Question 1

What does Article VI of the U.S.Constitution providefor incase of a conflict between the U.S.Constitution and a state constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) The U.S. Constitution invariably takes precedence. 
B) The state constitution invariably takes precedence. 
C) The issue involved determines which document takes precedence. 
D) The question of precedence must be settled by the U.S. Congress. 
E) The question of precedence must be settled by the state legislature. 
A) The U.S. Constitution invariably takes precedence. 
B) The state constitution invariably takes precedence. 
C) The issue involved determines which document takes precedence. 
D) The question of precedence must be settled by the U.S. Congress. 
E) The question of precedence must be settled by the state legislature. A

Question 2

Article 1 of the Texas Constitution contains _____.

Accepted Answer

A) provisions pertaining to the legislative branch 
B) provisions pertaining to the executive branch 
C) provisions pertaining to the judicial branch 
D) provisions pertaining to the amending procedure 
E) the Texas Bill of Rights 
A) provisions pertaining to the legislative branch 
B) provisions pertaining to the executive branch 
C) provisions pertaining to the judicial branch 
D) provisions pertaining to the amending procedure 
E) the Texas Bill of Rights E

Question 3

Compare and contrast the Texas Constitution with the U.S.Constitution.How are the provisions related to the legislature,the executive branch,and the judiciary similar,and how are they different,in the two documents? What effect have changes in the U.S.Constitution had on the Texas Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution have several similarities and differences in their provisions related to the legislature, the executive branch, and the judiciary.

In terms of the legislature, both constitutions establish a bicameral system with a House of Representatives and a Senate. However, the Texas Constitution has a larger legislature with 150 members in the House and 31 members in the Senate, while the U.S. Constitution has 435 members in the House and 100 members in the Senate. Both constitutions also outline the powers and responsibilities of the legislature, including the authority to make laws and oversee the budget.

Regarding the executive branch, both constitutions establish a governor as the chief executive officer. However, the U.S. Constitution also includes a vice president and a cabinet, which are not present in the Texas Constitution. Additionally, the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for electing the president and vice president through the Electoral College, while the Texas Constitution does not have a similar provision for the election of the governor.

In terms of the judiciary, both constitutions establish a system of courts to interpret and apply the law. However, the U.S. Constitution also establishes the Supreme Court as the highest court in the land, with the power of judicial review, while the Texas Constitution does not have a similar provision for a state supreme court with the same level of authority.

Changes in the U.S. Constitution have had an impact on the Texas Constitution. For example, the addition of the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments to the U.S. Constitution have influenced the protection of individual rights in the Texas Constitution. Additionally, decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court have set precedents that have influenced the interpretation of the Texas Constitution.

In conclusion, while the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution share similarities in their provisions related to the legislature, the executive branch, and the judiciary, there are also notable differences in the structure and powers of these branches. Changes in the U.S. Constitution have had an impact on the Texas Constitution, particularly in the protection of individual rights and the interpretation of the law.

Question 4

In practice,how has federalism changed over time? Have these changes affected federal-state and federal-state-local relationships? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Federalism in the United States has evol

Question 5

​Federalism refers to how power can be divided between _____.

Accepted Answer

A) the central government and regional governments 
B) regional governments and local governments 
C) the central government and local governments 
D) ​the central government and neighboring countries 
E) ​regional governments and neighboring countries 
A) the central government and regional governments 
B) regional governments and local governments 
C) the central government and local governments 
D) ​the central government and neighboring countries 
E) ​regional governments and neighboring countries

Question 6

Which of these strategies areused by groups to embed their particular policy concerns in the state constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) Secure a provision that will result in economic gains for the group. 
B) Prohibit the state from taking a particular action. 
C) Secure tax relief. 
D) Advance a special interest that is already the subject of a constitutional guarantee. 
E) All of these strategies are used by such groups. 
A) Secure a provision that will result in economic gains for the group. 
B) Prohibit the state from taking a particular action. 
C) Secure tax relief. 
D) Advance a special interest that is already the subject of a constitutional guarantee. 
E) All of these strategies are used by such groups.

