Ch 8 Quizzes

Question 1

8.1

To be elected governor of Texas, a person must __________.

• have held elective office before
• have been a resident of Texas for at least seven years
• be at least 30 years old
• have held appointive public office before

Answer 1

To be elected governor of Texas, a person must __________.

• have held elective office before
• have been a resident of Texas for at least seven years
• be at least 30 years old
• have held appointive public office before

Question 2

8.1

What gives the Texas governor an advantage over his or her colleagues in many other states?

• the sole authority to create the budget
• the power to appoint major executive department leaders without the approval of the senate
• the lack of limits on the number of terms he or she can serve in office
• the absolute veto

Answer 2

8.1

What gives the Texas governor an advantage over his or her colleagues in many other states?

• the sole authority to create the budget
• the power to appoint major executive department leaders without the approval of the senate
• the lack of limits on the number of terms he or she can serve in office
• the absolute veto

Question 3

8.1

Which of the following is a true statement about the Texas governorship and finances?

• The Texas governor’s salary is $450,000 a year.
• Texas has one of the lowest-paid governors in the nation.
• Texas law sets a cap on campaign spending for the governorship at $30 million.
• Running for governor is an expensive endeavor, and even wealthy candidates need financial assistance from PACs and interested individuals.

Answer 3

8.1

Which of the following is a true statement about the Texas governorship and finances?

• The Texas governor’s salary is $450,000 a year.
• Texas has one of the lowest-paid governors in the nation.
• Texas law sets a cap on campaign spending for the governorship at $30 million.
• Running for governor is an expensive endeavor, and even wealthy candidates need financial assistance from PACs and interested individuals.

Question 4

8.2

Which of the following is true of the executive powers of the governor of Texas?

• The governor has the power to dismiss public employees who work to thwart his or her agenda.
• The governor has considerable control over the day-to-day operations of the executive branch.
• The governor has no constitutional power that would allow him or her to override the decisions of other elected executives.
• The governor can make appointments without the approval or support of the senate.

Answer 4

8.2

Which of the following is true of the executive powers of the governor of Texas?

• The governor has the power to dismiss public employees who work to thwart his or her agenda.
• The governor has considerable control over the day-to-day operations of the executive branch.
• The governor has no constitutional power that would allow him or her to override the decisions of other elected executives.
• The governor can make appointments without the approval or support of the senate.

Question 5

8.2

Senatorial courtesy means that __________.

• the governor may not remove seated board members without senate approval
• senators may derail a governor’s appointments from within their home district
• all governor appointments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the senate
• the governor may not remove his or her own appointees without a two-thirds vote of the senate

Answer 5

8.2

Senatorial courtesy means that __________.

• the governor may not remove seated board members without senate approval
• senators may derail a governor’s appointments from within their home district
• all governor appointments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the senate
• the governor may not remove his or her own appointees without a two-thirds vote of the senate

Question 6

8.2

The governor can use his or her constitutionally mandated military powers to __________.

• send Texas National Guard troops into other states
• declare martial law during a crisis
• send Texas National Guard troops into Mexico
• suspend habeas corpus in times of crisis

Answer 6

8.2

The governor can use his or her constitutionally mandated military powers to __________.

• send Texas National Guard troops into other states
• declare martial law during a crisis
• send Texas National Guard troops into Mexico
• suspend habeas corpus in times of crisis

Question 7

8.3

The governor can keep the legislature in special session __________.

• indefinitely, as long as he or she calls for a new session every 30 days
• for no more than 140 days in one calendar year
• for no more than 30 days in one calendar year
• for no more than 30 days, unless both houses of the legislature approve

Answer 7

8.3

The governor can keep the legislature in special session __________.

• indefinitely, as long as he or she calls for a new session every 30 days
• for no more than 140 days in one calendar year
• for no more than 30 days in one calendar year
• for no more than 30 days, unless both houses of the legislature approve

Question 8

8.3 A post-adjournment veto in Texas is significant because it __________.

• requires a three-fourths majority in order to be overridden
• cannot be overridden by the legislature
• must be overridden within 10 days
• requires only a two-thirds vote of the senate in order to be overridden

Answer 8

A post-adjournment veto in Texas is significant because it __________.

