Deck 6: State Governors

Question 1

Which of the following is true of governors concerning their appointive powers?

A)They can fill all positions in the government.
B)They can only appoint elected officials.
C)They may remove people only when they have violated the law.
D)They have unlimited power over the officials they appoint.
E)They solely possess all the appointive powers.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is the activity that most governors lack constitutionality authority over?

A)to make appointments
B)to pardon or grant clemency
C)to command the state National Guard
D)to prepare the state budget
E)to decide foreign policy

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Which of the following tasks of a governor consists of recruiting talented leaders and managers to head the state's various commissions?

A)granting clemency
B)preparing the state budget
C)vetoing legislation
D)issuing executive orders
E)making appointments

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Mitch Michelson is the incumbent first-term governor of the state of Virginia.At the end of his current term, he wishes to be immediately reelected for the next term.Which of the following reasons best explains his inability to run for election in the second term?

A)He does not meet the age requirements for gubernatorial eligibility.
B)He does not meet the residency requirements for gubernatorial eligibility.
C)In Virginia, governors cannot serve consecutive terms.
D)In Virginia, governors can only serve one term.
E)He does not meet the citizenship requirements for gubernatorial eligibility.

Question 5

What do election reformers suggest concerning state gubernatorial elections and presidential elections?

A)They must always be held together to reduce electoral costs.
B)They should be held separately to avoid state politics being swamped by the tides of national politics.
C)They can only be held together if the governor's term is ending in the same year.
D)They must not be held together if both the gubernatorial incumbent and presidential incumbent are from the same party.
E)They can only be held together if the gubernatorial incumbent is not running for reelection.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true of reelection?

A)In five states-New York, Texas, Ohio, Arizona, and Virginia-elections for governor are held in odd-numbered years.
B)Only one state holds gubernatorial elections at the same time as presidential elections.
C)Governors in New York and Texas are elected for two-year terms in all even-numbered years.
D)Two states elect governors to four-year terms in presidential election years.
E)In 34 states, elections for governor are held only in even-numbered, but nonpresidential, midterm election years.

Question 7

When is a state administrator said to have a measure of independence from the governor?

A)when his programs are supported by federal funds
B)when he is appointed by the governor's predecessor
C)when he is appointed by the governor
D)when he is appointed by both the governor and the state senate
E)when his programs are budgeted according to the state funds available

Question 8

Which of the following states would be considered as having weak constitutionally provided powers for its governor?

A)Massachusetts
B)North Carolina
C)Maryland
D)Alaska
E)West Virginia

Question 9

In the late 1700s, how were US governors chosen for office?

A)elected by the people
B)appointed by the state senate
C)elected by the state legislature
D)appointed by the President
E)appointed by the federal congress

Question 10

Which of the following states' governor has severe restrictions on his or her appointive power?

A)New York
B)Texas
C)New Jersey
D)Illinois
E)Florida

Question 11

What has been the general trend in salaries of state governors over the last few years?

A)decreased significantly
B)slightly decreased
C)no change
D)slightly increased
E)increased significantly

Question 12

Unlike elected Presidents, state governors generally:

A)do not have line item veto power.
B)lack the power to pardon or grant clemency to criminals.
C)lack appointive power.
D)share executive power with other elected officials.
E)are allowed to be in that position for an unlimited period of time.

Question 13

In nearly all states, the ________ has responsibility for preparing a budget.

A)state legislature
B)state senate
C)President
D)governor
E)federal government

Question 14

What is the percentage of incumbent governors that were reelected between 1998 and 2010?

A)less than 20%
B)between 20% and 50%
C)around 50%
D)between 50% and 80%
E)over 80%

Question 15

Apart from the governor, with whom else does budgeting influence lie?

A)the CEOs of major corporations
B)non-profit governmental organizations
C)the executive branch agencies
D)the labor unions
E)lobbyists

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a likely incentive for people trying to become state governors?

A)opportunity to serve the public
B)make history
C)exercise power
D)stepping-stone to running for the Senate
E)financial bonuses

Question 17

________ is the most common path to governorship.

A)Being one of the political appointees
B)Serving as a private attorney
C)Being a homemaker
D)Being elected as a state legislator
E)Serving in the public sector

Question 18

Which of the following spells out the rules of eligibility, tenure, and salary for the governor of a state?

A)the Declaration of independence
B)code of conduct
C)state constitution
D)bill of rights
E)articles of confederation

Question 19

Which of the following states would be considered as having strong, constitutionally provided powers for its governor?

A)Indiana
B)Oklahoma
C)New York
D)Mississippi
E)Vermont

Question 20

Which of the following states does NOT have four-year terms for their governors?

A)New Hampshire
B)New York
C)Texas
D)Virginia
E)California

Question 21

The final budget document is presented to the legislature for adoption as a(n) ________.

A)line item
B)appropriations measure
C)amendment
D)executive order
E)bill

Question 22

________ provides governors in a few states the power to return a bill to the legislature with suggested language changes, conditions, or modifications.Legislators then decide either to accept the governor's recommendations or to pass the bill in its original form over the veto.

