State and Local Governments

Question 1

A process by which a legislative measure is refereed to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection

Answer 1

Referendum

Question 2

A tax levied on the real estate and personal items of citizens

Answer 2

Property tax

Question 3

A law passed by the legislature

Answer 3

Statutory law

Question 4

A tax levied on various commodities once they are purchased by citizens

Answer 4

Sales tax

Question 5

A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed stature or constitution amendment, which then goes directly to the ballot

Answer 5

Initiative

Question 6

A financial plan for the use of money, personnel, and property

Answer 6

Budget

Question 7

The authority of each State to act to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its people

Answer 7

Police power

Question 8

A tax levied on the wages of individuals and/or corporations

Answer 8

Income tax

Question 9

Laws of basic and lasting importance which may not be easily changed

Answer 9

Fundamental law

Question 10

A tax levied on the assets of an individual that dies

Answer 10

Estate tax

Question 11

Another term for “extradition”

Answer 11

Interstate rendition

Question 12

What is extradition?

Answer 12

The process of returning a fugitive to another state

Question 13

The “Fugitive Slave” clause what nullified by what?

Answer 13

13th amendment

Question 14

What did the 13th amendment do? In what year?

Answer 14

Ended slavery in 1865

Question 15

What is the constitution?

Answer 15

The supreme law of the land

Question 16

What clause is set out in Article 6, Section 2?

Answer 16

The Supremacy Clause

Question 17

What is Congressional apportionment?

Answer 17

How many members of congress each state gets

Question 18

What is Gerrymandering?

Answer 18

The way in which the districts are drawn

Question 19

Why are the districts drawn the way they are?

Answer 19

So that a select party can be elected

Question 20

What are some common elements found in many state constitutions? (5)

Answer 20

1) protection of civil rights
2) governmental structure
3) governmental power and processes
4) constitutional change
5) miscellaneous provisions

Question 21

How do most states legislatures mirror the United States legislative branch?

Answer 21

They are bicameral, with a Senate and House of Representatives

Question 22

Which state does not follow the typical structure of other state legislatures?

Answer 22

Nebraska

Question 23

What are the qualifications that an individual must meet in order to run for the legislature in the state of Mississippi?

Answer 23

1) 21 years old for House, 25 years old for Senate
2) resident of the state for 4 years
3) resident of the district for 2 years

Question 24

How long does a Mississippi legislator serve?

Answer 24

4 years

Question 25

State legislatures can pass laws as long as they don’t conflict with which two things?

Answer 25

Federal law or State constitution

Question 26

Who is the presiding officer over the Mississippi State Senate?

Answer 26

Lieutenant governor

Question 27

How does the lieutenant governor achieve this position of leadership?

Answer 27

They are elected in a separate, statewide election, held during the same time as the governor’s election

Question 28

Who is the Speaker of the House in Mississippi?

Answer 28

Phillip Gunn

Question 29

Who is the Lieutenant Governor in Mississippi?

Answer 29

Delbert Hosemann

Question 30

Besides legislators, what 3 groups can introduce bills to be considered by the legislature?

Answer 30

1) officers and agencies of state and local government
2) interest groups and lobbyists
3) private individuals

Question 31

What are the qualifications to run for Governor in Mississippi?

Answer 31

1) American citizen for 20 years
2) 30 years old
3) lived in state for at least 5 years

Question 32

Who succeeds the governor if they leave office?

Answer 32

Lieutenant governor

Question 33

Who is the governor of Mississippi?

Answer 33

Tate Reeves

Question 34

What are some of the responsibilities of the governor? (4)

Answer 34

1) appointment and removal of assistants
2) supervising the staff of the State’s executive branch
3) preparing the annual or biennial budget to go to the legislature
4) commanding the State militia, or National Guard

Question 35

Who serves as the state’s chief clerk and record keeper?

Answer 35

Secretary of state

Question 36

Who holds the Secretary of State office in Mississippi?

Answer 36

David McRae

Question 37

Who holds the office of attorney general in Mississippi?

Answer 37

Lynn Fitch

Question 38

What are the two major political units of local government in our states?

Answer 38

Counties and cities

Question 39

What are the main functions of county governments? (5)

Answer 39

1) keep the peace and maintain jails and other correctional facilities
2) assess properties for taxes
3) collect taxes and spend county funds
4) build and repair roads, bridges, drains, and other such public works
5) maintain schools

Question 40

What event caused many citizens to leave rural areas for cities?

Answer 40

The industrial revolution

Question 41

List 5 functions of most city governments.

Answer 41

1) public utilities
2) parks and recreation
3) police and fire protection
4) public housing
5) school and correctional institutions

Question 42

List the 6 sources of income that state and local governments are able to utilize.

Answer 42

1) sales tax
2) federal government
3) insurance trust revenue
4) property tax
5) individual income tax
6) corporate income tax