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Government
Test 2 - Chapters 3 and 4
137
Other
Undergraduate 2
10/03/2014

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Cards

Term
What form of government has the greatest effect on our daily lives?
Definition
Local - which is city and or county depending on where you live.
Term
What constitution creates cities and counties? US or Texas
Definition
Texas Constitution
Term
Who decides what legal designation of a city will be?
Definition
Voters of the area
Term
What is the advantage of home-rule cities?
Definition
Flexibility
Term
Who can limit the number of terms that an elected official may serve?
Definition
Voters

Home rule - Limits the rules
General - They follow the state
Term
Where do most of Texans reside in Texas? Rural areas or cities?
Definition
Cities
Term
Is there more participation in local governmental elections or national elections?
Definition
National
Term
Do election laws make a difference in who wins?
Definition
Yes -
Term
Dillion' Rule
Definition
Local govts have only powers granted by their state govt – followed in Texas
Term
General Law Cities
Definition
A community with a population of less than 201 or more; adopt a charter prescribed by the Texas legislature
Term
Partisan
Definition
Term
Strong Mayor- Council
Definition
Popular among large cities
Best form because it provides strong leadership and is more responsive to citizens
Council elected from single member districts; mayor from mix of at-large or single member election
Mayor has power to appoint and remove department heads
Has veto power
Only Houston and Pasadena use this form in Texas
Term
Initiative
Definition
propose a law through petition and approved by popular vote
Term
Single- Member district
Definition
Term
Sheriff
Definition
Term
Commissioner's Court
Definition
Term
Special District
Definition
Schools, water company, hospitals, etc.
Term
At Large Districts
Definition
Term
Municipal ( City government)
Definition
Term
Home Rule Cities
Definition
City of more than 5,000 can draft a local charter that is adopted, amended or repealed by majority vote in a city wide election
Term
Weak Mayor Council
Definition
Mayor has limited power
Officers share powers
Term
Council - Manager
Definition
Most of Texas’s home rule cities follow this form
Mayor elected at large, presides but few powers
Council elected at large or single member districts
City manager appointed to manage departments
Weakness is lacks a leader to whom citizens can complain
Respond more to elite and middle class concerns
Term
Referendum
Definition
through a petition approves or repeals an existing city law
Note: Bonds secured by taxes and constitutional amendments must be submitted to voters for approval
Term
Cumulative Voting
Definition
Term
County Judge
Definition
Term
County Clerk
Definition
Term
Cooley Doctrine
Definition
Local govt is a matter of absolute rule and the state cannot take it away
Term
Non Partisan Election
Definition
No labels - You do not know if they are democratic or republican
Term
Ordinance
Definition
A Law
Term
Commission Form
Definition
Lacks a single executive

Commissioners form a policy making board
Term
At-Large Elections
Definition
Term
Recall
Definition
Voting someone out of office
remove officials
Term
Intergovernmental Relations
Definition
Relations between all different governments
Term
County Auditor
Definition
Audits the budget for the county
Term
County Tax Assessor-collector
Definition
Collects payments of vehicle registration and property taxes
Term
Single Member Districts
Definition
Term
The three powers
Definition
1. Recall (vote to remove)
2. Initiate (vote on a law)
3. Referendum (vote to remove
Term
What are some types of governments we have?
Definition
state, national, local, county, city, school.
Term
What are the four forms of government?
Definition
1. Strong mayor-council (IAH - Pasadena)
2. Weak mayor-council
3. Council - manager
4. Commission - (Smaller cities)
Term
Are city elections partisan or non partisan?
Definition
Non Partisan
Term
What is the role of political parties in Texas municipal elections?
Definition
minimal/limited
Term
What are the two largest tax sources of city Government?
Definition
Property tax and Sales tax
Term
Are city council and counties required to redistrict?
Definition
Yes every 10 years after the census is finalized
Term
Why is the structure and operation of counties in the state of Texas the same?
Definition
Because they all follow the Texas Constitution - all have the same structure
Term
How many counties are there in Texas
Definition
254
Term
What are the primary functions of the commissioner's court?
Definition
Adopting the budget, tax rates, roads and bridges
Term
What is the principle advantage for home-rule cities in Texas?
Definition
Flexibility
Term
Which is the most popular form of municipal government amount large cities? Why?
Definition
Strong-mayor because of leadership you can go to one direct person
Term
Which is the most popular form of municipal government amount Texas home-rule cities?
Definition
Council manager
Term
What is the role of political parties in Texas municipal elections?
Definition
To get them to the primaries????????
Term
What functions are performed by counties in Texas?
Definition
Taxes, jails, rural roads, bridges, etc..
Term
Which county official has both administrative and judicial responsibilities?
Definition
County Judge
Term
Who issues certificates of the title showing proof of ownership for motor vehicles?
Definition
County Tax Assessor Collector
Term
Which is the most visible special district?
Definition
Schools
Term
Political Party
Definition
combination of people and interests whose primary purpose is to gain control of government winning elections
**Parties are Not mentioned in the Constitution
Term
Conservatives
Definition
Term
Precinct Convention
Definition
Term
Role of permanent party organization
Definition
Term
Realignment
Definition
Term
Third Party
Definition
Someone that is not democratic, republic, liberal. They are alone.
Any political party other than the Democratic or Republican Party
Term
Presidential Preference primary
Definition
Term
Liberal
Definition
1. Favor government regulation of economy to achieve more equal distribution of wealth

