final

Question 1

What are the formal powers of the governor?

Answer 1

Veto authority, appointment powers, budget control, executive orders, call special sessions.

Question 2

What are the informal powers of the governor?

Answer 2

Public influence, party leadership, media access, relationships with lawmakers.

Question 3

What are executive orders?

Answer 3

Directives issued by governors to manage the operations of the state government.

Question 4

Why are executive orders important?

Answer 4

They allow governors to implement policy without legislative approval.

Question 5

Why is gubernatorial appointment power important?

Answer 5

It enables governors to shape policy and administration through appointments.

Question 6

What does ‘going public’ mean?

Answer 6

Appealing directly to voters to gain support for policies.

Question 7

How do governors use the bully pulpit?

Answer 7

They use their visibility to influence public opinion and legislative agendas.

Question 8

What is political capital?

Answer 8

A governor’s power and influence based on popularity, relationships, and electoral success.

Question 9

Differentiate among the types of vetoes.

Answer 9

• Full veto: rejects entire bill
• Line-item veto: rejects budget items
• Pocket veto: indirect veto by inaction.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of gubernatorial elections?

Answer 10

Usually midterm, partisan, with incumbency advantages and higher visibility.

Question 11

What are ‘good-time Charlies’?

Answer 11

Governors more focused on ceremonial duties than actual governance.

Question 12

How have women and minorities fared in gubernatorial races?

Answer 12

Historically underrepresented but seeing gradual increase; still face challenges.

Question 13

What are the 3 primary jobs of the governor?

Answer 13

• Chief Executive: manages state
• Legislative Leader: proposes/vetoes laws
• Ceremonial Leader: represents state.

Question 14

How are governors today different from in the past?

Answer 14

They are more professionalized, better paid, and have more formal powers.

Question 15

How does the legislature oversee the executive branch?

Answer 15

Through budget reviews, audits, hearings, and confirmation of appointments.

Question 16

How do gubernatorial elections compare to other elections?

Answer 16

More visible than legislative, less than presidential; often midterm.

Question 17

What is New Judicial Federalism?

Answer 17

State courts using state constitutions to provide more rights than federal constitution.

Question 18

Differentiate criminal versus civil law.

Answer 18

• Criminal: offenses against the state
• Civil: disputes between individuals.

Question 19

Explain the generic structure of state courts.

Answer 19

Trial courts -> Intermediate appellate courts -> State supreme court.

Question 20

What do trial courts do?

Answer 20

Hear original cases, determine facts, apply law, involve juries and judges.

Question 21

What is the purpose of intermediate appellate courts?

Answer 21

Review lower court decisions based on procedural or legal errors.

Question 22

How are the courts involved in policymaking?

Answer 22

Interpret laws, set precedents, rule on constitutionality of policies.

Question 23

Who has budgetary influence/authority?

Answer 23

• Governors
• Legislatures
• Budget offices
• Interest groups.

Question 24

What are the different methods of judicial selection?

Answer 24

• Elections
• Appointments
• Merit selection.

Question 25

Do different types of judicial selection matter?

Answer 25

Yes, they affect court independence, public trust, and decision-making.

Question 26

What judicial reforms have we seen in recent years?

Answer 26

Term limits, campaign finance rules, merit-based appointments.

Question 27

What does the state Supreme Court do?

Answer 27

Final arbiter of state law; hears cases via appeals or constitutional issues.

Question 28

How can court cases be decided without going to trial?

Answer 28

Through plea bargains, settlements, mediation, or dismissal.

Question 29

What are courts of limited jurisdiction?

Answer 29

Courts handling specific issues like traffic, family, or small claims.

Question 30

At what level do most court cases take place?

Answer 30

At the local trial court level.

Question 31

Differentiate courts of general jurisdiction from limited jurisdiction.

Answer 31

* General: broad authority * Limited: specific types like traffic or probate.

Question 32

Differentiate trial courts from appellate courts.

Answer 32

* Trial: hear original cases * Appellate: review decisions.

Question 33

What are courts of last resort?

Answer 33

State supreme courts.

Question 34

How do interested parties petition the Supreme Court to hear a case?

Answer 34

By filing petitions; interest groups file amicus briefs to influence cases.

