Final Flashcards
(36 cards)
What kinds of taxes can the state of Texas collect?
sales: The largest source of tax revenue. State sales tax is 6.25%, but local jurisdictions can add up to 2%, making the maximum rate 8.25%
property: Levied by local governments, not the state, but it is a significant source of revenue for public schools, cities, and counties.
franchise
What are the state government’s largest sources of revenue, and what are their limitations?
Sales Tax (57% of state tax revenue): limited by the economic health of the state and consumer spending habits.
Federal Funding (32% of total revenue): tied to specific programs and federal regulations, limiting flexibility.
What are the largest categories of state expenses?
- Education (42% of budget): Funding for public schools and universities.
- Health and Human Services (30% of budget): Includes Medicaid and other public health programs.
- Transportation (10% of budget): Road construction and maintenance.
- Public Safety and Criminal Justice (6% of budget): Prisons, law enforcement, and courts.
What populations benefit the most from the largest expenses?
- Low-Income Families and Seniors: Receive Medicaid and other health services.
- Students and Educators: Benefit from public education funding.
- Drivers and Businesses: Benefit from transportation infrastructure.
What is the difference between a budget surplus and a deficit?
surplus: occurs when the governments revenue is more than what they are spending
deficit: occurs when the governments spending is more than its revenue
Understand how the state cutting spending can force local governments to spend more.
when the state of Texas cuts spending the local governments often have to pick up the slack to maintain essential services.
ex: If the state reduces its share of school funding, local school districts may need to increase property taxes to make up the difference.
What is the difference between progressive and regressive tax systems?
progressive: higher tax rate on higher-income earners (ex: U.S. federal income tax and estate taxes)
regressive: everyone pays the same rate regardless of income (ex: sales taxes and flat fees)
Why is it in the interests of the economy and Texas for people to get a good education?
- Higher Incomes and Tax Revenue: Educated workers typically earn higher wages, leading to more income tax revenue and increased consumer spending.
- Economic Growth: Skilled workers attract businesses and foster innovation, boosting economic development.
- Lower Unemployment Rates: Education reduces unemployment by equipping people with marketable skills.
Why do some school districts have to send part of their property tax revenue to the state for redistribution?
Robin Hood plan (recapture): requires property-wealthy school districts to send a portion of their property tax revenue to the state, which then redistributes it to property-poor districts.
What was the intention when Texas created statewide standardized tests for public school students?
- Measure whether students are meeting state educational standards.
- Hold schools and districts accountable for student learning outcomes.
- Pinpoint areas where students and schools need additional support.
- Use data to direct funding and interventions to underperforming schools.
What are some of the unintended consequences of standardized testing?
- Teaching to the Test: Teachers may focus primarily on test content, reducing time for creative or critical thinking activities.
- increased stress
- School Ratings and Funding: Schools with low test scores risk losing funding or facing state intervention, potentially penalizing those with high populations of disadvantaged students.
What is an interest group? Be prepared to give examples.
an organized group of people or organizations that seeks to influence public policy and government decisions to benefit its members or a specific cause.
ex:
- Texas State Teachers Association – Advocates for teachers and education funding
- Texas Right to Life – Advocates against abortion and for pro-life policies.
Explain how interest groups can influence the government; what tools do they use?
They use lobbying, public campaigns, and political donations to advocate for their interests.
What is it about Texas’ government that makes interest groups and lobbyists relatively more influential than in other states?
- Texas has a part-time legislature that meets only once every two years for 140 days. Lawmakers rely heavily on lobbyists for information and expertise, giving lobbyists more influence.
- Texas has relatively lenient campaign finance laws, allowing interest groups to make substantial political contributions, increasing their leverage over politicians.
- Power is spread across numerous state agencies and boards, making it easier for interest groups to target specific decision-makers.
What has the state done to make them more transparent?
- Lobbyist Registration: Individuals who are paid to lobby state officials must register with the Texas
- Ethics Commission. They are required to disclose details about the issues they are lobbying for, the entities they represent, and the amounts spent on lobbying activities.
What factors make polls more or less accurate?
- Sample size: Larger samples generally provide more accurate results, reducing the margin of error.
- Sampling Method: Random sampling is more accurate than convenience or voluntary sampling because it better represents the overall population.
- Question Wording and Order: Leading or biased questions can skew results.
Explain how the media has evolved over time, with particular attention to the current era. Why do we protect it in the Bill of Rights?
Print Media (1700s - 1900s): newspapers, pamphlets
- Radio (1920s - 1950s)
- Television (1950s - 1990s)
- Cable News and 24/7 Coverage (1980s - 2000s)
- Internet and Online Media (1990s - Present)
- Social Media and Digital Platforms (2000s - Present)
- media is protected under freedom of speech. It’s protected to hold the government accountable foster open debate.
What is the difference between an interest group and a political party?
Interest groups influence policy on specific issues; political parties aim to win elections and govern.
What is the theory behind how political parties are supposed to work, and what are the limitations of that theory in reality?
- Theory: Parties represent voter interests, recruit candidates, organize elections, set policy agendas, and provide accountability.
- Reality: In practice, parties often prioritize winning over policy, cater to wealthy donors, become polarized, cause gridlock, and risk alienating voters.
What does it mean to say that we have a two party system?
two major parties – the Democratic Party and the Republican Party – dominate elections and government.
What is an example of a Third Party?
Libertarian Party: Advocates for limited government, individual liberties, and free-market policies.
Why do Third Parties struggle to succeed in the U.S?
Voters often view third-party votes as “wasted votes”, reinforcing the two-party dominance.
How does a system of Proportional Representation help Third Parties in other countries?
parties gain seats in the legislature based on the percentage of votes they receive, rather than a winner-take-all approach.
How have political parties and party identification evolved in Texas? Why were there both liberal and conservative Democrats historically?