2. Favor government involvement in social programs

3. Protect individual freedoms and rights

4. Seek limited role in other social issues (morality, religion)
Term
District Convention
Definition
Term
Role of temporary party organization
Definition
Term
Neoconservative
Definition
Term
Independent
Definition
Applies to candidates who have no party affiliation

Limited success due to no campaign organization or fundraising abilities, difficulty gaining ballot access
Term
State Convention
Definition
Term
Do the two major parties in Texas have the same structure? Why or why not?
Definition
same goals, mandate elections and follow the Texas Constitution.
Term
What is the underlying assumption of conservative philosophy?
Definition
Term
What is the principal difficulty faced by women candidate for elective office?
Definition
Term
What type of campaign finance laws does Texas have?
Definition
Term
After reconstruction and until the 1960's, what party dominated in Texas?
Definition
Term
The policy of less government regulation of the economy and more government involvement in social problem is known as?
Definition
Democratic?
Term
What are the two main parties in Texas?
Definition
Democratic and Republican
Term
What is a party’s primary interest?
Definition
Concerned with recruitment, nomination and election of citizens to govt offices
Term
Why are two parties alike in structure?
Definition
Texas Election Code mandates it
Term
How many votes do you need to win in a general election in Texas?
Definition
State election laws specify winner must receive largest number of votes (plurality) without a runoff in a general election
Term
At what levels of government to political parties exist?
Definition
Parties exist at the national, state, county and precinct

Loosely organized so State and local levels are free to decide their positions on party issues
Term
What does the temporary party organization consist of?
Definition
Events are temporary because Not ongoing activities

Consists of Primaries and conventions where members of the major political parties select candidates for public office
Term
What types of party conventions are held and what do they do?
Definition
Precinct conventions
Occur every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday in March (early voting Feb 17
Usually sparsely attended
Sometimes propositions are placed on the ballot
County and District Conventions
Select delegate to State convention
Submit resolutions

State Conventions
Write the rules that will govern party
Adopt a party platform
In presidential election years nominate delegates to national convention
Elect slate of presidential electors to cast electoral vote if party ticket wins
Term
What is the role of the Permanent Party Organization and what does it consist of?
Definition
In Texas the precinct chairs, county, district and state committees make up the permanent organization

Precinct Chair
Organizes the party’s activities in a district

County and District Executive Committees
Conduct county primaries and arrange county conventions
District executive committee nominates candidates to fill district vacancies
State Executive Committee

Highest permanent party organization in state

Members elected at party’s state convention

Composed of a chair, vice chair, and two members from each senatorial district

State party chair is chief fundraiser.
Term
What is political ideology?
Definition
Attitudes, values and beliefs toward parties, candidates and issues.
Term
What is the difference between a party's permanent organization and its temporary organization?
Definition
Term
True or False: A political party's state chair is chosen by the temporary organization.
Definition
Term
What do the terms liberal and conservative mean in Texas?
Definition
Terms liberals and conservatives mean more to Texans than political party names
Meanings change with time
Each label has varying shades of meaning for people
Term
Why do Texans tend to be conservative in general?
Definition
Because of Individualistic and traditionalism cultures democrats and republicans tend to be conservative
Term
What do modern conservative believe?
Definition
1. no govt interference

