Question 1

The Comptroller of Public Account is responsible for collecting taxes and handling state funds.

Accepted Answer

The Comptroller of Public Accounts is typically responsible for collecting taxes, managing state funds, and overseeing financial operations in a state.

Question 2

Texas and Alaska are the only states that entered the Union with large amounts of public lands and only they have land offices.

Accepted Answer

Texas and Alaska are the only states that entered the Union with large amounts of public lands, and they are the only states that have land offices.

Question 3

The Texas Department of Agriculture is limited in its power to that of regulating agriculture in Texas.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Department of Agriculture also oversees consumer protection, economic development, healthy living, and school nutrition programs, among other responsibilities.

Question 4

Among the responsibilities of the Texas Secretary of State are supervising elections, keeping lists of lobbyists, keeping records on campaign expenditures, issuing corporate charters, and publishing the Texas Register.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Secretary of State has these responsibilities, including overseeing elections, maintaining records related to lobbying and campaign finance, issuing corporate charters, and publishing the Texas Register, which is the state's official journal of agency rules and notices.

Question 5

The main responsibility of the Texas Railroad Commission is supervision of the interstate railroads in Texas.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Railroad Commission primarily regulates the oil and gas industry, natural gas utilities, pipeline safety, and surface mining, not railroads.

Question 6

An ex officio board is one where the members are appointed by the Governor.

Accepted Answer

An ex officio board refers to members who hold their position by virtue of holding another office, not necessarily appointed by the Governor.

Question 7

Most of the state's laws are administered by board and commissions whose members are appointed by the governor rather than elected.

Accepted Answer

In many states, boards and commissions are responsible for administering specific laws and regulations, and their members are often appointed by the governor to ensure expertise and oversight in specialized areas.

Question 8

Members of a typical state agency are appointed for six-year overlapping terms and serve without pay.

Accepted Answer

Members of a typical state agency serve without pay.

Question 9

The iron triangle is the three-way relationship between legislative committees, client groups, and the agencies which are supposed to regulate or control them.

Accepted Answer

The iron triangle refers to the stable, mutually beneficial relationship between legislative committees, interest groups (client groups), and bureaucratic agencies, where each party supports the others to achieve their goals.

Question 10

State agencies frequently utilize the client groups with whom they work to attempt to persuade the legislature to assist them with funds or laws.

Accepted Answer

State agencies often collaborate with client groups to lobby the legislature for financial support or legislative changes that benefit their programs or services.

Question 11

One of the most significant areas of authority for bureaucratic agencies is the exercise of administrative discretion.

Accepted Answer

Administrative discretion allows bureaucratic agencies to interpret and implement laws and regulations, making decisions within the scope of their authority.

Question 12

According to the authors of the text, a much needed reform of the executive branch in Texas would result in the creation of a cabinet style government with the governor in charge.

Accepted Answer

The authors suggest that reforming the executive branch in Texas would involve establishing a cabinet-style government, which would centralize authority under the governor.

Question 13

The Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Audit Committee are examples of some of the tools of legislative oversight.

Accepted Answer

These entities are established to assist in the oversight and evaluation of government operations and expenditures, ensuring accountability and efficiency.

Question 14

The Sunset Advisory Commission was established by the legislature to periodically review agencies and recommend to the legislature whether they should be abolished, revised, or renewed.

Accepted Answer

The Sunset Advisory Commission was created to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of state agencies and make recommendations to the legislature regarding their continuation or modification.

Question 15

The legislature has strengthened the rights of the public to have access to the records of public agencies and required that governmental bodies hold their meetings in public.

Accepted Answer

The legislature has enacted laws such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and open meeting laws to ensure transparency and public access to government records and meetings.

Question 16

A whistle-blower is member of the news media that blows the whistle on governmental excesses.

Accepted Answer

A whistle-blower is typically an insider, such as an employee or former employee, who exposes information or activities within an organization that are deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct, rather than a member of the news media.

Question 17

Regarding the election in which the Governor of Texas is elected

Accepted Answer

The Governor of Texas is elected in a partisan election held in November of even-numbered years that are not presidential election years.

Question 18

Regarding the compensation (pay)of the Governor of Texas, the office ranks as

Accepted Answer

The Governor of Texas's compensation has slipped to the rank of 23rd among U.S. governors' salaries.

Question 19

Compared to other urban states, the staff of the Governor of Texas

Accepted Answer

The Governor of Texas has one of the largest staffs of governor's staffs in the nation.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a constitutional qualification to be governor of Texas?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Constitution requires that a governor be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Texas for five years immediately preceding the election, and at least 30 years old. Previous political experience is not a constitutional requirement.

Quiz 7: The Governor and State Administration