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gov
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. What do simple resolutions in the Tx Legislature require, and what do they not require to be approved? | Require: only one chamber approval Do NOT require: governor’s signature |
| 2. What is the power of recognition and what does it allow the Speaker of the house to do? | Power of the Speaker to decide who may speak on the floor. Controls debate and legislative flow |
| 3. Why are special sessions called in the Texas Legislature? | Called by the governor. Used to address specific issues not finished in regular session |
| 4. What are constituent services, what are its goals, and who does it aim to help? support | Help citizens with government problems (benefits, agencies, etc.). Goal: assist voters and build political |
| 5. What are the age requirements for serving in the House and the Senate in Texas? | House: 21 Senate: 26 |
| 6. What is the annual salary for a member of the Texas Legislature? | $7,200/year + per diem |
| 7. Comparing the demographics of the members of the Texas legislature and the public, which demographic had the largest disparity? | Education (legislators are far more educated) |
| 8. What state coined the term “gerrymandering” in the 1800s? | Massachusetts |
| 9. In 2025 during the Texas legislature session, how many bills were introduced according to the “Texas Legislative Reference Library”? | ~8,000+ |
| 10. Who is the current speaker of the Texas House? | (2025–2026) Dustin Burrows |
| 11. If the Texas Governor wants to remove someone from a board, but they won’t resign, what happens next to remove the person and what must the vote be to succeed? | The Texas Senate must confirm removal. Requires 2/3 vote |
| 12. What is “message power” and give an example of the Texas Governor using it? | The Governor designates emergency items. Allows the legislature to act early. Example: border security funding |
| 13. What is “senatorial curtesy” and give an example of the Texas Governor using it? | The Governor defers to the local senator on appointments. Example: blocking nominees from senator’s district |
| 14. What office of the plural executive collects child support payments? | Attorney General |
| 15. What does the term “bureaucracy” refer to? (How do governments accomplish their goals?) | Government agencies that implement laws |
| 16. How many staff members do the Texas Governor's office receive? I would check this number in your textbook. | ~300 staff members |
| 17. In 2023, how many vetoes did Greg Abbot issue? | 76 vetoes |
| 18. What university lost funding when Governor James Ferguson had issues with their professors? | University of Texas |
| 19. What is the oldest state agency in Texas? | General Land Office |
| 20. What is the sunset advisory commission, what do they do, and how often do they do it? | 12 years. Recommends continuation or abolition |
| 21. Most southern states voted Republican in 2024.Cosiderign this, how did this effect their tax burden? | Lower taxes / lower tax burden overall |
| 22. Describe the current approach that Texas has with revenue and spending regarding public services. | Low taxes, limited services. Conservative spending |
| 23. Why is the price of oil so important for the budget of Texas? | Major revenue sources (severance taxes). Impacts budget stability |
| 24. What is the Permanent School Fund (PSF)? Who does it provide funds for, and what basis does it provide the funds for? | Investment funds for public schools. Funds distributed per student |
| 25. Article 3, Section 15a in the Texas constitution declares that it cannot spend more than what percent of its budget to aid children. | 1% cap (very small allocation rule) |
| 26. What are the top 3 most expensive items for the Texas budget? | Education. Health & Human Services. Transportation |
| 27. What is the sale tax rate in Texas? | 6.25% (state level) |
| 28. Where does Texas get most of its revenue for the budget? | Sales taxes |
| 29. If the legislature needs to raise the budget over what the comptroller sets, what vote do they need? | Requires majority vote + finding extra revenue source |
| 30. When do appropriations bills take effect? | September 1 (start of fiscal year) |
| 31. What makes it so tough to learn about judicial candidates in Texas? | Low information elections. Nonpartisan-style knowledge gap |
| 32. As of 2021, what percentage of appellate judges in Texas are women? | ~35% |
| 33. Tort law. | Civil law dealing with harm/injury and compensation |
| 34. Because voters know so little about judicial candidates in Texas, what information do they rely on the most? | Party affiliation |
| 35. What makes the State Bar in Texas so unusual? | Mandatory membership (integrated bar) |
| 36. How many people are on a jury in Texas for misdemeanor charges? | 6 jurors |
| 37. How long must someone serve as a lawyer to run for justice of the peace? | No law degree required |
| 38. How many courts of Appeals districts exist in Texas? 14 | 14 |
| 38. How many courts of Appeals districts exist in Texas? | 14 |
| 39. What percent of specialty courts in Texas and “drug courts”? | ~50% (largest share of specialty courts) |
| 40. What is the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act and when did it pass? | 1995. Limits campaign contributions |
| 41. Is a commissioner system in Texas popular as a stye of government? | Not very popular (declining use) |
| 42. What requirement creates special purpose districts in Texas? | Created by legislature or local approval |
| 43. Special purpose districts were first created to help those in poor, rural areas in Texas. Many people now believe this system is being abused due to: | Lack of oversight. Used to avoid taxes/regulations |
| 44. What factors limit the efficacy of smaller county Governments in Texas? Which one is the most significant issue? | Limited tax base (MOST significant). Small population. Fewer resources |
| 45. Compare and contrast home-rule cities and general-law cities. (Know major similarities and differences). | Home-rule: Population > 5,000 Can do anything not prohibited. General law: Smaller cities. Only powers granted by state |
| 46. On average, how many local purpose governments exist in each Texas county? | ~30+ |
| 47. What event could bankrupt a county budget in Texas (excluding natural disasters)? | Lawsuits (large legal judgments) |
| 48. What position is the equivalent of being a city manager? | County judge |
| 49. What does Texas County has the most non-school special districts? | Harris County |
| 50. What is the biggest unfunded liability do Texas counties face in the near future? | Pensions / retirement obligations |
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