• requires a three-fourths majority in order to be overridden
• cannot be overridden by the legislature
• must be overridden within 10 days
• requires only a two-thirds vote of the senate in order to be overridden

Question 9

8.3

A __________ in the legislature is necessary to override a veto.

• simple majority along with the support of both presiding officers
• simple majority
• four-fifths majority
• two-thirds majority

Answer 9

8.3

A __________ in the legislature is necessary to override a veto.

• simple majority along with the support of both presiding officers
• simple majority
• four-fifths majority
• two-thirds majority

Question 10

8.4

The governor can appoint judges __________.

• at all levels of the judicial system, with the approval of the senate
• to fill vacancies at the district level or above, without the consent of the senate
• to fill vacancies at all levels of the judicial system, without the consent of the senate
• to fill vacancies at the district level or above, with the consent of the senate

Answer 10

8.4

The governor can appoint judges __________.

• at all levels of the judicial system, with the approval of the senate
• to fill vacancies at the district level or above, without the consent of the senate
• to fill vacancies at all levels of the judicial system, without the consent of the senate
• to fill vacancies at the district level or above, with the consent of the senate

Question 11

8.4

Which of the following is true of the clemency powers granted to the governor of Texas?

• The governor has unlimited power to pardon and parole.
• The governor can approve or reject the recommendations made by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
• The governor cannot grant a pardon or a reprieve in a death penalty case.
• The governor cannot make recommendations to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Answer 11

8.4

Which of the following is true of the clemency powers granted to the governor of Texas?

• The governor has unlimited power to pardon and parole.
• The governor can approve or reject the recommendations made by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
• The governor cannot grant a pardon or a reprieve in a death penalty case.
• The governor cannot make recommendations to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Question 12

8.4

Assume that Fred Martin is the governor of Texas, and he grants a 30-day reprieve to Jackie Miller, who has been convicted of the murder of a 12-year-old girl. Governor Martin granted the reprieve after evidence showed that Miller was mentally impaired. Which of the following gubernatorial powers has Governor Martin exercised in this scenario?

• veto power
• clemency power
• persuasive power
• law enforcement power

Answer 12

8.4

Assume that Fred Martin is the governor of Texas, and he grants a 30-day reprieve to Jackie Miller, who has been convicted of the murder of a 12-year-old girl. Governor Martin granted the reprieve after evidence showed that Miller was mentally impaired. Which of the following gubernatorial powers has Governor Martin exercised in this scenario?

• veto power
• clemency power
• persuasive power
• law enforcement power

Question 13

8.5

Which of the following is true of the governor’s role as a partisan leader?

• It is the governor’s responsibility, as the party’s most visible member, to articulate political positions.
• Governors always take the partisan role more seriously than do other party members.
• The governor must be impartial, so he or she cannot introduce legislative packages that reflect the values of his or her own party.
• As the governor is required to support his or her party in the legislature, he or she must appoint only members of his or her own party to key committees.

Answer 13

8.5

Which of the following is true of the governor’s role as a partisan leader?

• It is the governor’s responsibility, as the party’s most visible member, to articulate political positions.
• Governors always take the partisan role more seriously than do other party members.
• The governor must be impartial, so he or she cannot introduce legislative packages that reflect the values of his or her own party.
• As the governor is required to support his or her party in the legislature, he or she must appoint only members of his or her own party to key committees.

Question 14

8.5

Because of Texas’s special relationship with Mexico, the job of the governor has evolved to include __________.

• informal ambassadorship
• peacekeeping
• defense responsibilities
• border patrol

Answer 14

8.5

Because of Texas’s special relationship with Mexico, the job of the governor has evolved to include __________.

• informal ambassadorship
• peacekeeping
• defense responsibilities
• border patrol

Question 15

8.5

How did governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush differ in their leadership styles?

• Richards attempted to build consensus, while Bush openly criticized members of the opposition party.
• Richards involved herself in more policy decisions, while Bush concentrated on a few key issues.
• Richards frequently solicited advice and opinions, whereas Bush actively sought to assert his dominance.
• Richards strove to ensure good relations with her party, whereas Bush had a tendency to alienate members of his own party.

Answer 15

8.5

How did governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush differ in their leadership styles?

• Richards attempted to build consensus, while Bush openly criticized members of the opposition party.
• Richards involved herself in more policy decisions, while Bush concentrated on a few key issues.
• Richards frequently solicited advice and opinions, whereas Bush actively sought to assert his dominance.
• Richards strove to ensure good relations with her party, whereas Bush had a tendency to alienate members of his own party.

