What are the three things you like and dislike about Texas?
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 1
Introduce yourself including your name, interests/ hobbies, what degree you are working on, and any other information you’d like to share.
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 2
What are the three things you like and dislike about Texas?
By clicking on the following link, you can access Best States Rankings by U.S. News & World Report to assist you in answering the question.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 3
Before the end of the year you will gather in Austin to change the Texas constitution as it exists today. You have been given authority to revise, delete, and/or add new amendments to this legal document. Please provide at least three (3) examples of how you would change this document as it exists today. You can access a copy of the current Texas Constitution by clicking on the following link
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 4
Considering most of you all live in or near Houston and Harris County, what are the three biggest challenges facing the city and county.
You can access a copy of the 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey by clicking on the following link.
https://kinder.rice.edu/sites/default/files/documents/KI%202020%20Houston%20Area%20Survey%20Report_0.pdf (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 5
Should the Texas legislature meet more frequently? Should Texas lawmakers be paid more? Should there be term limits for members of the legislative branch in Texas? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about the part-time nature of the Texas legislature to assist you in answering the question.
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/08/hey-texplainer-why-does-texas-have-part-time-legislature/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 6
Should there be term limits for the Texas Governor? What is your opinion regarding the plural executive in Texas? If you were the Governor of Texas how would you address the COVID-19 crisis? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about Governor Abbott and the strategies he has embraced in order to confront the pandemic.
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/22/texas-shelter-in-place-coronavirus-cases/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 7
Is justice for sale in Texas? How should Texas judges get their jobs? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the system you have selected? You can access a video on this subject by clicking on the following link
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02192010/profile2.html (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 8
What is your opinion regarding the Texas voter ID law? Which party supports it, why? Which party opposes it, why? By clicking on the following link, you can access information from the Texas Secretary of State concerning the voter ID law in Texas to assist you in answering the question.
https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id.htmlLinks to an external site.
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 9
Why is voter turnout so low in Texas? What historical and contemporary factors in Texas have helped create an atmosphere of depressed participation in the political process? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about low voter turnout in Texas to assist you in answering the question.
https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/23/texas-voter-turnout-electorate-explainer/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 10
with and one thing you disagree with for both parties. Please use the following format.
Texas Republican Party Platform agree:
Texas Republican Party Platform disagree:
Texas Democratic Party Platform agree:
Texas Democratic Party Platform disagree:
https://www.texasgop.org/platform/ (Links to an external site.)
(Links to an external site.)
https://www.texasdemocrats.org/our-party/texas-democratic-party-platform/ (Links to an external site.)
Due to the polarization within the electorate, Republicans and Democrats, you have been selected by a large movement in Texas to create a new political party. For your “initial post” you must include the following about the new party using the following format:
Create a name
Provide a one sentence motto (What does your party stand for?)
Determine the party’s positions on these major issues facing Texans:
a. Immigration reform
b. Improving education
c. The tax system
d. Improving healthcare
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 11
There are around 100,000 associations and interest groups in the United States. Nearly two out of every three Americans at some point will belong to a group or association. Individuals who have a higher socio-economic status such as yourselves are more likely to belong to a group or association. I would like you to do some research and tell me three groups or associations you would like to join and the reasons why. Are interest groups beneficial in Texas politics? What are the advantages and disadvantages? By clicking on the following link, you can access a website that provides information about several groups and associations.
https://votesmart.org/interest-groups#.XpKZyXJ7nb0 (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 12
In your opinion what policies should be implemented to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Texas? What impact will your decisions have on the physical and mental health of Texans, along with the economy of the state?
The following link provides information about Governor Abbott’s response to the crisis.
https://www.statesman.com/news/20200425/politics-behind-abbottrsquos-most-consequential-decision (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 13
What is your position regarding the death penalty in Texas? What are the advantages of disadvantages of the death penalty in Texas?
The following links provide information and facts about the death penalty in Texas and the U.S. https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/ (Links to an external site.)
https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/pdf/FactSheet.f1585003454.pdf (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 14
What type of tax structure (progressive, regressive, etc.) is best for Texas? Should Texas implement a state income tax?
The following link is an article regarding a state income tax in Texas.
https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/09/texas-doesnt-have-income-tax-and-isnt-getting-one-any-time-soon/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Discussion 15
Where do you get your news and information from? What steps do you take in order to prevent the spread of fake news? What is your opinion of local, state, and federal officials concerning their response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The following link is a list of Texas media outlets.
https://lrl.texas.gov/currentIssues/newsMedia.cfm (Links to an external site.)
