Exam 4 Chapter 9, 10, 11

Question 1

How many states also have in place a campaign fairness act similar to that of Texas’s Judicial Fairness Act?

Answer 1

0: None

Question 2

Which judicial office has existed in Texas since 1837, even before statehood?

Answer 2

Justice Of The Peace

Question 3

By 2017, what percentage of appellate judges are Latinos?

Answer 3

15

Question 4

The State Bar of Texas is a unique organization because

Answer 4

it is a government agency, a professional organization, and an interest group, all at the same time.

Question 5

County judges preside over

Answer 5

County judges

Question 6

Who can file a complaint with the State Commission on Judicial conduct?

Answer 6

the public, from attorneys, and from members of the judiciary.

Question 7

One reason why there are few minority judges in Texas is that?

Answer 7

judicial districts are often quite large and dominated by whites who vote against minority judicial candidates.

Question 8

Before 1978, partisanship was not a factor in Texas judicial elections because

Answer 8

Up until that time, Texas was essentially a one-party state.

Question 9

What happens in a bench trial?

Answer 9

judges determine the verdicts and there is not jury

Question 10

Courts that can review matters relating to the disposition of property of deceased people are referred to as what?

Answer 10

Statutory probate courts

Question 11

In order to be eligible to serve on either the Texas Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeals, you must

Answer 11

have been either a judge or practicing lawyer for at least 10 years.

Question 12

The Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals have appellate jurisdiction which means they have the authority to do what?

Answer 12

They have authority to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts. (251) determine legal procedures were following correctly)

Question 13

The major trial courts in Texas are

Answer 13

District courts

Question 14

Each county has at least how many district courts?

Answer 14

1

Question 15

The debate over preemption between local self governance and control by the state government echoes which of the following?

Answer 15

debates between the state governments and the federal government about which level of government should make governing decisions

Question 16

Who is responsible for issuing marriage licenses as well as birth and death certificates?

Answer 16

County clerk

Question 17

In Texas, county governments are responsible for which of the following tasks?

Answer 17

administration of social services

Question 18

In Texas, ________ create(s) special purpose districts.

Answer 18

Texas voters in the areas that will be covered

Question 19

Who is responsible for setting the country’s budget and tax rate?

Answer 19

county commissioner’s court

Question 20

In most Texas cities that use the council-manager form of government today,

Answer 20

there is a professional city manager, a mayor that is elected at large, and a city council that is elected by single-member districts

Question 21

The chief financial officer for a city is called the

Answer 21

city controller

Question 22

What type of government is called hidden government because people often do not know it exists?

Answer 22

special districts

Question 23

In large, Texas counties, the ____ prepares the county budget.

Answer 23

auditor

Question 24

Special purpose districts are

Answer 24

democratic in theory, but often not in practice

Question 25

Dallas operates under which city of government?

Answer 25

council manager style

Question 26

The job of serving civil court papers at the county level goes to the

Answer 26

constable

Question 27

What is the main difference between a home rule city and a general law city?

Answer 27

A general-law city is chartered for localities with a population of less than 5,000 persons.

Question 28

The mayor council form of government is most common in

Answer 28

smaller general law cities

Question 29

San Antonio operates under which form of city government?

Answer 29

council manager style

Question 30

Across the United States, which form of government for cities over 10,000 residents has been the most popular?

Answer 30

council manager

Question 31

Which city government have officials who act as both executives and legislators?

Answer 31

commissions

Question 32

What is the function of the twenty four councils of government in Texas today?

Answer 32

They are a regional board meant to coordinate local planning and economic development.

Question 33

Cities and towns in Texas often see rapid population growth. Such growth requires school districts to quickly expand. In this type of situation, school districts use __________________ to borrow the necessary funds to achieve this goal.

Answer 33

capital appreciation bonds (CABs)

Question 34

How are most special purpose districts in Texas administered?

Answer 34

They are governed by boards elected by the people.

Question 35

Flood control is managed through special purpose districts because

Answer 35

flooding is seldom contained in a single city or county.

Question 36

In smaller countries the sheriff performs which of the following jobs?

Answer 36

the tax assessor/collector.

Question 37

Texas has a reputation of being a ________ state.

Answer 37

“low service, low tax”

Question 38

If you live outside the city limits, water, sewer, sanitation, and electricity services are offered by

Answer 38

municipal utility district

Question 39

It is through what process that the legislature legally authorizes a government agency or body to spend up to a particular amount of money?

Answer 39

appropriations

Question 40

In theory, Texas has a dual budget system meaning the budget authority is shared by the governor and the legislature: however, in practice, the primary player(s) in the budget is/are

Answer 40

The legislature is prime, the key players are The Legislative Budget Board, The Governor and the Governor’s Office of Budget of Planning and Policy, and lastly The Comptroller of Public Accounts

Question 41

The Permanent School Fund distributes money to school districts across the state based on what two factors?

Answer 41

student attendance and guaranteed bonds issued by local school boards