final pt.2

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 is going public?

Answer 6

It means 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 when it comes to running for Governor?

Answer 12

Historically underrepresented but seeing gradual increase; still face challenges.

Question 13

What are the 3 primary jobs of the governor? Explain each.

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? What are their functions? Explain their procedures.

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Explain the purpose of intermediate appellate courts. What are appeals based on?

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

What political actors and institutions have 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; each affects independence/accountability.

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? How do cases make it to the supreme court?

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. What are courts of last resorts?

Answer 32

Trial: hear original cases; Appellate: review decisions; Last resort: state supreme courts.

Question 33

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

Answer 33

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

Question 34

How do interested parties try to influence courts?

Answer 34

Through lobbying, public campaigns, and filing amicus briefs.

Question 35

How do state courts differ from federal courts?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

What is an indictment? What does a grand jury do?

Answer 36

Indictment: formal charge; Grand jury determines probable cause.

Question 37

What is recidivism? How can some courts address this issue?

Answer 37

Repeat offending; addressed via drug courts, rehabilitation programs.

Question 38

What are street-level bureaucrats? How do they set policy?

Answer 38

Frontline workers who interpret and implement policy in daily interactions.

Question 39

What are urban party machines? How did they operate?

Answer 39

Political organizations that controlled cities via patronage and loyalty.

Question 40

Explain the relationship among efficiency, accountability, and corruption.

Answer 40

Balancing effective service delivery with transparency and integrity.

Question 41

Explain the civil service system. Why is it necessary?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

What are earmarked fees?

Answer 42

Funds collected for specific purposes like gas tax for roads.

Question 43

Explain Home Rule. What is Dillon's Rule?

Answer 43

Home Rule: local autonomy; Dillon's Rule: state controls unless power is granted.

Question 44

What are the five types of local governments?

Answer 44

Cities, counties, towns, school districts, special districts. Cities/counties are general purpose.

Question 45

What do special districts do? Give examples.

Answer 45

Provide specific services like schools, water, transportation.

Question 46

What are the main governmental structures for municipalities? Counties?

Answer 46

Mayor-council, council-manager, commission systems for cities and counties.

Question 47

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

Answer 47

It has increased significantly over the past century.

Question 48

Explain urban machines, how they functioned, and how they maintained power.

Answer 48

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

Question 49

What reforms have addressed problems in government?

Answer 49

Civil service, nonpartisan ballots, term limits. Reduced machine power.

Question 50

What are some consequences of municipal reform?

Answer 50

Less corruption but sometimes reduced representation or voter engagement.

Question 51

Discuss different theories of community power.

Answer 51

Elite theory, pluralism, regime theory explain who holds power locally.

Question 52

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

Answer 52

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

Question 53

Differentiate revenue from expenditures.

Answer 53

Revenue: money collected; Expenditures: money spent.

Question 54

What policy areas does money usually go to?

Answer 54

Education, healthcare, public safety, transportation.

Question 55

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

Answer 55

Taxes, fees, federal aid, fines, bonds.

Question 56

What is the tax burden?

Answer 56

Share of income paid in taxes.

Question 57

Differentiate regressive from progressive taxes.

Answer 57

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

Question 58

What criteria do we use to evaluate taxes?

Answer 58

Equity, efficiency, simplicity, yield, accountability.

Question 59

What are the two things we need to determine property taxes?

Answer 59

Assessed value and tax rate.

Question 60

What are protections against unfair property taxes?

Answer 60

Assessment caps and appeals processes.

Question 61

Explain sales taxes and income taxes.

Answer 61

Sales: regressive, broad-based; Income: progressive.

Question 62

What other types of taxes do states and localities use?

Answer 62

Excise taxes, sin taxes, license fees.

Question 63

Give examples of entrepreneurial sources of revenue.

Answer 63

Toll roads, lotteries, public utilities, state-run liquor stores.

Question 64

Give examples of intergovernmental aid.

Answer 64

Federal grants, block grants, matching funds.

Question 65

Give examples of borrowing as a source of revenue.

Answer 65

General obligation and revenue bonds.

Question 66

What is the bureaucracy? What do they do?

Answer 66

Administrative agencies that implement laws and services.

Question 67

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

Answer 67

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

Question 68

How do these reforms relate to political machines?

Answer 68

They reduce patronage and increase fairness and competence.