Question 1

The mission of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is to
A) monitor the appropriated spending of each state agency.
B) recommend the merging, abolition, or continuation of state agencies.
C) enforce the Administrative Procedures and Texas Register Act.
D) enforce the Open Meetings and Records Act.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is responsible for recommending whether a state agency should be merged or abolished, or whether it should continue to exist. This process is referred to as "sunset review." Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 2

How many employees did the state of Texas have, as of 2010?
A) 85,000
B) 125,000
C) 215,000
D) 318,000

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D: 318,000. This is because, as of 2010, the state of Texas had 318,000 employees.

Question 3

Three factors that are important in determining a state agency's success in achieving its policy goals are
A) elite access, vigor and vision of their leadership, and resources.
B) vigor and vision of the leadership, elite access, and the governor's support.
C) money, political power, and who you know.
D) elitist power, mission of the agency, and the speaker's support.

Accepted Answer

Elite access allows the agency to connect with influential individuals who can help achieve their goals, while the vigor and vision of leadership provide clear direction and motivation for the agency's employees. Adequate resources enable the agency to carry out its policies effectively, which is essential for success. Political power and personal connections (as suggested in option C) may play a role, but they are not as significant or reliable as the factors listed in option A. Options B and D are also incomplete or inaccurate, as they do not mention resources, among other key factors.

Question 4

The ability of business leaders to meet directly with bureaucrats to resolve issues is called
A) nepotism.
B) patronage.
C) cronyism.
D) elite access.

Accepted Answer

The ability of business leaders to meet directly with bureaucrats to resolve issues is referred to as elite access. Nepotism, patronage, and cronyism all involve favoritism or preferential treatment based on personal connections or relationships, which is not the same as the concept of elite access.

Question 5

Acquiring a government job based on political loyalty, without regard to ability, is called
A) elite access.
B) political patronage.
C) a merit system.
D) affirmative action.

Accepted Answer

Political patronage involves giving government jobs to individuals based on their political loyalty rather than their ability or merit.

Question 6

The approximate number of independent school districts in Texas is
A) 254.
B) 181.
C) 1,237.
D) 4,600.

Accepted Answer

There are approximately 1,237 independent school districts in Texas, reflecting the state's large size and commitment to local control over public education.

Question 7

Fragmentation of the Texas executive branch into independent agencies was done by various legislatures to
A) avoid the issue of power becoming too centralized.
B) help governor E. J. Davis deal with the former slave owners.
C) promote political patronage and kick-backs.
D) aid the power block of the petroleum producers in the legislature.

Accepted Answer

The fragmentation of the Texas executive branch into independent agencies was done to avoid the issue of power becoming too centralized. This was intended to prevent a single person or entity from having too much control and to promote a more balanced system of government.

Question 8

The largest single employer in Texas is
A) the federal government.
B) the state of Texas.
C) Texas Instruments.
D) Dell Computers.

Accepted Answer

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the largest employer in Texas is the state government, which includes over 300,000 employees.

Question 9

State agencies within Texas were created by the
A) Texas Constitution.
B) Texas legislature.
C) Texas Constitution and Texas legislature.
D) authority of the Texas governor.

Accepted Answer

State agencies in Texas were created by both the Texas Constitution and the Texas legislature. The Texas Constitution sets out the framework for the government structure, while the Texas legislature has the authority to enact laws and establish agencies to carry out those laws.

Question 10

State agencies are occasionally reorganized, merged, or abolished under a process called
A) sunset review.
B) affirmative action.
C) deregulation.
D) performance review.

Accepted Answer

Sunset review is a process where the performance and effectiveness of a state agency are evaluated to determine whether it should continue to exist, be modified, or be abolished. This process is often used to streamline government operations and promote efficiency. Affirmative action is a policy designed to promote diversity and equal treatment of individuals from underrepresented groups. Deregulation involves reducing or eliminating government regulations in certain industries. Performance review is a process of evaluating the job performance of employees.

Question 11

The State Board of Education has caused embarrassment across the state and with the legislature due to its
A) lack of educational expertise.
B) refusal to support teacher unions.
C) lack of courtesy toward fellow members.
D) extremist ideological positions.

Accepted Answer

The inclusion of "extremist ideological positions" suggests that the State Board of Education has taken positions that are not aligned with mainstream thought. This is likely to cause embarrassment and conflict with both the public and the legislature.