A)Amendatory veto
B)Pocket veto
C)Line item veto
D)Reduction veto
E)Absolute veto

Question 23

In nearly half the states, the ________ is elected on the same ticket as the governor and the job and its influence depend very much on the discretion of the governor.

A)mayor
B)treasurer
C)attorney general
D)secretary of state
E)lieutenant governor

Question 24

What was the position of state governors to the changes made by congress to the Insurrection Act in 2007?

A)most governors felt it did not impinge on state rights
B)governors vehemently opposed the changes
C)support was equally split among governors
D)support was split along partisan lines
E)strong support from all governors

Question 25

________ is the rejection by a president or governor of legislation passed by a legislature.

A)Ordinance
B)Veto
C)Proclamation
D)Injunction
E)Executive order

Question 26

Which of the following federal executive positions is comparable with the lieutenant governor's role at the state?

A)National Security Advisor
B)Speaker of the House
C)Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
D)vice president
E)attorney general

Question 27

Richardson, the governor of New Jersey, is not happy with the budget allocated toward a particular expenditure in the appropriations bill.Which of the following powers will he use to change the bill without sending the bill back to the legislature?

A)amendatory veto
B)absolute veto
C)line item veto
D)reduction veto
E)pocket veto

Question 28

________ is a directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.

A)Amendatory veto
B)Proclamation
C)Line item veto
D)Reduction veto
E)Executive order

Question 29

Under which of the following events is the governor in charge of and directs the state national guard?

A)war
B)military training exercises
C)peacekeeping operations in other countries
D)disaster relief operations
E)invasion

Question 30

Where does most of the funding for the state National Guard come from?

A)state taxes
B)state bonds
C)the U.S.Congress
D)the Department of Homeland Security
E)the U.N

Question 31

Which of the following statements is true of the state's National Guard?

A)They are used by governors in the event of riots.
B)They cannot be deployed for combat outside the U.S.
C)Most of their funding is from the World Bank.
D)Both Congress and the President require the governor's approval to use them.
E)Governors can prohibit the federal government from taking charge of the National Guard.

Question 32

________ provides an executive the right to veto parts of a spending bill approved by a legislature without having to veto the entire bill.

A)Amendatory veto
B)Pocket veto
C)Line item veto
D)Reduction veto
E)Absolute veto

Question 33

Which of the following statements is true about pardons granted by the governor?

A)Governors require approval from the state legislature to pardon crimes.
B)Governors can only pardon criminals approved by the pardon board.
C)Governors can pardon all state crimes.
D)Governors lack the power to grant a reprieve by delaying punishments.
E)Governor granted pardons are politically unpopular.

Question 34

Which of the following arguments best describes the level of control that the governor has over the budgetary process?

A)Governors control the overall process completely.
B)The process is completely controlled by the state legislature.
C)Governors can only affect expenditures at the edges of the overall budget.
D)The budgetary process is entirely controlled by the President.
E)The state executive-level agencies control most of the process.

Question 35

In most states, ________ is typically required for a state legislature to overturn a governor's veto.

A)dominant minority
B)majority minority
C)zero majority
D)two-thirds majority
E)one-fifths majority

Question 36

Recent federal legislation that has turned over programs to state governments designates the state's ________ as the chief planning and administrative officer.

A)governor
B)attorney general
C)comptroller
D)treasurer
E)auditor-general

Question 37

________ provides governors in a few states the power to scale down a particular appropriation.

A)Amendatory veto
B)Pocket veto
C)Line item veto
D)Reduction veto
E)Absolute veto

Question 38

Which of the following has increased governors' managerial control in recent years?

A)new state legislations
B)new amendments to state constitution
C)modern management techniques
D)new federal legislations
E)popular mandate

Question 39

Which of the following statements is true of budgets?

A)In 15 states, the budget is prepared biennially but the governor proposes changes in the second year.
B)Only two states-New Jersey and New York-have true biennial budgets.
C)Governors seldom use their annual State of the State Address to present the budget recommendations.
D)The final budget document is presented to the general public for adoption as an appropriations measure.
E)State monies can be spent without legislative appropriations.

Question 40

Which of the following arguments is used by critics to oppose the reorganization of state administrations?

A)Reformers often fail to foresee the risks in creating a powerful chief executive with no check.
B)Reformers will think only about profit and lose focus on customers i.e.the public.
C)Reformers will have only short-term gains and lack strategic planning.
D)Reformers want to automate several systems that will cause mass unemployment.
E)Reformers fail to consider or utilize performance measurement indexes.

Question 41

Which of the following is the role of the secretary of state?

A)represents the state before the courts
B)replaces the governor in case of the governor's death
C)ensures that state laws are implemented properly
D)publishes the laws
E)acts as the guardian of the state's money

Question 42

Which of the following is the most common method of choosing treasurers?

