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Texas Government > Unit 2 > Flashcards

Unit 2 Flashcards

(66 cards)

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1
Q

What is a bill placed early on the senate calendar each session called?

A

A blocking bill

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2
Q

What is the practice called when politicians award contracts to their political supporters in the business community

A

Contract Spoils

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3
Q

A criminal case does not involve cases that deal primarily with…

A

Individual or property rights

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4
Q

What can a filibuster be used to do?

A

To delay and maybe kill a legislative measure

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5
Q

A grand jury commission can select…

A

Texas grand jurors

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6
Q

A preponderance of the evidence is…

A

The burden of proof standard used in civil cases.

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7
Q

A standing committee is NOT…

A

Ad hoc

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8
Q

A state-of-the-state message must be given…

A

By the governor at the beginning of each legislative session, as required by the constitution

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9
Q

To remove a governor what is necessary?

A

A two-thirds vote for impeachment in the Senate

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10
Q

Because Texas is a community property state, Alimony…

A

(Alimony) must be paid after five years of marriage

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11
Q

Although Texas law protects the property rights of owners…

A

An owner may not MISUSE it.

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12
Q

Although the non-Hispanic WHITE population accounts for ___% of the state’s population, ____% of the senators are non-Hispanic white

A

Although the non-Hispanic WHITE population accounts for 45% of the state’s population, 74% of the senators are non-Hispanic white

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13
Q

An advantage for a house member to support the winning speaker candidate includes…

A
  • becoming part of the speaker’s team
  • more campaign contributions
  • may include membership on a prestigious committee
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14
Q

Is a brief a written argument prepared by a judge?

A

INCORRECT; (a brief is a written legal argument that is presented to a court to aid it in reaching a conclusion on the legal issues involved in the cases)

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15
Q

Are arrest warrants issued for an individuals who looks suspicious?

A

NO

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16
Q

Is Arson an example of a civil (tort) suit?

A

NO

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17
Q

Because a bill can be enacted into law by a committee in case of an emergency, committees are often called…

A

Little Legislatures

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18
Q

Is being a resident of Texas for 10 years a qualification necessary to become a district court judge?

A

NO

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19
Q

What do both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution guarantee?

A

The right to a grand jury indictment

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20
Q

What is the most important constitutional duty for the comptroller of public accounts?

A

Certifying the approximate biennial revenue for the state.

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21
Q

Does civil law deal with public morality?

A

NO

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22
Q

Civil law in the states today is based in large part on…

A

(Based on) centuries-old English common law

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23
Q

When the prosecutors agree to a plea bargain…

A

The criminal is not punished to the full measure of their crime

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24
Q

Driving while intoxicated is considered a…

A

Victimless crime

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25
Grand juries are supposed to determine if there is...
Sufficient evidence to bring the accused to trial
26
In Texas, crime is more likely in...
- large metropolitan area - minority-group members (they’re arrested disproportionately for crime) - the poor (regardless of racial or ethnic background are more likely to commit violent crimes than members of the middle and upper classes.
27
In the 1989 case Edgewood v. Kirby, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously declared that...
The huge disparities between rich and poor school districts were unacceptable and ordered changes in the financing of Texas’s public schools
28
Informal criteria to become a governor...
- being a WASP (white Anglo-Saxon Protestant) - male - typically governors will be a businessperson or attorney
29
The purview of the presiding officers of the legislature does not include...
Interpreting laws and giving advisory options
30
Justin of the peace courts are authorized by...
The Texas Constitution
31
What profession is the most frequently represented in the U.S. legislature?
Law
32
Like the federal congress, what can override the governor’s veto?
A two-thirds vote
33
Why did LULAC v. Perry happen?
Because in 2003, the Texas State Legislature passed a REDISTRICTING plan that replaced the one created by a federal judge following the 2000 census. Critics of the plan charged that it was unconstitutional and violated the Voting Rights Act because it diluted racial minority voting strength and was designed to maximize partisan advantage
34
What made the exclusionary rule applicable to the states?
Mapp v. Ohio
35
What are the members of the Legislative Redistricting Board made up of?
Ex-officios
36
Municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over...
- violation of city ordinance - class C misdemeanors - fine of $500 or less
37
No-fault insurance is...
A kind of insurance plan that allows the insured person to collect from the individual’s own insurance company regardless of who is at fault in a vehicular accident.
38
Original jurisdiction of a court involves all of the following EXCEPT
A review of the record
39
Pairing involves...
Placing two incumbent officeholders in the same elective district through redistricting
40
Strategies in the placement of bills on calendars by the House Calendar Committee can include...
- placing a bill lower to gain time to build support - placing it near the top to get it passed before the opposition can organize - placing it toward the bottom because they oppose the bill
41
Probate is the procedure used to...
Prove the validity of a will
42
Is providing a proxy vote in order to have a quorum within the authority of the presiding officer of the senate?
NO
43
Are there right-to-work laws in Texas?
Yes!
44
Right-to-work laws prohibit...
Union shop agreements requiring new employees to join a union
45
Texas has how many Courts of appeal?
14; Texas has 14 courts of appeal
46
How many county courts does Texas have?
254; Texas has 254 county courts
47
What does the 4th amendment prohibit?
Unreasonable searches
48
The attorney general is...
The lawyer for state officials, board members and agencies.
49
The bureaucracy is the...
System of officials and their employees administering or managing government policies and programs
50
Is the commissioner of education legally independent of the governor?
NO
51
Is the comptroller a part of the Iron Texas Star coalition?
NO
52
Why were legally mandated term limits brought about?
From the frustration of voters toward government officials controlled by special interests
53
In the event a special session is called...
The governor determines the legislative agenda
54
The governor’s ability to use informal powers is largely determined by...
The extent of informal (extralegal) powers
55
Why is the governor’s authority to reject a proposed law almost an absolute power?
Because the legislature is seldom in session when the governor issues a veto
56
Has the legislature passed laws involving reforming automobile insurance lawsuits?
NO
57
Th majority of cases heard by the Texas Supreme Court are for...
Petition for review
58
The presiding officers make appointments of committee chairs in...
Each legislative chamber
59
The salary of the governor is determined by...
The legislature
60
The Texas commissioner of agriculture has no authority over...
Coordinating pesticide management policies and programs
61
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has...
One presiding judge and Eight other judges
62
The threat of a veto by the governor is...
an informal legislative power of the not mentioned in the constitution or the law
63
Theft of money greater than $1,500...
Is NOT considered a white-collar crime
64
What is the vast majority of cases heard by municipal courts?
Traffic and parking violations
65
When the public safety is endangered...
Miranda warnings are still necessary!
66
Women in the Texas legislature have experienced...
An INCREASE in the # of women holding seats (still falls below the average among the 50 states for women holding seats, and twenty-six states have a greater percentage of female lawmakers than Texas)

Texas Government (3 decks)

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