Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Texas Gov Exam 3
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Describe the circumstances around the coining of the word gerrymandering in 1812 | Governor Elbridge Gerry wanted to preserve the Republican majority in Massachusetts and redrew a district that esembled a salamander. |
| What are the terms for office for members of the legislature? | Senators 4 years, Reps 2 years |
| What sentiment does legally mandated terms limits reflect? | The frustration of voters toward government officials controlled by special interests. |
| Although the non-Hispanic white population accounts for 45% of the state's population _____ percent of the senators are non-Hispanic white. | 74% |
| Which group is underrepresented in the legislature relative to their percentages in the general population? | Hispanics, Asians, and females |
| All Texas legislators are elected using what kind of districts? | Single-Member |
| Which profession is most frequently represented in the US legislature? | Law |
| The redrawing of district and precinct lines following the national census to reflect population changes defines what process? | Reapportionment |
| Because of a history of discrimination, Texas was one of nine states required to receive preclearance of any changes to their voting laws from the _____. | Department of Justice |
| Which two individuals are the presiding officers of the State Legislature? | The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house |
| Legislative power is concentrated in the offices of which two state officials? | The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house |
| How are the committee chairs in each legislative chamber selected? | The presiding officers make the appointments |
| The Texas Constitution requires the speaker of the house to be selected by whom? | The majority of the membership of the house |
| When a committee refuses to release a bill, this is known as what? | Pigeonhole |
| Which legislative committee strongly influences the expenditure of funds for all divisions of state government? | Appropriations Committee |
| The House Calendars Committee controls what? | The flow of legislation from the committees to the house floor. |
| Final passage of a bill requires what kind of vote? | A simple majority of both houses |
| Which method can be used only in the senate to delay and maybe kill a legislative measure? | Filibuster |
| If the legislature is in session and the governor refuses to sign a bill, what happens? | It becomes law in 10 days |
| Describe a Texas governor's term in office. | Four years per term with no limit of the amount of terms |
| If the office of the governor is vacated, who assumes the office? | The lieutenant governor |
| What term best describes the executive branch? | Fragmented |
| The legislature has the constitutional power to override the governor's veto by doing what? | A 2/3rds vote |
| An informal legislative power of the governor not mentioned in the constitution or the law is what? | Threat of veto |
| Once a special session of the legislature has been called, the agenda is determined by whom? | The Governor |
| What is the most distinctive characteristic of the Texas administration? | No one is officially in charge of the administrative apparatus. |
| Texas has a plural executive, which means what? | The governor shares executive power with several other independently elected executives and boards. |
| What is the most important constitutional duty for the comptroller of public accounts? | Certifying the approximate biennial revenue for the state |
| _______ is/are most concerned with the laws and policies being administered by a government agency. | Clientele interest group |
| The Iron Texas State is composed of a coalition of interests that include what offices? | Not the comptroller |
| _______ makes recommendations as to the alteration, termination, or continuation of about 130 state boards, commissions, and agencies. | Sunset Advisory Committee |
| Government employees who expose bureaucratic excesses, blunders, corruption, or favoritism are called what? | Whistle-blowers |
| An official who takes, investigates, and mediates complaints about government bureaucrats from private individuals is called a what? | Ombudsman |
| To prove a defendant guilty in a criminal case, the state must provide what level of proof? | Sufficient evidence that jurors will believe the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt |
| What is the burden of proof standard used in civil cases? | A preponderance of the evidence |
| ______ is the power to try a case being heard for the first time. | Original jurisdiction |
| ______ is the power of an appellate court to review the decisions of a lower court. | Appellate jurisdiction |
| A second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal in the first trial is known as what? | Double jeopardy |
| Which court has exclusive jurisdiction to try violations of city ordinances? | Municipal |
| The vast majority of cases heard by municipal courts involve what? | Traffic and parking violations |
| Describe public confidence in justice of the peace courts. | Low |
| The Texas Constitution requires that the county judge be elected by voters for a four-year term and be what? | Well informed in the law of the state |
| _____ refers to a situation in which the prosecutor and defense attorney negotiate an agreement whereby the accused pleads guilty to a less serious crime than originally charge or in return for a reduction in the sentence to be served. | Plea bargaining |
| Texas has a _______ system of courts of last resort. | Dual |
| Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over automatic appeals in death penalty cases? | Court of Criminal Appeals |
| The purpose of a grand jury is to do what? | Determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring the accused to trail |
| Texas officially uses which method to select state judges? | Partisan election |
| Most states use the _____ system to select their judges. | Merit |
| An item veto allows the governor to do what? | Remove funds for specific items or projects without killing the entire bill. |
| One of the most important distinctions between civil and criminal cases involves the issue of what? | Burden of Proof |
Created by:
Maeganm.0816