Deck 9: The texas executive

Question 1

What led Texans to work to limit the power of the governor with the Constitution of 1876?

A) demands issued by the federal government in the Reconstruction period
B) a desire to return to the principles of the Constitution of 1836
C) a popular referendum and anger at the Davis administration that led the legislature to take action
D) radical Reconstruction policies and the abuses of the Governor Davis administration
E) the Republican-dominated legislature seeking to limit the power of the Democrats

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The most visible office in the state is that of the

A) attorney general.
B) lieutenant governor.
C) governor.
D) comptroller of public accounts.
E) speaker of the House.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Senatorial ________ is an unwritten norm that allows a senator to block the governor's nomination of an individual who lives in the senator's district.

A) prerogative
B) preemption
C) courtesy
D) right
E) obligation

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The governor's power in Texas compared to other states is categorized as

A) weak.
B) moderate.
C) moderately strong.
D) strong.
E) very weak.

Question 5

To run for governor, the constitution says a candidate must be

A) thirty years old and a resident of Texas for five years.
B) literate and a property owner.
C) thirty-five years old and a resident of Texas for fourteen years.
D) forty years old and a natural-born Texan.
E) thirty-five years old and believe in a supreme being.

Question 6

The governor has the authority to veto a bill for up to

A) ten days during a session and twenty days after adjournment.
B) twenty days during a session and ten days after adjournment.
C) ten days both during a session and after adjournment.
D) twenty days both during a session and after adjournment.
E) ten days during a session but not after adjournment.

Question 7

Why was Governor James E.Ferguson impeached and convicted in 1917?

A) He was found to have embezzled $2 million from state funds.
B) He was accused of misuse of public funds following his call for an unnecessary session.
C) He was found to have attempted to sell a Senate seat.
D) He was accused of nepotism in making appointments to executive offices.
E) He was plagued by scandals concerning his financial deals with corporations.

Question 8

What characterizes the governor's appointive powers?

A) The governor's powers are constrained because of staggered terms and the plural executive.
B) The governor can remove his or her predecessor's appointments, so his or her powers are somewhat strong.
C) Despite the plural executive system, the governor has full control over many appointments.
D) The governor cannot appoint or dismiss anybody, so his or her powers are exceptionally weak.
E) Despite the plural executive, the governor does not need Senate approval to fill vacancies.

Question 9

How do the staggered terms of state boards and commissioners affect the governor?

A) It is hard for the governor to remove predecessor's appointments, which impedes progress.
B) A governor has to wait at least two years to get majorities favoring his or her policies on most boards.
C) For three years, predecessor's appointees technically do not answer to the current governor.
D) The governor cannot enact new policies until a predecessor's appointees have left.
E) A governor has to wait one year to get majorities favoring this or her policies on most boards.

Question 10

Because of the plural executive, it is difficult

A) to compromise over competing plans.
B) to attain harmony between the executive and legislative branches.
C) to coordinate an integrated policy.
D) to obtain enough votes to veto a plan from the legislature.
E) to obtain a loose confederation operation.

Question 11

The governor's budgetary power is

A) strong, as all budgetary authority is rested in the governor's office.
B) limited, as he or she has to submit a budget to the legislature along with the LLB.
C) shared with the legislature and can be strong when the same party occupies both branches.
D) limited, as he or she can only approve or veto a budget bill produced by the legislature.
E) weak, as the state comptroller exercises executive branch authority over the budget.

Question 12

The governor's main constitutional powers over the legislature include

A) the veto and the authority to call and set the agenda for special sessions.
B) the power to appoint the presiding officers of the legislature.
C) the veto and the authority to call a regular session of the legislature.
D) the power to set the legislative agenda during the regular session.
E) the power to appoint the parliamentarian of the House and the Senate.

Question 13

To override a governor's veto requires a

A) three-fifths vote in the chamber of origin only.
B) two-thirds vote in both chambers.
C) two-thirds vote in the chamber of origin and a majority vote in the second chamber.
D) majority vote in the chamber of origin and a two-thirds vote in the second chamber.
E) three-fourths vote in both chambers.