Question 7

​To ensure an organized government,what must a constitutionaccomplish?

Accepted Answer

A) ​Clarify who are the major officials of the government. 
B) ​Determine how major officials of the government are elected. 
C) ​Establish what the relationships are among those charged with governmental functions. 
D) Ensure that major officials do not have discretion to determine whether constitutional provisions apply togiven situations 
E) ​All of these must be accomplished by a constitution. 
A) ​Clarify who are the major officials of the government. 
B) ​Determine how major officials of the government are elected. 
C) ​Establish what the relationships are among those charged with governmental functions. 
D) Ensure that major officials do not have discretion to determine whether constitutional provisions apply togiven situations 
E) ​All of these must be accomplished by a constitution.

Question 8

Which statement about the initial Reconstruction Constitution of 1869 or the Civil War Constitution of 1861 is not true?

Accepted Answer

A) ​The 1869 constitution provided forimproved conditions for African Americans. 
B) ​The succession from the Union was made to be illegal in the 1869 constitution. 
C) ​Slavery was abolished in accordance with the 1869 constitution. 
D) Civil War debt to the Confederacy was repudiated under the 1869 constitution. 
E) All of these statementsare true. 
A) ​The 1869 constitution provided forimproved conditions for African Americans. 
B) ​The succession from the Union was made to be illegal in the 1869 constitution. 
C) ​Slavery was abolished in accordance with the 1869 constitution. 
D) Civil War debt to the Confederacy was repudiated under the 1869 constitution. 
E) All of these statementsare true.

Question 9

​Picket fence federalism is considered the closest variant of whichtype of federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) ​cooperative federalism 
B) ​dual federalism 
C) ​regulated federalism 
D) ​layer cake federalism 
E) coercive federalism 
A) ​cooperative federalism 
B) ​dual federalism 
C) ​regulated federalism 
D) ​layer cake federalism 
E) coercive federalism

Question 10

Amendments to the Texas Constitution are successfully proposed by _____ and are successfully ratified by _____.

Accepted Answer

A) the Texas legislature; popular vote in Texas 
B) the Texas legislature; the Texas governor's signature 
C) the Texas governor's signature; popular vote in Texas 
D) the Texas governor's signature; the Texas legislature 
E) popular vote in Texas; the Texas legislature 
A) the Texas legislature; popular vote in Texas 
B) the Texas legislature; the Texas governor's signature 
C) the Texas governor's signature; popular vote in Texas 
D) the Texas governor's signature; the Texas legislature 
E) popular vote in Texas; the Texas legislature

Question 11

What has resulted from everymajor effort to revise or replace the Texas Constitution since 1876?​

Accepted Answer

A) substantial reduction of the number of articles in the Texas Constitution 
B) ​more flexibility inlawmakers' ability to interpret laws and provisions written in the Texas Constitution 
C) ​a collapsing of the more redundant or repetitive amendments in the Texas Constitution into fewer, more encompassing amendments 
D) ​a reduction of the state governor's tenure from an elected four-year term to a two-year term 
E) ​none of these 
A) substantial reduction of the number of articles in the Texas Constitution 
B) ​more flexibility inlawmakers' ability to interpret laws and provisions written in the Texas Constitution 
C) ​a collapsing of the more redundant or repetitive amendments in the Texas Constitution into fewer, more encompassing amendments 
D) ​a reduction of the state governor's tenure from an elected four-year term to a two-year term 
E) ​none of these

Question 12

The legislative article of the Texas Constitution _____.

Accepted Answer

A) places term limits on state legislators 
B) provides for long and frequent legislative sessions 
C) allows legislators to set their own salaries 
D) emphasizes the positive powers of the legislature 
E) places innumerable restrictions on legislative action 
A) places term limits on state legislators 
B) provides for long and frequent legislative sessions 
C) allows legislators to set their own salaries 
D) emphasizes the positive powers of the legislature 
E) places innumerable restrictions on legislative action

Question 13

Which of these was not a provision of the constitution adopted in 1876?

