Question 1

Describe the sources of funding for public school districts in Texas and explain the funding challenges facing public education. What should the state government do to address issues of inequity and inadequate funding?

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Question 2

Briefly describe the three powers held by home-rule cities that are not held by state government or general-law cities. Explain how the exercise of these powers by citizens may be slowed or blocked.

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Question 3

What is municipal annexation and how are cities limited in their ability to annex surrounding areas?

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Question 4

Provide a basic understanding of the role of property taxes in local government financing, including a description of the role played by the county tax appraisal districts. What problems arise from the use of property taxes and for whom are the problems most challenging? If the property tax were to be abandoned, what alternative tax source might replace it?

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Question 5

Describe the four forms of municipal government used in Texas, including their characteristics and principal strengths and weaknesses. What form of municipal government do you think would be best for your city and why?

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Question 6

Describe the structure and main responsibilities of county government in Texas. Should there be changes in the present constitutional provisions regarding county structure and power? If so, what is needed?

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Question 7

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of nonpartisan elections at the local government level. Do you think it would benefit local government if candidates ran with a party label? Why or why not?

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Question 8

Why is local government so important to a citizen's quality of life? If local government is so important, why is it so difficult to get people as involved as they need to be? What can be done to increase local awareness and civic engagement?

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Question 9

How have at-large elections led to the under-represent ethnic minorities in some Texas cities? Why do single-member districts tend to improve diversity in representation?

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Question 10

Explain why municipal (city) governments are formed in Texas. Include a description of the minimum number of people required to form a city, the types of city government charters available, and the basic functions cities perform.

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Question 11

Describe the differences and similarities between the strong mayor-council and weak mayor-council forms of municipal government.

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Question 12

Explain why special districts are created in Texas. Detail the two main categories of special districts (school and noneducation special districts). Choose a type of special district and provide an understanding of its general functions and the services it provides.

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Question 13

Why have colonias developed in Texas, and what challenges do residents of colonias face? What role should state and local governments play in addressing those challenges?

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Question 14

The unincorporated area outside a city's boundaries into which it may annex is referred to as
A) extraterritorial jurisdiction.
B) metropolitan area.
C) municipality.
D) merged territory.

Accepted Answer

The unincorporated area outside a city's boundaries into which it may annex is referred to as extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Question 15

Describe the authority under which school districts must operate. Include an understanding of district autonomy and state authority, including the role of the State Board of Education, and the role of federal regulations in the administration of education at the local level.

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Question 16

What is the difference between Dillon's Rule and the Cooley Doctrine? Which does Texas follow more closely and in what ways does this effect the relationship between state and local governments here?

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Quiz 3: Local Governments