Question 14

If the governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill during the allotted time, it

A) is returned to the chamber of origin.
B) is automatically introduced in the next regular session on a "fast track."
C) dies for lack of a signature.
D) goes back to committee for more deliberation.
E) becomes a law without his signature.

Question 15

A plural executive is a(n)

A) uncommon system of authority in which the office of the governor is shared by a council chosen by the legislature.
B) system of authority in which the governorship is rotated among members of a chief council appointed by the legislature.
C) fragmented system of authority under which most statewide, executive officeholders are elected independently of the governor.
D) system of authority in which a five-member board is elected by the people who act as the chief executive ass a group.
E) fragmented system of authority under which power is equally shared between the governor and lieutenant governor, though the former is the chief executive of the state.

Question 16

A special session

A) can be held twice every legislative session for forty days.
B) can be called by the governor or lieutenant governor at any time.
C) can be called any number of times by the governor and last for thirty days.
D) can only be called by the governor, but the legislature sets the agenda.
E) can last thirty days but can only be called three times a year.

Question 17

A governor can be removed from office through impeachment proceedings initiated in the

A) Senate and conviction by the House.
B) House and conviction by the Senate.
C) House and conviction by the House.
D) Senate and conviction by the Senate.
E) House and conviction by the Senate and the House.

Question 18

What effect has the increasing cost of campaigns had on the gubernatorial election?

A) It has allowed more qualified candidates to seek the governorship, as they know how to raise funds.
B) It has led to more candidates to seek matching funds from the state to cover the costs of campaigning.
C) It has prevented many good potential candidates from running because of the burden of raising funds.
D) It has led to wealthier candidates to donate a portion of their funds to less wealthy candidates.
E) It has allowed for a greater number of candidates to seek the office because of its increasing importance.

Question 19

Though historical records on gubernatorial vetoes are not complete, so far Governor ________, having vetoed 259 bills, seems to hold the record.

A) Dan Moody
B) Bill Clements
C) Rick Perry
D) Ross Sterling
E) Ann Richards

Question 20

The first woman elected governor in Texas was

A) Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
B) Kay Bailey Hutchison.
C) Frances "Sissy" Farenthold.
D) Ann Richards.
E) Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson.

Question 21

What was the negative view of Bill Clements when he left office in 1991?

A) He had seriously degraded the state of education in Texas by vetoing numerous education bills.
B) He was an ideologue who fought for the appointments of numerous conservative judges.
C) He was an obstructionist who would rather fight the Democrats than provide leadership.
D) His actions had delayed the Republican takeover of the Senate by a decade.
E) He had overseen the slowest period of economic growth in the history of Texas.

Question 22

Governor Perry increased his support among conservative Republican voters in preparation for his 2006 reelection race by

A) passing a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
B) increasing funding for schools by cutting several welfare services.
C) passing new strict rules on the construction of new abortion clinics.
D) eliminating the state capital gains tax.
E) requiring schoolgirls to be vaccinated against a virus linked to cervical cancer.

Question 23

In carrying out the duties of his office, the governor often uses the mass media to

A) run paid advertisements.
B) leak information or float trial balloons.
C) hide information from the public.
D) run public opinion polls paid for by the governor.
E) tdistort information about his policies.

Question 24

In 1996, Attorney General Dan Morales filed a multibillion-dollar suit against ________, ultimately resulting in Texas receiving a $17.3 billion settlement.

A) the alcohol industry
B) Mexico
C) the pharmaceutical industry
D) the federal government
E) the tobacco industry

Question 25

What was the purpose of the initiative initiated by U.S.House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in 2003, which Governor Perry heavily supported?

A) It was aimed at congressional redistricting to increase the number of Republicans elected to the U.S. Congress from Texas.
B) It sought to increase the number of U.S. border guards on the Texas border with Mexico and to empower the Texas Rangers with new duties.
C) It was aimed at renegotiating and reducing the interest on money owed to the federal government by Texas.
D) It sought to decrease unemployment in Texas through the introduction of several programs co- managed by the federal and Texas state governments.
E) It was aimed at building support within Texas for new additions to NAFTA and increased trade with Mexico.