A)appointment by the state supreme court
B)legislative election
C)popular election
D)appointment by the federal government
E)appointment by the governor

Question 43

Which of the following is the most common method for choosing an attorney general?

A)popular election
B)legislative election
C)appointments by the state supreme court
D)appointments by the federal government
E)appointments by the governor

Question 44

Which of the following is the method used for choosing lieutenant governors?

A)appointed by the federal government
B)appointed by the state supreme court
C)appointed by the governor
D)chosen by election
E)elected by the legislature

Question 45

Which of the following state officials is usually involved in ensuring that state laws are implemented properly?

A)governor
B)secretary of state
C)lieutenant governor
D)treasurer
E)attorney general

Question 46

In some of the states, it is possible for an eighteen year old to be elected as state governor.

Question 47

Which of the following is the most common method of choosing secretaries of state?

A)appointment by the federal government
B)popular election
C)appointment by the state supreme court
D)appointment by the governor
E)legislative election

Question 48

Mitch Michelson, the incumbent governor of Virginia, is running for election in the next term and it is possible for him to win.

Question 49

What is the role of a state's attorney general?

A)represents the state before the courts
B)helps the governor run the state
C)develops fiscal policies for the state
D)supervises state elections
E)acts as the guardian of the state's money

Question 50

The "preaudit" process is increasingly being assigned to the state's ________.

A)secretary
B)comptroller
C)attorney-general
D)budget director
E)lieutenant governor

Question 51

Michael is the governor of New York State and has been implicated in a scandal that forces him to resign.Which of the following is the next step by the state of New York in filling his position?

A)The state immediately conducts elections.
B)The federal government appoints a temporary governor until popular elections.
C)The secretary of state of New York steps in as a temporary governor until popular elections.
D)The lieutenant governor of New York is sworn in as governor to finish the original term.
E)The state legislature appoints a temporary governor until popular elections.

Question 52

Most state governors earn salaries that are comparable to CEOs of major corporations.

Question 53

Which of the following is expected of governors in the present day?

A)to act as chief booster to attract business and tourism
B)to represent the state in courts
C)to oversee authorization and payment of state monies
D)to oversee the public school system
E)to petition for more funds from the World Bank

Question 54

All states have terms lasting four years for their elected governors.

Question 55

Though most secretaries of state have varying responsibilities based on states, which of the following activities comes under the purview of all secretaries of state?

A)supervising state elections
B)licensing the professionals
C)issuing certificates of incorporation
D)having authority over local prosecutors
E)being the guardian of the state's money

Question 56

Which of the following state officials is primarily responsible for executing the 2002 federal Help America Vote Act?

A)lieutenant governor
B)secretary of state
C)director of election administration
D)attorney general
E)auditor

Question 57

Which document certifies that expenditure is authorized by law and that the money is available in the treasury?

A)credit note
B)authorization certificate
C)warrant
D)charter
E)memorandum of association

Question 58

What is the role of an auditor in the state government?

A)represents the state before the courts
B)helps the governor run the state
C)ensures that state laws are implemented properly
D)authorizes payments from the state treasury
E)acts as the guardian of the state's money

Question 59

Only people who have held past elected office can be elected as governor.

Question 60

What is the role of the treasurer?

A)represents the state before the courts
B)helps the governor run the state
C)ensures that state laws are implemented properly
D)publishes the laws
E)acts as the guardian of the state's money

Question 61

Executive orders do not require any approval from state legislature to go into effect.

Question 62

The governor has limited authority over other elected officials and he or she cannot dismiss them.

Question 63

The President of the United States does not share executive power with several other elected and appointed officials.

Question 64

The line item veto is unique to state governors in 43 states and this cannot be exercised by the President of the United States.

Question 65

While the attorney general can represent the state in all cases, most states prevent them from getting involved in criminal prosecutions.

Question 66

The governor and the chief budget officials exclusively have control over the budgetary process.

Question 67

Governors have the constitutional powers to grant clemency to criminals.

Question 68

Most states prepare a budget and present it to the state legislature annually.

Question 69

Most governors do not receive any financial incentives after being appointed governors of their state.

Question 70

In several but not all cases, state money can be spent without legislative appropriations.

Question 71

Congress and the president have the power to take charge of a state's National Guard even against the wishes of a governor.

Question 72

North Carolina offers weak formal powers to its governors.

Question 73

Only the President of the United States and not the governors have the powers to command the state National Guard.

Question 74

The governor holds all executive power in the state.

Question 75

The post of lieutenant governor is present in all of the U.S.states.

Question 76

States are not allowed to borrow money, therefore, they must raise enough revenue to cover costs, or cut enough costs to meet revenues.

Question 77

State administrators whose programs are supported by federal funds have a measure of independence from the governor.

Question 78

The governor can pardon offenders of any crime.

Question 79

Governors lack the constitutional powers required to veto legislation.

Question 80

Reformers have successfully argued that presidential and gubernatorial elections should be separated so that state elections are not swamped by the tides of national politics.