The following link is an article regarding public opinion concerning the coronavirus.
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/24/texas-coronavirus-poll-economy-jobs/ (Links to an external site.)
In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Research Paper
GOVT 2306 Research Paper Requirements and Grading
Assignment details:
1. Select a current Texas political issue and briefly describe the issue and what the different viewpoints are. For example, the topic could be legalization of marijuana in Texas. The viewpoints are either for legalization or against it.
2. Research the topic using three professional sources (books, journals, newspapers, magazines, or websites that end in .org, .edu, or .gov) and compare and contrast the different viewpoints and positions on your topic. Fully address the different sides of the issue and demonstrate an understanding of its complexities.
3. Draw a personal conclusion based on your analysis of the issue and present an informed evaluation from the evidence.
4. Your paper will include the body of work and a Works Cited Page (list or resources used).
5. Submit your paper through Canvas by the due date as posted in the Course Syllabus.
Fyi, the paper will automatically be ran through a program that checks for plagiarism. Plagiarized work will receive a grade of zero (0) with no opportunity for make-up. Requirements for formatting your paper:
• Completed in Microsoft Word
• Use MLA (Modern Language Association) Formatting
o Details and helpful information can be found at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
• 12 or 14 inch font
• Verdana font
• Double spaced
Grading Basics:
• The body of the research paper must be a minimum of 1,000 words.
• The research paper must be original work from the student and may not be recycled from a different class. In other words, if you’ve already submitted the paper in a different class, ever, you may not use it for this assignment. All information must be properly cited using in-text citations; place the author (e.g.,Brown) or the source name (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau) in parenthesis after paraphrasing their work.
• Use 3 separate professional sources.
• Information from sources must be paraphrased and not quoted. Do not put any quotes within your paper. The resources cited within the body of the work must match the listed resources on the Works Cited page
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Exam 1
Question 1The war that led to the declaration of the Republic of Texas began
with the battle at the Alamo.
within months of the arrival of the first American settlers.
in 1835.
when the Spanish government imposed restrictions on American settlers.
Question 2Which of the following is NOT a reason the population in Texas has been growing?
Federal relocation programs
Increasing birth rates
Migration from other states
Migration from other countries
Question 3In terms of population size, Texas ranks _________ in the nation in comparison to other states.
third
fourth
first
second
Question 4Compared to other states, Texas has.
Lower poverty rates and higher population growth
Higher poverty rates and lower population growth
Lower poverty rates and lower population growth
Higher poverty rates and higher population growth
Question 5Figure 1.3 Percentage Change in Population for the 15 Most Populous States, 2010—2015
SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Table 2. Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico and Region and State Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015; http://www.census.gov/popest/data/State/totals/2015/index.html.
According to Figure 1.3 in the text, what can be determined about population change in Texas?
Population growth in Texas is lower than the national average
Population in Texas has grown about twice the national rate.
Population growth in Texas is the same as the national average.
Population growth in Texas is about the same as most states.
Question 6From 2008-2012, Texas’s unemployment rate
was about the national average.
was the highest in the nation.
was among the highest in the nation.
was lower than the national average.
Question 7Who led the Army of the Gulf in a show of force designed to discourage French support of the Confederacy?
Ulysses S. Grant
Alfred H. Terry
Nathaniel P. Banks
Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing
Question 8What is the main reason why early petitions by the Republic of Texas to join the United States were rejected?
The American government feared sparking a war with Spain.
Texas residents favored monarchy, not republicanism.
Texas was composed almost entirely of Catholic Spanish speakers.
There was controversy over Texas becoming a slave state.
Question 9One of the primary political goals for Reconstruction was
to reintroduct slavery, in a limited way, in several Southern states.
to allow Northern states to be readmitted to the Union.
to restore law and order to a society recovering from war.
to undermine the economy in the Southern states.
Question 10Which of the following elements dominated the land-based economy of post-Reconstruction Texas and is/are still important today?
cotton and oil only
oil, cotton, and cattle
oil and cattle only
cattle only
Question 11What BEST explains why Texas turned from a Democratic stronghold in the 1930s to a Republican stronghold in the 2000s?
The national Democratic Party just assumed it would always control Texas.