Question 16

8.6

Which of the following statements about the governor’s staff in Texas is true?

• The staff is accountable to the governor alone and must look after his or her best interests.
• Appointments to the governor’s staff require the legislature’s approval.
• Staff appointments have little impact on the governor’s effectiveness.
• The governor’s staff is not large enough to serve the governor’s needs effectively.

Answer 16

8.6

Which of the following statements about the governor’s staff in Texas is true?

• The staff is accountable to the governor alone and must look after his or her best interests.
• Appointments to the governor’s staff require the legislature’s approval.
• Staff appointments have little impact on the governor’s effectiveness.
• The governor’s staff is not large enough to serve the governor’s needs effectively.

Question 17

8.6

Staff members in which of the following offices operate similar to lobbyists?

• Office of Governmental Appointments
• Legislative Office
• Policy Office
• Administrative Office

Answer 17

8.6

Staff members in which of the following offices operate similar to lobbyists?

• Office of Governmental Appointments
• Legislative Office
• Policy Office
• Administrative Office

Question 18

8.6

Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the Texas governor’s staff?

• About half of the staff works for trusteed offices such as the Texas Film Commission and the Texas Enterprise Fund.
• Staff members in the Office of Governmental Appointments bear the responsibility of ensuring that the governor’s policies are implemented.
• Staff members in the Legislative Office have the sole responsibility of assisting the governor with appointments.
• The Texas staff has grown in size every year since the early 1990s.

Answer 18

8.6

Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the Texas governor’s staff?

• About half of the staff works for trusteed offices such as the Texas Film Commission and the Texas Enterprise Fund.
• Staff members in the Office of Governmental Appointments bear the responsibility of ensuring that the governor’s policies are implemented.
• Staff members in the Legislative Office have the sole responsibility of assisting the governor with appointments.
• The Texas staff has grown in size every year since the early 1990s.

Question 19

8.1 Qualifications, Term, and Salary

Outline the qualifications to hold the office of governor.

Answer 19

8.1 Qualifications, Term, and Salary

Outline the qualifications to hold the office of governor.

In order to be governor of Texas, a person must be a Texas resident for at least 5 years, a registered voter, and at least 30 years of age.

Question 20

8.2 Executive Powers

Describe the most significant powers possessed by the governor while acting as chief executive.

Answer 20

8.2 Executive Powers

Describe the most significant powers possessed by the governor while acting as chief executive.

The governor appoints thousands of members to boards and commission during a single term in office. He or she exercises limited military and law enforcement powers.

Question 21

8.3 Legislative Powers

Characterize the governor’s integral role in the legislative process.

Answer 21

8.3 Legislative Powers

Characterize the governor’s integral role in the legislative process.

• The governor’s veto power is significant because it is so difficult to override. Since the legislature understands that the veto is all but absolute, the legislature has a vested interest in negotiating with the governor. Often the threat to veto is more important than the actual use of the veto. The governor’s line item veto may be even more significant, as it has never been overridden.
• The governor has sole power to call the legislature into special session.

Question 22

8.4 Judicial Powers

Explain the judicial and clemency powers of the governor.

Answer 22

8.4 Judicial Powers

Explain the judicial and clemency powers of the governor.

• The governor appoints judges to fill vacancies at the district court level and above.
• Unlike most governors, the Texas chief executive does not possess the independent power to pardon; he shares it with the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The governor can independently grant a 30-day stay of execution.

Question 23

8.5 Informal Powers

Describe the governor’s informal powers.

Answer 23

8.5 Informal Powers

Describe the governor’s informal powers.

• The governor is the de facto leader of his or her political party. In order to be successful, a governor must effectively use the power of persuasion.
• An ability to interact with Congress and the administration in Washington is also helpful.
• Because of our border with Mexico, the governor also engages in international relations.

Question 24

8.6 The Governor’s Staff

Illustrate the impact of the governor’s staff.

Answer 24

8.6 The Governor’s Staff

Illustrate the impact of the governor’s staff.

• The governor’s staff facilitates relations between the governor and the legislature. They also work with both national and local government officials on policy implementation. It would be impossible for the governor to effectively fill board, commission, and judicial vacancies without staff expertise.