Question 12

Texas's commitment to education began with which state constitution?
A) 1861
B) 1845
C) 1877
D) 1836

Accepted Answer

Texas's commitment to education began with its first state constitution in 1836, which guaranteed the establishment of a public school system.

Question 13

"Red tape" contributes to the image of most bureaucracies as
A) in need of reform.
B) dictatorial.
C) inefficient.
D) out of touch.

Accepted Answer

"Red tape" typically refers to excessive bureaucracy or paperwork that can slow down processes and make them less efficient. Therefore, the image most commonly associated with bureaucracies when red tape is present is inefficiency.

Question 14

State agencies are sometimes created as a result of
A) bureaucratic efficiency.
B) citizen complaints and outrage over an issue.
C) a need to keep up with population growth.
D) high state unemployment rates.

Accepted Answer

State agencies are often created in response to citizen complaints and outrage over a particular issue that needs to be addressed. These agencies are designed to provide services and address concerns related to that specific issue.

Question 15

Which policy regarding state employees is set by the legislature?
A) Salary and compensation
B) Promotion requirements
C) Educational requirements
D) Demographic composition of the state service

Accepted Answer

The legislature is responsible for setting the state budget, and therefore has the authority to determine the salaries and compensation of state employees.

Question 16

A system that hires employees based on their expertise and competency is called a
A) merit system.
B) patronage system.
C) free market system.
D) crony system.

Accepted Answer

A merit system hires employees based on their abilities and qualifications, and not on political ties or connections. It is designed to ensure that the most qualified and competent employees are hired for the job, which is important for the efficient functioning of any organization. A patronage system, on the other hand, hires employees based on political allegiance, rather than merit. The free market system and crony system are not related to employee hiring practices.

Question 17

How many state agencies in Texas are substantially independent from the governor?
A) 50
B) 110
C) Around 200
D) More than 300

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many state agencies in Texas are...

Question 18

Over the years criticism has been leveled at the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Attorney General for
A) defunding health care for the poor.
B) accepting the Obama health care reforms.
C) a lack of drive in pursuing nursing home violations.
D) cutting back on free child care and food stamp programs.

Accepted Answer

There has been criticism directed towards the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Attorney General for not being proactive enough in pursuing nursing home violations. This has been a concern for some time and has resulted in increased scrutiny and pressure on these agencies to do more to protect vulnerable elderly residents in nursing homes. The other choices do not accurately reflect the common criticisms aimed at these agencies.

Question 19

Decisions by local school boards and superintendents are primarily shaped by
A) the federal government.
B) state rules.
C) the Texas Senate.
D) county rules.

Accepted Answer

Local school boards and superintendents are primarily shaped by state rules. While the federal government provides some overarching guidelines and funding, individual states have the authority to set their own education policies and guidelines. Therefore, decisions made by local school boards and superintendents are informed by state rules and regulations. The Texas Senate and county rules may also have some impact, but they are not the primary drivers of decision-making in local school districts.

Question 20

The system that replaced the merit system in Texas was a
A) centralized testing system.
B) centralized compensation and classification system.
C) decentralized compensation plan.
D) fragmented classification system under a plural executive.

Accepted Answer

The system that replaced the merit system in Texas was a centralized compensation and classification system, which established uniform pay scales and job titles for all state employees. The decentralization of compensation plan (C) and the fragmented classification system under a plural executive (D) are not accurate descriptions of the post-merit system in Texas. While a centralized testing system (A) may exist within the new system, it is not the replacement for the merit system.

Quiz 9: Public Policy and Administration

The mission of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is to

How many employees did the state of Texas have, as of 2010?

Three factors that are important in determining a state agency's success in achieving its policy goals are

The ability of business leaders to meet directly with bureaucrats to resolve issues is called

Acquiring a government job based on political loyalty, without regard to ability, is called

The approximate number of independent school districts in Texas is

Fragmentation of the Texas executive branch into independent agencies was done by various legislatures to

The largest single employer in Texas is

State agencies within Texas were created by the

State agencies are occasionally reorganized, merged, or abolished under a process called

The State Board of Education has caused embarrassment across the state and with the legislature due to its

Texas's commitment to education began with which state constitution?

"Red tape" contributes to the image of most bureaucracies as

State agencies are sometimes created as a result of

Which policy regarding state employees is set by the legislature?

A system that hires employees based on their expertise and competency is called a

How many state agencies in Texas are substantially independent from the governor?

Over the years criticism has been leveled at the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Attorney General for

Decisions by local school boards and superintendents are primarily shaped by

The system that replaced the merit system in Texas was a