The Democratic Party paid little attention to recruiting strong candidates for political office.
Texans on average become more conservative over time.
The Democratic Party become more liberal over time.
Question 12Which region of the state is known primarily for its production of citrus fruits and vegetables?
Central Corridor
Plains region
Border area
Gulf Coast region
Question 13Which of the following is an example of “luck” that limited Texas’s exposure to the ravages of the Civil War?
the successful show of force by the Army of the Gulf
Maximilian’s long reign in Mexico
Native American occupation west of the Balcones Escarpment
official French support of the Confederacy
Question 14A belief that government is a positive instrument for change and a means for promoting the general welfare of all citizens defines which political subculture?
traditionalistic
individualistic
moralistic
neoconservative
Question 15Which of the following best characterizes the partisan nature of Texas over the past 60 years?
Texas has evolved from a one-party Democratic state to a conservative state.
Texas has evolved from a one-party Democratic state to a one-party Republican state.
Texas has evolved from a one-party state to a mulitiparty state.
Texas has evolved from a one-party Republican state to a one-party Democratic state.
Question 16Of the six flags flown over Texas, which represented republics?
Texas and Mexico
France and Mexico
the CSA and France
Spain and France
Question 17Members of which of the following groups are most likely to identify themselves as Republican?
evangelical Protestants
agnostics
Roman Catholics
Protestants of the black church tradition
Question 18Figure 1.3 in the text, Percentage Change in Population for the 15 Most Populous States, 2010—2015
SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Table 2. Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico and Region and State Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015; http://www.census.gov/popest/data/State/totals/2015/index.html.
According to Figure 1.3 in the text, the population in Southern states, such as Texas,
is not growing.
is growing less than Northern states.
is growing at an above average rate.
is growing at a below average rate.
Question 19Texas’ first petition for statehood was denied because:
The Spanish and Mexican settlers who remained in Texas threatened revolt
The U.S. felt that Mexico still had a valid claim to the land
The vast majority of Anglo settlers did not consider themselves American
There was not a free state to balance the admittance of Texas as a slave state
Question 20In terms of the number of Texans living in urban and rural locales, what is the trend that can be seen based on U.S. Census Bureau data?
Texas is becoming more urban.
The Census Bureau does not track this information.
Texas is becoming more rural.
Texas is stable in terms of its urban vs. rural population.
Question 21The rate of population growth in Texas over the last decade can be characterized as
Negative.
Slow.
Bi-generational.
Rapid.
Question 22Southern Democrats were able to regain control of state government with the election of ________.
1866
1864
1874
1878
Question 23Who won the battle that led to the independence of Texas from Mexico?
James Fannin
General Santa Anna
Steve Austin
Sam Houston
Question 24Opposition to laws that increase government involvement in private business is an example of which political subculture?
Individualistic
Mercantilistic
Traditionalistic
Moralistic
Question 25The discovery of oil transformed Texas by:
Sparking the transition to an agricultural economy
Accelerating the growth of Texas’s population
Increasing the number of Texans who lived in rural areas
Reinforcing and even narrowing Texans’ ideas about government
Question 26Which of the following is an exclusive power of the national government?
conduct national elections
regulate interstate commerce
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Exam 2
Question 1What percentage of the Texas House of Representatives is elected during a presidential election year?
33 percent
25 percent
100 percent
50 percent
Question 2What percentage of the Texas Senate is usually elected during a presidential election year?
25 percent
33 percent
100 percent
50 percent
Question 3The House Insurance Committee is hearing testimony from the Texas Department of Insurance about the effectiveness of recent procedural changes within the department. Which legislative function is this committee demonstrating?
budget and taxation
management
oversight
lawmaking
Question 4The main function of the Sunset Advisory Commission is to:
Recommend a budget to the state legislature
Oversee state agencies
Redraw legislative districts
Set the legislative calendar
Question 5A voter who wants his representative to make decisions based solely on the will of the people desires which type of representative?
A citizen-legislator
A trustee
A delegate
A professional legislator
Question 6Table 3.2 – Legislative Salaries in the 10 Most Populous States
State
Base Salary, 2014
California
$90,526
Texas
$7,200
Florida
$29,697
New York
$79,500
Illinois
$67,836
Pennsylvania
$84,012
Ohio
$60,584
Georgia
$17,342
North Carolina
$13,951
Michigan
$71,685
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. See http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2014-ncsl-legislator-salary-and-per-diem-table.aspx.
