Chapter 8: Local Governments

Question 1

Dual-purpose of County Gov’t

Answer 1

provide direct services such as roads, public health, property records; serve as administrator for state functions (vehicle titles and licensing, voter registration, administrating elections)

Question 2

Elected officials of County Gov’t

Answer 2

commissioners, judges, justices, 2 attorneys, sheriff/constables, 2 clerks, treasurer

Question 3

2 Main sources of Local Government Revenue

Answer 3

property taxes and sales taxes

Question 4

Main source of Local Gov’t spending

Answer 4

k-12 education

Question 5

What are charters?

Answer 5

enabling documents wherein the states authorize creation of a “city” gov’t; within a charter, the state defines essential parameters for local gov’t

Question 6

Charters fall in 2 broad categories…

Answer 6

General Law Charter and Home Rule Charter

Question 7

General Law Charter

Answer 7

municipalities only have powers specifically granted to them by the state (Dillon’s Rule); changes to the charter must be made by the state legislature

Question 8

Home Rule Charter

Answer 8

municipalities have all powers not forbidden by their charters (must have a population of 5,000+, cities residents may change the charter

Question 9

2 Forms of Mayor-Council

Answer 9

strong-mayor form and weak-mayor form

Question 10

Strong-Mayor Form

Answer 10

common among the nation’s largest cities; strong mayors have powerful duties: budgeting and veto; councils and strong mayors check and balance each other

Question 11

Weak-Mayor Form

Answer 11

common among very small municipalities

Question 12

Cons to Mayor-Council

Answer 12

strong form has sometimes led to political corruption

Question 13

Council-Manager Form

Answer 13

most common in mid-size cities; elected city council; mayor is elected by the council; argued to be the most efficient form of city gov’t

Question 14

2 Types of Gov’t “Legislative” Seats

Answer 14

Single-Member-District Seats and At-Large Seats

Question 15

Single-Member-District Seats

Answer 15

city is divided into pieces and residents of that geographic are elect one person to represent them in the legislative body; better represents diversity that appears geographically

Question 16

At-Large Seats

Answer 16

voted on by residents without regard to district; Pro: these members are expected to be non-partisan; Con: still can be highly partisan; an at-large representative may not seek to represent everyone in the city

Question 17

Commission Form

Answer 17

elected commissioners administered various departments and collectively comprise city’s policy-making board; rarely used now

Question 18

City’s Expenditures

Answer 18

police, fire, streets, hospitals, sewage, parks and recreation, libraries, poor/homeless

Question 19

Elections in School Districts

Answer 19

school board members are publicly elected; school board decisions are generally well publicized; superintendents are always hired by board

Question 20

School Board’s Relationship w/ Public

Answer 20

most Americans think their local schools are doing a great job; but most Americans also think public schools, in general, are failing

Question 21

Special Districts

Answer 21

local gov’t established for specific purpose by state: utilities, fire protection, transportation, flood control, hospital, etc.; overlays with other local gov’t boundaries; elected board usually oversees bureaucracy directly

Question 22

Why Special Districts?

Answer 22

designed for special needs of rural areas with limited gov’t resources; sometimes established local gov’ts cannot or will not pay for needed services

Question 23

Dillon’s Rule: States Hold All the Cards

Answer 23

states can and do yank the leash on local gov’ts; when states do this, it’s called preemption

Question 24

Local Control Bills Not Passed by Texas Legislature

Answer 24

cities must seek state approval on any law that would be more or less restrictive than the state; local votes must first be certified by the state

Question 25

Local Gov’ts are…

Answer 25

numerous, multi-layered, and overlapping; are ultimately dependent on the state for their authority