Question 1

Which of the following is not a factor that significantly influences the manner in which legislative bodies deliberate on proposed executive budgets?

Accepted Answer

All the listed factors, including the role of party leadership, the availability of staff, and the amount of time in session, significantly influence how legislative bodies deliberate on proposed executive budgets.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a strategy used by legislatures in the budget process?

Accepted Answer

The line-item veto is a power used by executives, such as governors or the president, not by legislatures. Legislatures do not have the authority to employ a line-item veto.

Question 3

During the very difficult fiscal years of 2009 and 2010, how many states, on average, had to cut their budgets by midyear because of the recession?

Accepted Answer

During the fiscal years of 2009 and 2010, the recession led to significant budget shortfalls, causing an average of 40 states to make midyear budget cuts.

Question 4

The federal agency that prepares cost estimates, or fiscal notes, on bills reported out of a House or Senate Committee is the:

Accepted Answer

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is responsible for providing cost estimates and fiscal notes for bills reported out of House or Senate Committees.

Question 5

What is the term for the general review of executive operations, especially in the implementation of laws, by legislative bodies?

Accepted Answer

Legislative oversight is the term used for the review and monitoring of executive operations by legislative bodies, particularly in the implementation of laws.

Question 6

In the United States, most legislative bodies may approve a budget that diverges in important respects from the budget proposed by the chief executive.

Accepted Answer

Legislative bodies, such as Congress at the federal level or state legislatures, have the power to modify, amend, or reject the budget proposed by the chief executive, such as the President or a Governor, and approve a budget that reflects their priorities.

Question 7

Today, legislative bodies like city councils, school boards, state legislatures, and the U.S. Congress are reasserting their authority to set policy and are taking measures to increase their ability to wield the powers granted to them.

Accepted Answer

Legislative bodies are actively working to strengthen their roles and influence in policy-making, often in response to perceived overreach by other branches of government or to address pressing issues more effectively.

Question 8

A study about the budgetary effects of legislative term limits in the United States found that they tended to make government spending decrease.

Accepted Answer

Research on the effects of legislative term limits on government spending has shown mixed results, with some studies indicating no significant impact or even an increase in spending due to reduced legislative experience and expertise.

Question 9

Late budget adoption by a legislative body can contribute to lower bond ratings for that government.

Accepted Answer

Late budget adoption can signal fiscal mismanagement or instability, which may lead credit rating agencies to lower bond ratings due to perceived increased risk.

Question 10

In earlier times, a legislature was considered to be solely responsible for setting policy; however, the expanded use of executive budget systems has given the chief executive an important policymaking role.

Accepted Answer

The executive budget system allows the chief executive to propose a budget, influencing policy decisions and priorities, thus expanding their role in policymaking beyond the legislature.

Question 11

In some states, budgetary authority is shared relatively equally by the legislative body and the governor.

Accepted Answer

In some U.S. states, both the legislative body and the governor have significant roles in the budgetary process, allowing for shared authority and collaboration in budget decisions.

Question 12

The legislative body, given that its members represent every part of a governmental jurisdiction, has a broader perspective on the budget than the chief executive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The legislative body, given that its members...

Question 13

In some states, legislatures can exercise veto power over executive agency regulations.

Accepted Answer

Some states have legislative review processes that allow legislatures to reject or modify regulations proposed by executive agencies, effectively giving them veto power over these regulations.

Question 14

What is the term for a legislative report that analyses and reports on the current and future costs of implementing a proposed bill?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the term for a legislative...

Question 15

What do we call the executive authority to reduce or eliminate funds for individual programs from a budget adopted by a legislative body?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do we call the executive authority...

Question 16

What is meant by the phrase, 'the executive proposes and the legislature disposes'?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is meant by the phrase, 'the...

Question 17

In which states does the legislature have limited or no authority to adopt budgetary amounts above those recommended by the governor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which states does the legislature have...

Question 18

What are the three sequential actions typically involved in adopting a public budget?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three sequential actions typically...

Question 19

What are the methods that legislatures use to perform oversight?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the methods that legislatures use...

Question 20

What are the major factors the both constrain and influence a legislative body's deliberations on the budget? How do agencies attempt to influence the legislature on behalf of their programs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the major factors the both...

Quiz 9: Budget Approval: The Role of the Legislature