Question 26

Rick Perry has had a contentious relationship with legislators starting with

A) his obstructionist and in-your-face style during the 2001 legislative session.
B) his calling of ten special sessions following the 2001 session to force the passage of a bill.
C) his avoidance of senate approvals for board appointments by waiting until they were not in session.
D) his socially conservative stance on many issues, including same sex marriage and abortion.
E) his record vetoing of 82 bills, including one to ban executions of mentally retarded convicts.

Question 27

Governor George W.Bush used a tactic that allowed him to gain the respect of members of the legislature and get many of his initiatives passed.How did he prefer to work out his differences with the legislature?

A) He met in public with opposition leaders to hash out disagreements so that the public could stay informed and the government process would be transparent.
B) He met in private with legislative leaders to hash out differences and would refuse to leak any disagreements to the press.
C) He would often appear before the legislature on the floor to lobby his position on many bills and meet with legislators publicly after.
D) He would often identify which bills he would not veto in exchange for legislators supporting some of his policies.
E) He met every day with the presiding officers of the legislature to hash out differences and would hold a press conference with them at least once a week.

Question 28

Bill Clements was one of only ________ Texas governors to have two nonconsecutive administrations.

A) two
B) three
C) four
D) five
E) six

Question 29

Why was Governor Bill Clements overwhelmed when he took office?

A) His predecessor had left the state with a larger deficit than was publically known.
B) This was his first time in government, and he was viewed negatively for it.
C) He did not understand the limitations of the powers of the governor.
D) He faced a legislative revolt when he vetoed the budget.
E) His government stalled when a record number of resignations occurred his first day of office.

Question 30

The lieutenant governor of Texas

A) is elected in a team along with the governor, comptroller, and the attorney general.
B) is a running mate of the governor, and they are elected as a team.
C) is elected separately from the governor but has to be from the same party as the governor.
D) is a co-candidate with the governor but can still be from a different party.
E) is elected separately from the governor and can be from a different party.

Question 31

Governor Ann Richards strongly supported ________ as a new source of revenue for state government, an idea that had strong support among Texans.

A) charging for the registering motor vehicles
B) the creation of a personal income tax
C) the implementation of a casino licensing fee
D) the creation of a state lottery
E) the creation of a new tariff for trade with Mexico

Question 32

Before becoming governor, Rick Perry served as

A) state representative, speaker of the Texas House, and commissioner of agriculture.
B) state representative, commissioner of agriculture, and lieutenant governor.
C) state senator, U.S. representative, and lieutenant governor.
D) state senator, commissioner of the General Land Office, and U.S. senator.
E) state senator, railroad commissioner, and lieutenant governor.

Question 33

One of the governor's informal resources is the ability to

A) mobilize the Texas National Guard.
B) communicate to the public through the mass media.
C) call and set the agenda for special legislative sessions.
D) proclaim acts of executive clemency for convicted criminals.
E) make recommendations on the budget.

Question 34

The military authority given to the governor by the state constitution includes

A) his role as commander-in-chief of the military forces of the state, the ability to declare wars on other countries, and the ability to mobilize troops to protect Texas.
B) the ability to appoint an adjutant general and to declare war on other states to protect lives and property in Texas by mobilizing the Texas National Guard.
C) her role as the commander-in-chief of the military forces of the state and the ability to mobilize the Texas National Guard to protect lives and property anywhere in the United States.
D) the ability to override the president's use of the Texas National Guard when the needs of the state of Texas warrant it and the ability to appoint an adjutant general.
E) her role as commander-in-chief of the military forces of the state, the ability to appoint an adjutant general, and the ability to mobilize the Texas National Guard to protect lives and property in the state.

Question 35

Even though Ann Richards was a strong supporter of

A) public education, she opposed a state income tax that could have been used to raise education spending.
B) tort reform, she allowed the Texas Supreme Court to award some of the highest payouts in civil lawsuits in history.
C) human rights, she pardoned several prison guards who were found guilty of torturing inmates.
D) environmental cleanup, she failed to have the pollution indexes increased at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
E) women's and minority rights, she failed to appoint any women or minorities to state boards and commissions.

Question 36

During his administration, Bill Clements often found himself with poor public relations and at odds with ________ because of his outspokenness.

