Question 1

Which of the following best describes the focus of the Texas Public Policy Foundation?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a conservative think tank that focuses on promoting conservative policies in Texas, including limited government, free markets, and individual liberties.

Question 2

Put the stages of the policy process in the correct order.

Accepted Answer

The correct order of the policy process is: agenda setting, policy making, implementation, and evaluation. This sequence starts with identifying issues, then formulating policies, executing them, and finally assessing their effectiveness.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a regulation?

Accepted Answer

Regulations are rules or directives made and maintained by an authority. A minimum wage for workers is a regulation as it sets a legal standard for wages.

Question 4

Bond programs are

Accepted Answer

Bond programs are exceptions to the requirement in the Texas Constitution for a balanced budget because they allow the state to borrow money for specific projects, which is not accounted for in the annual balanced budget requirement.

Question 5

When can the governor and the Legislative Budget Board exercise their budget execution authority?

Accepted Answer

The governor and the Legislative Budget Board can exercise their budget execution authority during an emergency when the legislature has adjourned, allowing them to make necessary budget adjustments without waiting for the legislature to reconvene.

Question 6

Texas has a constitutional amendment limiting spending for

Accepted Answer

Texas has a constitutional amendment limiting spending for welfare.

Question 7

From which of the following sources does Texas receive the most revenue?

Accepted Answer

Texas receives the most revenue from sales taxes, as it does not have a state income tax.

Question 8

Who pays the lowest taxes (measured as a percentage of the gross domestic product)?

Accepted Answer

Texans, as part of the United States, generally pay lower taxes as a percentage of GDP compared to European countries like Sweden and Germany, and even compared to Canada.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes Texas's overall tax system?

Accepted Answer

Texas's tax system is considered regressive because it relies heavily on sales and property taxes, which take a larger percentage of income from lower-income individuals compared to higher-income individuals.

Question 10

Which of the following taxes are progressive?

Accepted Answer

Personal income taxes are progressive because the tax rate increases as the taxpayer's income increases, meaning higher-income individuals pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes compared to lower-income individuals.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes per capita state spending in Texas compared with other states?

Accepted Answer

Texas is known for its relatively low per capita state spending compared to most other states, often ranking near the bottom in terms of spending per resident.

Question 12

Public schools operating under a contract granted by the state and giving them independence from local school boards are known as

Accepted Answer

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a contract or "charter" with the state, providing them with greater independence from local school boards.

Question 13

What is the primary source of revenue for school districts in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The primary source of revenue for school districts in Texas is taxes generated by local school districts, primarily through property taxes.

Question 14

What was Demetrio Rodriguez's complaint in his lawsuit against the San Antonio independent school district?

Accepted Answer

Demetrio Rodriguez's lawsuit argued that the Texas school finance system was unconstitutional because it resulted in unequal funding for schools, violating the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law.

Question 15

According to the text of the Texas Constitution, the legislature must create

Accepted Answer

The Texas Constitution mandates that the legislature create "an efficient system of public free schools."

Question 16

The school finance system put into effect after the decision in Edgewood v. Kirby is sometimes referred to as

Accepted Answer

The school finance system implemented after the Edgewood v. Kirby decision is commonly known as "Robin Hood" because it involves redistributing property tax revenue from wealthier districts to poorer ones to ensure more equitable funding across schools.

Question 17

Health and human services policies are often designed to help those who live in poverty. Compared with other states, which of the following most accurately describes the extent of poverty and health and human services in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Texas has high poverty rates compared to other states and is known for providing minimal health and human services, often ranking low in terms of social service spending and access.

Question 18

The primary goal of the Top 10 Percent Law was to:

Accepted Answer

The Top 10 Percent Law was designed to increase diversity at Texas colleges by guaranteeing admission to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class, thereby promoting a more diverse student body.

Question 19

The Top 10 Percent Law was in response to which of the following cases?

Accepted Answer

The Top 10 Percent Law was enacted in response to the Hopwood v. Texas case, which challenged affirmative action policies in university admissions.

Question 20

Texas's transportation policies and resources focus on

Accepted Answer

Texas's transportation policies and resources primarily focus on roads due to the state's large size and reliance on automobiles for transportation.

Quiz 8: Public Policy in Texas