2. laissez faire – if left to pursue own self-interest especially economic more beneficial and less cost to govt

3. opposed to govt subsidized programs; ex: unemployment insurance
Term
Conservative are divided into two categories. What are they?
Definition
Social conservatives: family values; opposed to abortion or gay marriage


Fiscal conservatives: reduced taxes and spending
Term
What do Tea Party activists argue?
Definition
Argue size and scope of govt out of control

Ted Cruz won in large part to support from large conservative PACS
Term
What do Liberals favor?
Definition
1. Favor government regulation of economy to achieve more equal distribution of wealth

2. Favor government involvement in social programs

3. Protect individual freedoms and rights

4. Seek limited role in other social issues (morality, religion)
Term
What is Neoliberal?
Definition
They argue for:
1. Less government regulation of business and economy,

2. but greater government involvement in social programs
Term
What is the primary difference between conservatives and neoconservatives?
Definition
Term
True or False: Texas Democrats generally have a liberal political ideology.
Definition
Term
What is neoconservative?
Definition
Term
What is the history of the political parties in Texas
Definition
1840s to 1870s: Origin of the Party System (Democrats)

Pro-Houston faction
Jackson Democrats
Anti-Houston faction
Calhoun Democrats

1865 to 1873 (Reconstruction Republicans )– E.J. Davis
1870s to1970s: A One-Party Dominant System (Democrats)

Strong Democratic Party

Populist Party
Agrarian based

Conservative Democrats v. Liberal Democrats

1970s to1990s: An Emerging Two-Party System
Resurgence of Republican Party

2000 to 2012: Republican Dominance
Controlled all state-wide elections
George Bush wins presidency in 2000
Republicans take control of the Texas House in 2002
Term
What have been some of the electoral trends?
Definition
Competition between parties has brought more women and minorities
Texas politics become more party centered

Though many self proclaimed independents many vote republican

Dealignment
Voters trend away from allegiance to political parties

Realignment
Voters shift away from one political party to another

Straight-Ticket Voting
Voting for all the candidates of one party

Democrats unsuccessful in statewide elections but still control many county offices

Straight-ticket voting of democratic voters declined

Change in demographics cause optimism
Term
Are third parties successful?
Definition
Don’t win many elections.

Success in making the public aware of their issues, persuading major parties adopt some of their issues
Term
Who was the last independent candidate to be elected governor of Texas?
Definition
Sam Houston
Term
True or false: Third parties’ success comes more often in the form of their ability to make the public aware of the issues than in the number of their candidates elected to office.
Definition
Term
What are the two views on the powers that local governments have or should have?
Definition
Dillon’s Rule: Local govts have only powers granted by their state govt – followed in Texas

Cooley Doctrine: Local govt is a matter of absolute rule and the state cannot take it away
Term
Which rule does Texas follow?
Definition
Local govts are weaker than state and federal govts.

Texas follows Dillon’s rule
Term
How are local govts in Texas created?
Definition
Texas’s local governments are created by the state and subject to the state.
Term
What laws must they obey?
Definition
Term
What are some of the Grassroots Challenges of local govts?
Definition
More than 80 % of Texans reside in cities. They want their concerns addressed – crime, streets, public schools….

Cities are becoming diverse in population requesting services.

Making sure that all communities receive equal access to public services is a challenge.

Voter apathy a challenge with fewer than 10% participating in local elections.
Term
Do local governments have more flexibility to make their own decisions under Dillon’s Rule or the Cooley Doctrine? Which one does Texas follow?
Definition
Dillions
Term
Are federal (or intergovernmental) relations marked by conflict, cooperation, or both?
Definition
Term
Why is it important to understand how local govt works?
Definition
It affects our daily lives the most.