A) the legislature and news media
B) other elected officials and interest groups
C) other governors and the national government
D) the public and the media
E) interest groups and the media

Question 37

While still serving as governor, but with his eyes on the presidency, George W.Bush

A) spent little time at the state house as a result of his continual national campaigning.
B) successfully pushed the first state voucher for schools program in the United States.
C) instituted standardized testing known as the TAKS, a precursor to No Child Left Behind.
D) wooed socially conservative voters by imposing a parental abortion notification law on teenagers.
E) wooed socially conservative voters by banning all stem cell research in the state of Texas.

Question 38

The Texas attorney general is

A) mainly a civil lawyer who defends state laws enacted by the legislature.
B) a civil judge who overhears cases involving the state and private parties.
C) mainly a criminal lawyer who is primarily involved in murder cases.
D) a constitutional lawyer whose duty is to determine the constitutionality of legislation.
E) both a criminal and civil lawyer who defends the state against the federal courts.

Question 39

Why did Governor Bush face much opposition over his plan to lower property taxes?

A) Business lobbyists protested against a new business tax while the Senate was adamant to support an increased sales tax.
B) The Democratic-controlled Senate refused to approve a large increase in state sales taxes to offset it.
C) The financial crisis that Texas faced in 1997 made the idea of lowering property taxes absurd, and as a result, both chambers refused to agree to Bush's plan.
D) The House only supported Bush's plan once he backed down from the idea of lowering school taxes.
E) Education unions lobbied heavily at the proposed cuts to school funding that were necessary to offset the decrease in property taxes.

Question 40

In one of the most emotional issues of the 1993 legislative session, Governor Richards sided with police chiefs and others in killing a proposal to allow

A) private citizens to legally carry handguns.
B) private citizens to legally carry shotguns.
C) public officials to legally carry automatic weapons.
D) public officials to legally carry handguns.
E) teachers to legally carry handguns.

Question 41

The Texas governor has line-item veto power over all state bills.

Question 42

When Governor Richards tried to revive interest in giving the governor cabinet-style appointive offices, she met with only limited success.

Question 43

When George W.Bush became governor in 1994, he was fortunate to have vast formal government experience.

Question 44

Only two of the more than 200 state boards and commissions have elected members.Which boards or commissions have elected members?

A) the Railroad Commission and the State Board of Education
B) the Pardons and Paroles Board and the State Board of Education
C) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission
D) the State Board of Education and the State Treasurer's Commission
E) the State Treasurer's Commission and the Railroad Commission

Question 45

In Texas, there is no single elected official ultimately responsible for the executive branch of state government.

Question 46

The commissioner of agriculture is responsible for

A) securing federal grants to distribute to farms in Texas.
B) drafting laws that regulate agriculture in Texas.
C) carrying out laws regulating and benefitting Texas agriculture.
D) setting the price of Texas agricultural products.
E) mediating disputes between farmers over land and sales of produce.

Question 47

Until Republican Bill Clements won the election in 1978, almost every governor since 1874 had been a Democrat.

Question 48

The governor is legally responsible for ordering state officials to carry out extradition requests.

Question 49

Why has the Texas legislature worked to reduce the powers of the State Board of Education?

A) A referendum in 2005 took powers away from the board and restored them to local districts.
B) The board has been beset by philosophical and partisan bickering.
C) It has proven to be grossly ineffective in dealing with education.
D) Several of its powers were found to unconstitutional in 2005 and were restored to the legislature.
E) The board was expanding far too rapidly and was over budget.

Question 50

The top appointed official in the executive branch is the

A) commissioner of the State Board of Education.
B) secretary of state.
C) commissioner of the General Land Office.
D) director of legislative coordination.
E) attorney general.

Question 51

What is the primary responsibility of the secretary of state?

A) overseeing the Texas congressional delegation
B) maintaining official records concerning the executive branch
C) administering state election laws
D) granting charters to corporations and towns
E) representing the interests of Texas in Washington, D.C.

Question 52

The governor can propose the transfer of funds between programs or agencies to meet emergencies, with the approval of the Legislative Budget Board.

