WorksheetsTexas Government | Unit 3 Exam Review
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
The power of recognition allows the Texas Speaker of the House to
Appoint people to serve on committees
Honor Texans who have served with valor
Determine who will get to speak and how long a debate will last
Set the legislative agenda, signaling which pieces of legislation he or she prefers and supports
What type of districts are used in the Texas House and Senate?
Proportional representation districts
Single-member districts
Multiple-member districts
Redistricted districts every four years
In the Texas legislature, the House has ________ members and the Senate has ________ members.
435; 100
100; 25
150; 31
31; 150
Texas senators serve ________-year terms and House members serve ________-year terms.
Two; four
Four; six
Four; two
Six; four
In Texas, senators and House members take office in______________ of odd-numbered years.
March
January
September
May
In Texas, if the governor decides that he or she does not want a bill passed by the legislature to become law, he or she must do what?
Veto the bill
Refuse to sign the bill
Send the bill back to the legislature for revisions
Form a conference committee to reach a compromise
According to the Texas Constitution, regular sessions of the Texas Legislature are held
Throughout each year, with breaks for holidays and campaigning
For nine months every year
For nine months biennially, occurring in even-numbered years
For 140 days biennially, occurring in odd-numbered years
The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the
Lieutenant governor and the Texas Speaker of the House
Governor
Texas Supreme Court
Chair of the Joint Committee on Special Sessions
In even-numbered years, Texas representatives receive a salary of ________ per year, not including a per diem.
$0
$7,200
$12,000
$28,200
A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a __________
General bill
Special bill
Local bill
Concurrent resolution
How is executive power in Texas structured?
It is divided among multiple officials, each elected by the people, to ensure that no one person has too much power.
It is modeled after executive power in the federal government, where the governor and lieutenant governor have powers similar to the president and vice president.
It is set up so that Texas has one of the strongest governors in the United States.
It is divided among multiple officials, each appointed by the governor, to ensure that no one person has too much power.
If the governor of Texas is impeached and convicted, then he or she
must reimburse the state for the cost of the trial in the Senate.
cannot subsequently hold any other state office.
can appeal the conviction to the Texas Supreme Court.
can be pardoned by the lieutenant governor.
One type of appointment power often used by governors is called patronage, where
the governor rewards supporters by appointing them to office.
the governor selects individuals for staff positions with members of the legislature.
the governor determines which vendors will be given state contracts.
the governor sets standing reservations at his or her favorite restaurants in Austin.
In addition to meeting the age, citizenship, and residency requirements, which of the following would you need most in order to be a viable candidate for governor in Texas?
a law degree so that you can understand all aspects of the job
b. a degree from a Texas university so that you meet the minimum education requirements
c. money, since campaigns have become very expensive
d. a background in business so that you will be able to manage the budget of the various state agencies
As the chief budget officer of Texas,
the Chief Accountant is responsible for submitting the executive budget to the governor and lieutenant governor for approval.
the comptroller of accounts submits an executive budget to the legislature that reflects spending limits that have been approved by the governor.
the Treasurer is responsible for submitting an executive budget to the comptroller before the legislative session begins.
the Governor submits an executive budget that outlines his or her spending priorities for the next biennium.
While the Texas governor’s term in office used to be 2 years, it was changed to _____ years with a constitutional amendment adopted in _________.
4; 1972
4; 2000
6; 1996
5; 1980
The legislative budget
is given full consideration by the Texas House and Senate once it is prepared and submitted by the Legislative Budget Board.
must, by law, take into consideration components and priorities included in the executive budget.
is used by the Texas legislature as the state’s budget in even numbered years, while the executive budget is to be used as the state’s budget in odd numbered years.
is only considered by the Texas legislature if there is no agreement concerning the executive budget.
Many argue that the power of appointment is the governor of Texas’ “most significant executive power.” Which of the following accurately describes why that is?
a. The governor has the ability to make appointments to over 400 multimember state boards or single-member commissioners who direct the operation of various state agencies.
b. The governor has the ability to appoint the chairs to all legislative committees.
c. The governor has the ability to appoint local leadership and officials in home-rule municipalities.
d. The governor has the ability to appoint all judges in the state with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor’s exercise of senatorial courtesy?
The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee’s state senator agrees.
The governor will not veto a bill without first giving the bill’s Senate sponsor an opportunity to amend it.
The Senate will use the governor’s budget plan as its blueprint for the upcoming session.
The governor will address the full Senate at the beginning of each legislative session.
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor’s military powers?
The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster.
The governor can use federal troops stationed in camps within Texas.
The governor receives a National Guard pension when he or she retires.
The governor automatically possesses the rank of general in the U.S. Armed Forces.
All death penalty cases are automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
True
False
County judges in Texas have political administrative functions combined with some judicial functions.
True
False
Tort law deals with civil cases where one person has been harmed by the actions of another.
True
False
In order to serve in any judicial position in Texas, you must be a licensed attorney and in good standing with the Texas Bar Association.
True
False
Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan.
True
False
The defeat of a large number of Republican incumbent judges in 2018 led the legislature to authorize a commission to study judicial reform and possibly recommend a change in how Texas selects judges.
True
False
Less than 25 percent of all district judges in Texas are Latino.
True
False
In Texas, lawyers are able to continue practicing law and representing clients when they are charged with a crime but have not yet been found guilty by a court of committing that crime.
True
False
In Texas, traffic violations can be brought before both municipal courts and justice of the peace courts.
True
False
In Texas, county civil courts are responsible for commitment of individuals to mental institutions and guardianship of those who are unable to handle their own affairs.
True
False
