Question 1

Unlike federal spending, state spending patterns have ______.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

The federal government has primary responsibility for spending in all of the following areas EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

While the federal government can provide some funding to states for corrections programs and facilities, it is the responsibility of the states to manage their own correctional systems.

Question 3

How are special-purpose governments funded?

Accepted Answer

Special-purpose governments are typically funded through user fees collected for specific services, such as tolls for highways or water fees for water districts. These governments may also have special tax authority to levy taxes for their particular purpose, such as sales taxes for tourism or hotel taxes for convention and visitor bureaus. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. State personal income taxes (option B) and federal grants (option C) are typically used for general-purpose governments, while nonprofit contributions (option D) may provide additional funding for specific programs but are not a primary funding source for special-purpose governments. Federal appropriations (option E) may be used for federally mandated programs, but again, this is not a primary funding source for special-purpose governments.

Question 4

Which level of government plays the intermediary role in the system's finances by, among other things, managing programs at one level of government and distributing aid to yet another level of government?

Accepted Answer

The state level of government plays the intermediary role in the system's finances by managing programs at a local level of government and distributing aid to the federal level of government. This is because the federal government has limited ability to directly manage local programs and initiatives, so they rely on state governments to act as the intermediary. Additionally, state governments have more flexibility in distributing aid and implementing programs that are specific to their state's needs.

Question 5

Since the 1960s, the growth of government employees at the state and local level has ______.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of state and local government employees has increased steadily since the 1960s, with a slight decrease during the 2008-2009 recession, but has continued to grow overall.

Question 6

When comparing federal, state, and local government, the job of government varies according to ______.

Accepted Answer

The job of government varies according to its level, as each level has specific responsibilities and areas of authority. Federal government deals with issues that affect the entire country, while state governments focus on issues within the state, and local governments focus on issues within their respective cities, towns, and counties. Size, budget, and growth may affect the operations of each level of government, but they are not the primary determinant of the job of government at each level.

Question 7

In the last two presidential administrations, Bush and Obama, Americans' trust in their government has ______.

Accepted Answer

According to various surveys and polls, trust in the government has declined during both the Bush and Obama administrations. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Great Recession, and political polarization are among the factors that have contributed to the erosion of trust in government.

Question 8

The growth of transfer functions emphasizes that different kinds of governmental programs require different ______.

Accepted Answer

Transfer functions involve the transfer of authority, responsibility, and funds from one government agency to another. This requires different administrative approaches depending on the specific governmental program involved. Therefore, the growth of transfer functions emphasizes the need for different administrative approaches.

Question 9

Who argues that different levels of government concentrate on different services?

Accepted Answer

Kettl argues that different levels of government concentrate on different services.

Question 10

Which level of government concentrates the most on the direct delivery of services?

Accepted Answer

The local level of government, such as cities and towns, is responsible for the direct delivery of services such as police and fire protection, waste management, and public works. Local governments are more directly connected to the needs of their residents and can tailor their services accordingly. Federal and state governments tend to focus more on policies and regulations, while international organizations deal with global issues rather than direct service delivery.

Question 11

What can significantly expand government's power while expending relatively little money?

Accepted Answer

Regulations can significantly expand government's power in controlling businesses, industries, and individuals without requiring a large expenditure of money. This is because elaborate regulatory schemes can be created with the existing resources of government agencies. Regulations also do not require direct expenditures on government programs or services.

Question 12

State governments have primary responsibility for funding all of the following services EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

Protection of natural resources is primarily a federal responsibility, although states do play a significant role. The other options (welfare, higher education, and public safety inspections) are primarily funded at the state level.

Question 13

There has been a change in government tools in that the ______.

Accepted Answer

In recent years, governments have shifted towards using more indirect tools such as tax incentives, regulations, and subsidies rather than direct tools like government spending and public works projects. This trend is largely due to a desire for more flexible and targeted policies that can respond to changing economic conditions.

Question 14

When people think of public administration, it is usually about what?

Accepted Answer

When people think of public administration, they often think of direct administration where government officials directly provide services or regulate various aspects of society. Indirect administration (A) typically involves the use of private contractors or non-governmental organizations to carry out government functions. Administration through grants (C) involves providing funds to other organizations to carry out specific tasks. Government by proxy (D) is a broader term that includes indirect and grant-based administration as well as other methods where the government relies on outside organizations or individuals to carry out its duties.

Question 15

The federal tax deduction for mortgage interest and local property taxes is considered a ______.

Accepted Answer

The federal tax deduction for mortgage interest and local property taxes is considered a tax expenditure, as it represents a loss of revenue for the government, similar to a direct government expenditure or grant.

Question 16

Which level of government spends the most on defense, space, and veterans' services?

Accepted Answer

The federal government spends the most on defense, space, and veterans' services. This is because these are national-level priorities and fall under the federal government's jurisdiction. State governments and local governments may have their own departments for veterans' services, but they do not typically have the resources to fund large-scale defense or space programs. County governments are even more limited in their ability to fund these types of services.

Question 17

The use of third-party agents to deliver programs that the government funds is ______.

Accepted Answer

The use of third-party agents to deliver programs that the government funds is known as "government by proxy." This is because these agents act as proxies for the government in delivering services to citizens.

Question 18

Direct government includes the provision of goods and services, whereas indirect government emphasizes all of the following EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

Indirect government typically involves methods such as vouchers, contracting out of government programs, and grants. Interest on the national debt is not typically considered a direct or indirect government method of providing goods and services.

Question 19

Local governments generally have primary responsibility for funding all of the following EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

Highways are usually funded by state or federal government, while elementary education, fire protection, and police protection are typically funded by local governments.

Question 20

Recent federal government spending is ______.

Accepted Answer

Recent federal government spending is concentrated among a few categories, with significant portions allocated to healthcare, Social Security, and defense, rather than being evenly spread across many areas or primarily focused on foreign aid and the direct delivery of services.

Quiz 2: What Government Does And How It Does It