Question 35

How do interested parties try to influence courts?

Answer 35

Through lobbying, public campaigns, and filing amicus briefs.

Question 36

How do state courts differ from federal courts?

Answer 36

State courts handle diverse, local issues; federal courts handle constitutional/federal issues.

Question 37

What is an indictment?

Answer 37

Formal charge.

Question 38

What does a grand jury do?

Answer 38

Determines probable cause.

Question 39

What is recidivism?

Answer 39

Repeat offending.

Question 40

How can courts address recidivism?

Answer 40

Via drug courts, rehabilitation programs.

Question 41

What are street-level bureaucrats?

Answer 41

Frontline workers who interpret and implement policy in daily interactions.

Question 42

What are urban party machines?

Answer 42

Political organizations that controlled cities via patronage and loyalty.

Question 43

Explain the relationship among efficiency, accountability, and corruption.

Answer 43

Balancing effective service delivery with transparency and integrity.

Question 44

What is the civil service system?

Answer 44

Merit-based hiring to reduce political favoritism and ensure competence.

Question 45

What are earmarked fees?

Answer 45

Funds collected for specific purposes like gas tax for roads.

Question 46

Explain Home Rule.

Answer 46

Local autonomy.

Question 47

What is Dillon's Rule?

Answer 47

State controls unless power is granted.

Question 48

What are the five types of local governments?

Answer 48

* Cities * Counties * Towns * School districts * Special districts.

Question 49

What do special districts do?

Answer 49

Provide specific services like schools, water, transportation.

Question 50

What are the main governmental structures for municipalities?

Answer 50

* Mayor-council * Council-manager * Commission systems.

Question 51

How has the percentage of people living in urban areas changed over time?

Answer 51

It has increased significantly over the past century.

Question 52

Explain urban machines.

Answer 52

Relied on loyalty, services, and control of jobs to dominate politics.

Question 53

What reforms have addressed problems in government?

Answer 53

* Civil service * Nonpartisan ballots * Term limits.

Question 54

What are some consequences of municipal reform?

Answer 54

Less corruption but sometimes reduced representation or voter engagement.

Question 55

Discuss different theories of community power.

Answer 55

* Elite theory * Pluralism * Regime theory.

Question 56

What studies have been conducted to inform us about community power?

Answer 56

Case studies, network analysis, and empirical research on influence.

Question 57

Differentiate revenue from expenditures.

Answer 57

* Revenue: money collected * Expenditures: money spent.

Question 58

What policy areas does money usually go to?

Answer 58

* Education * Healthcare * Public safety * Transportation.

Question 59

What are the different sources of revenue for state and local governments?

Answer 59

* Taxes * Fees * Federal aid * Fines * Bonds.

Question 60

What is the tax burden?

Answer 60

Share of income paid in taxes.

Question 61

Differentiate regressive from progressive taxes.

Answer 61

* Progressive: higher earners pay more * Regressive: lower earners pay proportionally more.

Question 62

What criteria do we use to evaluate taxes?

Answer 62

* Equity * Efficiency * Simplicity * Yield * Accountability.

Question 63

What do we need to determine property taxes?

Answer 63

Assessed value and tax rate.

Question 64

What are protections against unfair property taxes?

Answer 64

Assessment caps and appeals processes.

Question 65

Explain sales taxes.

Answer 65

Regressive, broad-based.

Question 66

Explain income taxes.

Answer 66

Progressive.

Question 67

What other types of taxes do states and localities use?

Answer 67

* Excise taxes * Sin taxes * License fees.

Question 68

Give examples of entrepreneurial sources of revenue.

Answer 68

* Toll roads * Lotteries * Public utilities * State-run liquor stores.

Question 69

Give examples of intergovernmental aid.

Answer 69

* Federal grants * Block grants * Matching funds.

Question 70

Give examples of borrowing as a source of revenue.

Answer 70

* General obligation bonds * Revenue bonds.

Question 71

What is the bureaucracy?

Answer 71

Administrative agencies that implement laws and services.

Question 72

How do we limit politics in public sector hiring/firing?

Answer 72

Civil service systems, merit-based hiring, protections from political influence.

Question 73

How do these reforms relate to political machines?

Answer 73

They reduce patronage and increase fairness and competence.