Based on Table 3.2, how does a Texas legislator’s salary compare to other populous states?
Texas legislators are paid much more than other populous states
Texas legislators are paid more than any other state
Texas legislators are paid about the same as other populous states
Texas legislators are paid much less than other populous states
Question 7Most campaign contributions for Texas legislature races come from
the candidates’ political party.
super PACs.
federal matching funds.
contributors who live outside the district.
Question 8To be eligible to run for the Texas Senate you must
have resided in the state for at least three years.
have resided in the district for at least two years.
be at least 26 years of age.
meet a minimum income qualification.
Question 9In an average legislative session in the Texas legislature, about __ percent of all bills introduced will actually be passed into law.
41
11
2
24
Question 10Which of the following is NOT among the powers of the speaker of the house in the Texas House of Representatives?
bill referral to committees
appoints all members of standing committees
appoints members to calendar committee
committee chair appointment
Question 11In any given legislative session, most bills
clear every hurtle, but are vetoed by the governor.
make only minor changes to existing law.
die in conference committee.
pass committee muster but are voted down after floor debate.
Question 12Table 3.6 – Competitive and Noncompetitive Seats in the Texas House and Senate, 2016 Election
Safe Democratic
Safe Republican
Competitive
Unopposed
House
20 (13%)
39 (26%)
9 (6%)
82 (55%)
Senate
4 (25%)
5 (31%)
0 (0%)
7 (44%)
According to Table 3.6, does the Texas House or Senate have a greater proportion of Safe Republican seats?
They both have an equal proportion of Safe Republican seats
Cannot be determined
House
Senate
Question 13All of the following arguments for annual sessions EXCEPT:
Annual sessions raise the legislature’s profile and check executive power
Annual sessions afford legislators more time to study proposed legislation
Annual sessions allow for more continuous oversight
Annual sessions allow for more rapid responses
Question 14Which of the following groups benefits the most from gerrymandering?
Females
Incumbents
Hispanics
Democrats
Question 15How long is the Texas legislative session?
140 days
6 months
one year
two years
Question 16Why did the state of Texas draw new district lines in 2003?
Because the 2001 map was ruled unconstitutional
Because the Democrats won control of the legislature
Because the Republicans won control of the legislature
Because of reapportionment that occurred in 2002
Question 17Map 3.1 – Percentage of Women Legislators by State
SOURCE: Adapted from Center for American Women and Politics, Women in State Legislatures 2016. http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/women-state-legislature-2016.
According to Map 3.1, which of the states below has the lowest proportion of women in its legislature?
Tennessee
Kansas
Texas
North Carolina
Question 18The practice of redrawing electoral boundaries for political advantage is known as
Gerrymandering.
Redistricting.
Reallocation.
Reapportionment.
Question 19Multimember districts promote majority representation or domination, and single-member districts can promote ________ representation.
democratic
geographical
republican
equal
Question 20What is the pay of a member of the Texas legislature, taking into account salary and per diem compensation, in a year that the legislature is in session?
$74,100
nothing
$55,800
$28,200
Question 21Which type of legislative committee is most important?
special
conference
standing
interim
Question 22Why was the Legislative Redistricting Board’s multimember plan invalidated by a federal court in 1971?
findings in Lawrence v. Texas
the “Matthew syndrome”
dilution of the impact of rural voters
possible unfairness to minority voters
Question 23In what way are Texas, Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota similar?
All have unlimited speed limits on certain controlled-access highways.
The legislature of each state only meets every other year.
They are all in the central time zone.
All four voted for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.
Question 24Map 3.1 – Percentage of Women Legislators by State
SOURCE: Adapted from Center for American Women and Politics, Women in State Legislatures 2016. http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/women-state-legislature-2016.
According to Map 3.1, in which region of the country can legislatures with the highest proportion of women be found?
The Midwest
The South
The Northwest
The Northeast
Question 25Table 3.6 – Competitive and Noncompetitive Seats in the Texas House and Senate, 2016 Election
Safe Democratic
Safe Republican
Competitive
Unopposed
House
20 (13%)
39 (26%)
9 (6%)
82 (55%)
Senate
4 (25%)
5 (31%)
0 (0%)
7 (44%)
According to Table 3.6, which chamber is less competitive overall?