Question 53

Texas retains ownership, including mineral rights, to approximately 22 million acres of land, which are managed by the

A) Railroad Commission.
B) commissioner of agriculture.
C) secretary of the treasury.
D) commissioner of the General Land Office.
E) commissioner of the Mineral Rights Office.

Question 54

Successful governors are rarely skilled political animals who continuously develop relationships throughout the political system.

Question 55

Governors generally choose staffers without regard to loyalty or political attitudes.

Question 56

The Texas Railroad Commission

A) has three elected members and regulates the railroad industry and lignite and oil mining in Texas.
B) has five elected members and regulates lignite mining and the trucking industry.
C) has three elected members and has some oversight over rail and highway safety.
D) has twenty-seven members and regulates the railroads and rail safety.
E) has three elected members, regulates lignite mining, and has some oversight over rail safety.

Question 57

Because of the pay-as-you-go principle,

A) the legislature cannot adopt an operating budget that exceeds anticipated revenue.
B) the state can borrow money but must repay it within two months.
C) the state creates a new budget every month to adjust to changing needs.
D) the legislature has created a complicated monthly pay system to finance programs.
E) the state is prohibited from spending its financial reserves unless necessary.

Question 58

Effective use of the mass media in the polic-making process involves much more than getting on the evening news.

Question 59

Administrative responsibilities are fragmented among more than ________ state boards and commissions.

A) 100
B) 150
C) 200
D) 250
E) 300

Question 60

The comptroller of public accounts is

A) the state's primary tax administrator, a certified public accountant, and responsible for writing the budget.
B) the state's accounting officer, a certified public accountant, and responsible for proposing new taxes.
C) responsible for issuing revenue estimates, a certified public accountant, and responsible for proposing new taxes.
D) the state's primary tax administrator and accounting officer, and is responsible for issuing revenue estimates.
E) the state's primary tax administrator, the chief budget officer, and responsible for issuing revenue statements.

Question 61

List at least five offices of the plural executive, and explain the primary duties of each office.Name the current officeholder for each.

Question 62

How have the last four governors differed in style and leadership? Who was the most effective in dealing with the legislature?

Question 63

Governor Bush's public style was low key during his first term as governor.

Question 64

The day-to-day administration of the Texas Education Agency is under the direction of an elected commissioner of education.

Question 65

How have Governors Bush and Perry differed in their relations with the legislature? What have been their major achievements?

Question 66

Why does Texas have a weak governor? Outline the structure of the plural executive.Explain the strengths and challenges of this structure.

Question 67

How do the informal resources of the governor allow him or her to advance his or her political objectives?

Question 68

The governor potentially has a vast number of formal resources that can be used to shape public policy.

Question 69

Rick Perry had to duck political fallout due to the downfall of Enron, a major contributor during his political career.

Question 70

Bill Clements, an avowed fiscal conservative, signed $5.6 billion in tax increases during his second term-more than any other governor in Texas history.

Question 71

Why are the comptroller of public accounts and the lieutenant governor so important to the budgetary process? What strengths do they have over the governor?

Question 72

Bill Clements, upon arriving in Austin, did not understand the limitations of the powers of the governor.

Question 73

When Governor Bush resigned before becoming president, he was replaced by Rick Perry.

Question 74

The office of the commissioner of agriculture was created by the constitution rather than by statute.

Question 75

Taking her oath of office in January 1991, Governor Richards convinced the public that her election marked the emergence of a "New Texas" by overcoming a $4 billion budget shortfall.

Question 76

What are the appointive powers of the governor? Is the office of the Texas governor weak or strong because of its appointive powers?

Question 77

Briefly describe the formal and informal qualifications for governor.What prevents often-qualified persons from seeking the office?

Question 78

The comptroller's powerful role in budgetary affairs was enhanced by auditing and oversight authority in 1990 and 1991, leading to the identification of billions of dollars in potential savings.

Question 79

Explain the reason for the limitations imposed by the Texas Constitution on the powers of the governor.

Question 80

Describe the powers of the governor, including an explanation of the major responsibilities of each.Why is the governor of Texas considered to have some of the strongest veto powers in the country?