sentences to those defendants who have been convicted previously is called ______Enhanced Punishment____ 8. Enhanced punishments are intended to _____Discourage Recidivism_________. 9. The vast majority of crime in Texas involves: firearms; violence; sexual acts; or property? 10. Which of the following types of crime is/are most common in Texas: burglary and theft; arson; murder; or assault? 11. Based on emerging patterns in where civil lawsuits are heard, what kind of court is most likely to hear a civil suit over a divorce settlement? Civil Court 12. Compared to 2017, the crime rate in Texas in 2018 was … Somewhat Lower 13. Civil law has to do with what? Private Relationships 14. A person sues Starbucks because they were burned by it’s hot coffee. This is an example what law? Tort Law 15. _________Criminal_______ courts determine whether a person is guilty, and ________Civil______ courts determine if the victims are entitled to damages. 16. Which burden of proof is used in civil matters? Preponderance of evidence 17. Which burden of proof is used in criminal matters? Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 18. In criminal cases, the state is required to share with the defense any information or evidence that could assist the accused. This evidence is called … Exculpatory Evidence 19. Texas incarceration rate is: lower than that of most other states; higher than that of most other states; the highest in the country; or below average? 20. Which state has the lowest incarceration rate? Maine 21. Criminal justice reforms such as drug courts and closing prisons may appeal to some conservatives because These reforms can save the state money 22. What is the “age of majority” in Texas with regard to civil and criminal responsibility before the law? 17 23. Persons under the age of 18 who commit crimes are subjected or not subjected to what? Cannot be Sentenced to Death/Life in prison 24. Which phrase refers to the inherent power of the state to protect persons legally incapable of protective themselves? Paren patriae 25. In which case was it argued that the Texas Youth Council violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment? Morales v. Truman 26. What institution replaced the Texas Youth Council and Texas Youth Commission? Texas Juvenile Justice Department 27. Under the new Juvenile Justice Code, what is the primary goal? Rehabilitation 28. Children under what age cannot be prosecuted for a crime in Texas? 10 29. Which Supreme Court decision barred the death sentence for juveniles? Roper vs Simmons, US Supreme Court 30. Which Supreme Court decision declared “life without parole” cruel and unusual punishment for juveniles? Miller vs Alabama 31. Which of the following juvenile individuals is most likely to be placed in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department: a white male; an ethnic minority female; an ethnic minority male; or a white female? 32. About how many inmates, parolees, and individuals on community supervision are supervised by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice? Over half a million 33. According to Table 6.3, which state has the highest rate of incarceration? Louisiana 34. One strategy that Texas has used to alleviate prison populations is creating a new category of felony offenses, the state jail Felony 35. According to Table 6.3, what region of the country has the highest incarceration rate? The South 36. Texas must maintain enough space for its prison population because courts have ruled that overcrowding causes what? Constitutes Cruel and Unusual Punishment 37. Based on Table 6.4, which group is most likely associated with the greatest pressure to transition populations to other alternatives? Juvenile 38. What is one reason estimates of the cost of private prisons per inmate might not be accurate? Inmate medical care is paid by the state of Texas 39. About how many deaths occurred between 2005 and 2020 in city and county jails in Texas? 40. What link between education and recidivism was demonstrated in a study of the Windham educational programs? Most who participated in educational program did not reoffend for at least 2 years after release 41. What U.S. Supreme Court case in 1972 effectively suspended the death penalty because it was unfairly applied to many crimes and because of the lack of safeguards in place in many states? Furman vs Georgia 42. Which state leads the nation in the number of prisoners executed? Texas 43. Texas has a relatively high execution rate despite the fact that… Texas has put innocent people to Death 44. In 2005, the Texas legislature passed a bill adding which change to the sentencing phase of capital cases? “Life without Parole” 45. ________Reprieve______ refers to a temporary (30 day) stay of execution the governor of Texas may grant. 46. _______Pardon_______ refers to the granting of forgiveness by the state for conviction. 47. _______Commuted Sentence_______ refers to the reduction in punishment for an individual convicted of a crime. 48. Free or reduced-fee legal representation is known as Pro-bono 49. Scandals such as evidence tampering in crime labs promoted calls for Texas to pass reforms that address which of following problems: overcriminalization; police militarization; fine and fee practices; or misconduct in the justice system? 50. A proliferation of mens rea convictions would likely be the result of: overcriminalization; police militarization; mental illness crimes; or increased fines and fee practices? The Timothy Cole Act was passed for what purpose? Provides compensation to those wrongfully incarcerated