Both are equally competitive
Senate
Cannot be determined
House
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Exam 3
Question 1Which group was the primary target of the poll tax?
itinerant farm workers
individuals who did not own property
low-income white farmers
poor Democrats
Question 2 What is the most common form of political participation?
attending a rally
signing a petition
financial contributions
voting
Question 3The state of Texas’s history of restricting access to voting is very much in keeping with its
states rights political culture.
individualistic political culture.
moralistic political culture.
traditionalistic political culture.
Question 4If the post office in Texas is unable to deliver a voter registration card, it will be returned to the voter registrar, and
the voter registrar will attempt to find a forwarding address and re-send the card if one is found.
it will be sent to the polling station on election day for the voter to pick up.
the voter will need to re-register in order to vote in future elections.
the county sheriff will be notified to investigate possible voter fraud.
Question 5Which state does NOT limit the voting rights of persons convicted of a felony?
Texas
West Virginia
Vermont
Mississippi
Question 6
Which of the following is rationalist reason for not voting?
“I didn’t feel like it.”
“There’s no chance my single vote will decide the election.”
“I forgot to register in time.”
“I was out of state on election day.”
Question 7According to a recent survey, which of the following types of political participation is least common?
volunteered for a political candidate
contributed money to a political candidate or party
sent a letter to the editor of a local publication
attended a political rally or speech
Question 8Which of the following elections would typically have a higher voter turnout?
off-year election
local election
general election
primary election
Question 9People who only become involved in politics when they think the issue has a direct effect on them are considered to be:
Parochial participants
Communalists
Campaigners
Voting specialists
Question 10John is upset that the power company is planning to build several wind turbines on the property next to his home. He writes letters to his elected representative and the local newspaper, voicing his displeasure with the project. According to Verba and Nie, what type of political participation is John demonstrating?
voting specialist
communalist
campaigner
parochial participant
Question 11Which of the three measures for voter turnout consistently shows the higher figures?
percentage of registered voters who voted
percentage of VEP who voted
percentage of VAP who voted
They are all roughly equal.
Question 12What is the voter participation measure used most often by political scientists?
percentage of voting-age population
percentage of voting-eligible population
percentage of voting-age U.S. citizen population
percentage of registered voters
Question 13In Texas, you cannot vote if:
You are in prison for committing a felony
You have not been a citizen for at least 7 years
You do not pay the poll tax
You have not completed your annual registration
Question 14The expansion of political participation in the southern U.S. states has come about largely because of
the civil rights movement.
suffrage movements of the early twentieth century.
the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
federal government intervention.
Question 15In Texas, how long prior to an election must you register in order to be eligible to vote?
10 days
15 days
0 days (same day registration)
30 days
Question 16The National Voter Registration Act is also known as the
CARS Act.
Motor Voter Act.
Vehicles and Votes Act.
Rapid Registration Act.
Question 17In Verba and Nie’s typology of political participation, which category contains the highest percentage of the population?
inactives
parochial participants
complete activists
campaigners
Question 18What is the impact of Texas political culture on political participation?
It moderately encourages political participation.
It has no significant effect on political participation.
It discourages political participation.
It strongly encourages political participation.
Question 19In Texas, to run as an independent for statewide office, a candidate must file a petition with a number of signatures equal to ________ percent of the votes cast for governor in the past election.
19
5
1
10
Question 20The primary system that allows voters to register or change their party registration on election day is known as a
blanket primary system.
semi-closed primary system.
open primary system.
closed primary system.
Question 21Can a Texas voter who voted in the primary election of one party vote in the runoff primary of the other party?
no, unless it was a blanket primary
yes, if it is an open primary
yes
no
Question 22In the early twentieth century, candidates in Texas running for statewide office could have extremely inconsistent messages depending where they were campaigning in the state. Why?
Texas’s diversity
individual political culture
lack of a statewide press
traditional political culture
Question 23In 2016, Texas voters elected
half the members of the Texas House of Representatives and all the members of the Texas Senate.
all the members of the Texas House of Representatives and all the members of the Texas Senate.
all the members of the Texas House of Representatives and half the members of the Texas Senate.
half the members of the Texas House of Representatives and half the members of the Texas Senate.
Question 24By Texas law, special elections may be held in all of the following months EXCEPT
January.
November.
August.
May.