It’s important to understand why public policies are made.
Term
What are 2 Legal Status of Municipalities (Cities)?
Definition
General-law city – A community with a population of less than 201 or more; adopt a charter prescribed by the Texas legislature


Home-rule city – City of more than 5,000 can draft a local charter that is adopted, amended or repealed by majority vote in a city wide election
Term
What is principle advantage of home rule cities?
Definition
Flexibility on how they will organize and operate

2. Charter establishes powers of officers, sets salaries and terms, spells out procedures for making city laws

3. Home rules cities exercise 3 powers not held by the state or general law cities:
Term
What are those 3 powers?
Definition
1. Recall – remove officials

2. Initiative- propose a law through petition and approved by popular vote

3. Referendum – through a petition approves or repeals an existing city law
Note: Bonds secured by taxes and constitutional amendments must be submitted to voters for approval
Term
What are 4 Forms of Municipal Government?
Definition
1. Strong mayor-council (IAH - Pasadena)
2. Weak mayor-council
3. Council - manager
4. Commission - (Smaller cities)
Term
How do non-partisan elections affect elections?
Definition
Voter turnout low
Reduced minority representation
More personal and less issue oriented
Term
Do Cities and special districts have partisan elections?
Definition
No.
Term
What is redistricting and why is it required?
Definition
Redistricting – Under federal law, all city council districts lines must be redrawn to represent same population

Redistricting has been challenged due to gerrymandering
Term
Why is redistricting so important?
Definition
Term
What are 2 ways of organizing elections?
Definition
What are At-large elections?

Members are elected on a city wide basis

What are Single-member district elections?

Members are elected from an area within city

What is cumulative voting?

When multiple seats are vacant in an at large election, voters cast one or more votes in any combination
Term
Do Socioeconomic changes make a difference on who is elected/election rules?
Definition
Increasing urbanization

Diversity in population

Differences in education and economic development have resulted in a more diverse state
Term
What types of services do cities provide?
Definition
Police and fire protection,
streets, water,
sewer and sanitation,
parks and recreation,
libraries,
airports, hospitals, community development, housing

Regulations
Zoning, construction, food service
Term
What are other sources of Revenue?
Definition
Property tax exemptions and caps
Fees
Bonds
Term
What is the bottom line when shortage in revenue?
Definition
Pressure against increasing taxes results in cutting services or finding other means of raising revenue.
Term
How does Texas try to Generate Revenue for Economic Development?
Definition
Tax reinvestment zones (TRZs)

Tax breaks to attract investment in blighted inner-city and other areas needing development
Term
1. Which of the following election forms tend to increase the representation of minorities in local government: nonpartisan elections, redistricting, at-large elections, single-member district elections, or cumulative voting?
Definition
Term
What are the two largest tax sources that provide revenue to local governments? Do these taxes usually provide enough revenue for local governments to meet the demands placed on them?
Definition
Term
What type of Structure and Operations do Counties have and are all counties the same?
Definition
County structures are set As required by Texas Constitution

All counties have the Same basic structure

Texas Constitution provides for Partisan election to serve four-year term for all elected county officials
Term
What is the structure and Operation Commissioners Court?
Definition
Major policy-making body of the county

Membership includes four elected commissioners for specific precinct
Term
Who is County Judge?
Definition
Presiding county officer

Completes administrative and judicial functions
Term
Counties Structure
Definition
County Attorney and District Attorney

County Sheriff
Chief law enforcement officer

Law enforcement and judges
District court clerk, justices of the peace, constables

Country Clerk and County Tax Assessor-Collector

Treasurer and Auditor
Term
What are the sources of revenue for counties?
Definition
Taxation
Property tax
Sales tax

Revenues from nontax sources
Fees
Federal grants-in-aid
Bonds

Tax incentives and subsidies
Tax abatements, reimbursements, tax increment financing
Term
How and what does the County pay for?
Definition
Term
Challenges
Definition
County Government Reform
Merit systems or home rule

Border Counties
High growth because of NAFTA and immigration
Most impoverished counties in the nation
Colonias (2300)
Depressed housing settlements often without running water or sewage systems
Border security
Term
True or False: Local residents of each county can determine the structure of their own county government.
Definition
Term
What is the major policymaking body in each Texas county?
Definition
Term
What is usually the most important source of revenue for county governments?
Definition
Term
What are Special Districts?
Definition
Public School Districts
Junior or Community College Districts (50)
Noneducation Special Districts (2,300)
Term
What is Municipal Annexation?
Definition
Provides process for home-rule cities grappling with suburban sprawl
Extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)

Allows regulation and annexation of unincorporated areas
Intended to improve order and planning
Term
What are the two primary ways that Texas deals with problems in metropolitan areas?
Definition
Term
Which groups want to be annexed? Which do not?
Definition
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