Question 1

Which of the following entities has the power to regulate intrastate commerce?

Accepted Answer

Local government has the power to regulate intrastate commerce within their jurisdiction. Congress, the president, NTSB, and the Supreme Court have authority over interstate commerce and/or other areas of governance.

Question 2

State legislatures have been often criticized for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

State legislatures have been criticized for being unprofessional and ineffective due to factors such as partisan gridlock, lack of diversity, and low levels of public trust.

Question 3

The constitutional initiative that exists in some states allows which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The constitutional initiative allows citizens to propose amendments to the state constitution and place them on the ballot for a vote, bypassing the need for a constitutional convention.

Question 4

Your state has just levied a new income tax. What type of power is it exercising?

Accepted Answer

The state is exercising its reserved powers as outlined in the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, which reserves to the states all powers not delegated to the federal government. The power to levy taxes is not delegated to the federal government, so it is a power that the individual states can exercise.

Question 5

The state legislature has passed an appropriations bill and sent it on to the governor to sign. The governor approves of most of the bill but wants to veto a particular line of it. Which of the following types of veto can the governor use to do this?

Accepted Answer

An item veto allows the governor to veto a particular line or item in an appropriations bill, while leaving the rest of the bill intact. The other types of vetoes listed do not apply to this situation.

Question 6

Which of the following opinions would be consistent with the views of Jacksonian democracy?

Accepted Answer

Jacksonian democracy emphasized the importance of expanding democratic participation by increasing the number of elected officials and promoting the representation of ordinary citizens in government. Option A is not consistent because it concentrates power in the hands of one individual rather than the people. Option C is not consistent because Jacksonian Democrats believed in two houses of the legislature. Option D is not consistent because it goes against the idea of expanding democracy and giving ordinary citizens a voice. Option E is not consistent because Jacksonian Democrats generally preferred popular election of the governor over legislative appointment.

Question 7

Consider the founders of your state drafting the state's constitution, which is lengthy and very detailed. Why might they feel the need to be so specific in the state constitution?

Accepted Answer

The state constitution needs to fill gaps left by the very brief federal Constitution in order to establish specific guidelines and regulations that are relevant to the particular state.

Question 8

According to historians, the length and mass detail of many state constitutions reflect what?

Accepted Answer

The length and mass detail of many state constitutions during the late 1800s reflected the loss of popular confidence in state legislatures. Citizens were frustrated with corrupt and ineffective state governments, leading to demands for more detailed and specific constitutional provisions. This led to longer and more detailed state constitutions as a way to limit the power and corruption of state legislatures.

Question 9

How many states allow the governor to use the item veto for legislation that does not involve appropriations?

Accepted Answer

19 states allow the governor to use the item veto for legislation that does not involve appropriations.

Question 10

Your state has imposed a new traffic law by setting the speed limit on certain highways within the state to 70 mph. What type of general power allows the state to do this?

Accepted Answer

States have the power to regulate behavior and enforce order within their territory for the betterment of the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of their inhabitants, which is known as the police power. Setting speed limits falls under this category.

Question 11

In regard to the U.S. Constitution, which of the following is true of state and local laws?

Accepted Answer

State and local laws must not conflict with the U.S. Constitution, as it is the supreme law of the land. If there is a conflict, the Constitution prevails. Amendments to the Constitution may also impact state and local laws, but they do not need to be specifically acknowledged for state and local laws to be valid. The approval of the president is not required for state and local laws. Future Supreme Court opinions may impact the interpretation of state and local laws, but they do not have to take them into account when initially created.

Question 12

Which of the following issues recently addressed by the state of Arizona has resulted in laws that have some aspects that are at odds with federal policies and were found to be unconstitutional?

Accepted Answer

Arizona's immigration policies, such as SB 1070, have been found to be at odds with federal policies and unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The other issues listed do not have as clear of a conflict with federal policies.

Question 13

Which of the following do all state governments in the United States have?

Accepted Answer

All state governments in the United States have an executive, legislative, and judicial branch.

Question 14

You are very interested in public service and think you might like to be president some day. You notice that four presidents since the mid-1970s have held this position prior to becoming president. Therefore, you want to develop a career path that includes which of the following elected positions?

Accepted Answer

Of the options listed, governor is the only elected position that has led to the presidency in the past few decades. Holding a governorship provides executive experience, which is valuable for a potential presidential candidate. Additionally, being a governor often involves working with state legislatures, which can provide valuable experience in understanding how to work with legislators and get things done. Therefore, holding the position of governor would be the best choice for someone interested in a career path that includes becoming president.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of the federal system in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The federal system in the United States involves 50 separate state governments and one national government. While the national government has certain powers outlined in the Constitution, the states also have significant powers and responsibilities. Local governments are created by the state governments, not the other way around. Governmental programs are shared between the federal government and the states, with some programs being the exclusive responsibility of one level or the other. The states are not creatures of the national government, as they existed and formed their own governments prior to the establishment of the federal government.

Question 16

What does the Constitution say in Article VI, Clause 2 regarding state and local governmental activity?

Accepted Answer

Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. This is known as the Supremacy Clause, and it means that state and local governmental activity is restricted because any state or local law that conflicts with federal law is considered invalid. Therefore, the supremacy of the national government over state and local government is established in this clause.

Question 17

How would you characterize the power of governors appointed by the Crown during the colonial period?

Accepted Answer

Governors appointed by the Crown during the colonial period were generally weak because they lacked popular support and faced resistance from local colonial assemblies. The power dynamic was often tilted in favor of the colonists, rather than the governor.

Question 18

You live in a state in which the governor rarely travels out of state. The reason is to prevent the lieutenant governor from exercising power while the governor is away. Which of the following scenarios describes how the governor and lieutenant governor were most likely chosen for office?

Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the governor and lieutenant governor were likely elected separately, possibly from different political parties, leading to a situation where the governor is cautious about leaving the state to avoid the lieutenant governor, who may have different political views, from exercising power.

Question 19

Which of the following factors does the text suggest is needed to create a strong governor's office?

Accepted Answer

A governor with a strong personality is often seen as a key factor in creating a strong governor's office, as it can help in effectively leading and influencing both the government and the public.

Question 20

In nearly all states, the governor has the power of the item veto that allows him or her to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The item veto, also known as a line-item veto, allows a governor to reject specific provisions or items in a bill, particularly budget appropriations, without vetoing the entire bill. This power is often used to decrease or eliminate specific spending items.

Quiz 18: State and Local Government