Question 25Voting in another party’s primary to intentionally nominate a weaker candidate is known as:
Crossover voting
False voting
Runoff voting
Party raiding
GOVT2306 Texas Government
Exam 4
Question 1In lieu of purchasing workers’ compensation insurance, employers in Texas
can file a “tort” model exception for the employee with the health and safety board.
don’t have to do anything, unless an injured employee files a civil law suit.
should have the union pay for the insurance out of mandatory dues.
may require the employee to purchase the insurance.
Question 2Who pays the largest part of the cost of K-12 education in Texas?
local districts
the federal government
the state government
the county government
Question 3A policy liberalism index is a measure of:
How liberal or conservative a state is on certain policies
How liberal or conservative the voters of a state are
How liberal or conservative the state legislators are
How liberal or conservative the state constitution is
Question 4In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage violated the Fourteenth Amendment in which case?
Loving v. Virginia
Shelby County v. Holder
Grutter v. Bollinger
Obergefell v. Hodges
Question 5If a student takes more than the allowed hours (as set by the legislature) to complete his or her degree, the student
is placed on academic probation.
must pay the out-of-state tuition rate.
may transfer to a community college.
is assigned a mentor to help him/her successfully complete the course of study.
Question 6In 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court found that antisodomy laws were unconstitutional in the case of
Lawrence v. Texas.
Plyler v. Doe.
Rodriguez v. San Antonio.
Edgewood v. Kirby.
Question 7The individual mandate is:
The requirement that every person has health insurance
The belief that individual’s should not be dependent on state welfare
The belief that parents should be able to use state funding to pay for private school
The requirement that all welfare recipients be drug tested
Question 8Which of the following steps in the policy-making cycle occurs first?
policy implementation
agenda setting
policy evaluation
policy adoption
Question 9Texas schools such as Texas Tech and the University of Houston:
Are prohibited from accepting private donations
Are funded by the Permanent University Fund
Are funded by the Higher Education Assistance Funds
Do not receive any funds from the state
Question 10Map 11.2 – Medicaid Expansion by State
SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures, “State Decisions on ACA-Related Medicaid Expansion,” January 2016, http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/affordable-care-act-expansion.aspx.
Based on Map 11.2, which region of the country was more likely to follow federal government recommendations to expand Medicaid coverage?
The Midwest
The Pacific states
New England
The Deep South
Question 11Texas’s approach to regulation of which of the following policies is considered less friendly to business?
right-to-work laws
workers’ compensation
land use
professional licensing regulations
Question 12Who pays the second-largest part of the cost of K-12 education in Texas?
the state government
local districts
the county government
the federal government
Question 13Which of the following steps in the policy-making cycle occurs last?
policy evaluation
policy adoption
policy implementation
problem identification
Question 14A state law mandates that the top __ percent of the graduating class of a high school be admitted to state colleges and universities.
3
20
10
1
Question 15In Texas an initial permit to carry a concealed firearm costs about ________.
$20
$100
$140
$78
Question 16Compared to other states, Texas spends:
More on both welfare and health
Less on both welfare and health
Less on welfare and more on health
More on welfare and less on health
Question 17Based on the 1981 U.S. Supreme Court decision in ________, all states are required to provide K-12 education for undocumented immigrants and their children.
Edgewood v. Kirby
Rodriguez v. San Antonio
Plyler v. Doe
Lawrence v. Texas
Question 18Why are most degrees in Texas state universities limited to 120 hours?
to comply with federal requirements
to save the state money
to meet an accreditation requirement
because of pressure from alumni and constituents
Question 19Applying stricter sentences to those defendants who have been convicted previously is called:
Second-degree felony
Recidivism
Retribution
Enhanced punishment
Question 20What describes the rules associated with the criminal justice process in Texas?
Texas Penal Code
Texas Civil Law
Texas Code of Criminal Procedures
Texas Code of Conduct
Question 21Texas must maintain enough space for its prison population because courts have ruled that overcrowding:
Infringes on the right to a speedy trial
Does not adequately protect prisoners from possible self-incrimination
Constitutes cruel and unusual punishment
Does not provide enough protection from unlawful search and seizure
Question 22Which of the following types of crime is most common in Texas?
Arson
Murder
Assault
Burglary
Question 23Texas’s incarceration rate is
lower than most other states.
the highest in the country.
higher than most states.
below average.
Question 24In criminal cases, the state is required to share with the defense any information or evidence that could assist the accused. This is called:
Public evidence
Explanatory evidence
Revealed evidence
Exculpatory evidence
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