Accepted Answer

A) setting the salaries of elected officials 
B) establishing a state debt ceiling 
C) limiting the governor's term to two years 
D) holding annual regular legislative sessions 
E) limiting the number of executive appointments the governor may make 
A) setting the salaries of elected officials 
B) establishing a state debt ceiling 
C) limiting the governor's term to two years 
D) holding annual regular legislative sessions 
E) limiting the number of executive appointments the governor may make

Question 14

The traditionalistic-individualistic political culture of Texas resulted in a constitution _____.

Accepted Answer

A) that centralizes power in the governor 
B) with a heavy emphasis on limiting government's ability to act 
C) that does not have a bill of rights 
D) with unlimited controls on spending 
E) with a high degree of flexibility 
A) that centralizes power in the governor 
B) with a heavy emphasis on limiting government's ability to act 
C) that does not have a bill of rights 
D) with unlimited controls on spending 
E) with a high degree of flexibility

Question 15

Vested state interests prefer which of these over the others?

Accepted Answer

A) ​an amendment to the state constitution in their favor 
B) ​a change in the party alignment among the state citizenry 
C) ​a more favorable state legislature 
D) ​a more favorable state governor 
E) achange in the political persuasions of the state citizenry 
A) ​an amendment to the state constitution in their favor 
B) ​a change in the party alignment among the state citizenry 
C) ​a more favorable state legislature 
D) ​a more favorable state governor 
E) achange in the political persuasions of the state citizenry

Question 16

How is picket fence federalism different from cooperative federalism?​

Accepted Answer

Picket fence federalism and cooperative

Question 17

Why are state constitutions amended more frequently than the U.S.Constitution?​

Accepted Answer

State constitutions are amended more fre

Question 18

​Which of these would best describe the relationship between state laws and federal laws?

Accepted Answer

A) ​Most states, including Texas, do not have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
B) ​Most states, including Texas, have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
C) ​Texas is the only state that has constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
D) ​Texas is the only state that does not have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
E) Every state's laws take precedence overfederal law if there is a conflict between them. 
A) ​Most states, including Texas, do not have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
B) ​Most states, including Texas, have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
C) ​Texas is the only state that has constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
D) ​Texas is the only state that does not have constitutional and statutory provisions that conflict with federal laws. 
E) Every state's laws take precedence overfederal law if there is a conflict between them.

Question 19

How are the Texas Constitution and the U.S.Constitution alike?

Accepted Answer

A) Both provide for a strong executive branch. 
B) Both havebeen amended onlya few times. 
C) Both divide governmental functions among three branches. 
D) Neither provides for an elected judiciary. 
E) Neither protects against discrimination based on gender. 
A) Both provide for a strong executive branch. 
B) Both havebeen amended onlya few times. 
C) Both divide governmental functions among three branches. 
D) Neither provides for an elected judiciary. 
E) Neither protects against discrimination based on gender.

Question 20

The provision that powers not explicitly or implicitly ​granted to the national government are reserved to the states can be found in _____ of the U.S.Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) ​the Tenth Amendment 
B) ​the Eighth Amendment 
C) ​the Twelfth Amendment 
D) ​Article I, Section 8 
E) ​Article I, Section 10 
A) ​the Tenth Amendment 
B) ​the Eighth Amendment 
C) ​the Twelfth Amendment 
D) ​Article I, Section 8 
E) ​Article I, Section 10

What does Article VI of the U.S.Constitution providefor incase of a conflict between the U.S.Constitution and a state constitution?

Article 1 of the Texas Constitution contains _____.

Compare and contrast the Texas Constitution with the U.S.Constitution.How are the provisions related to the legislature,the executive branch,and the judiciary similar,and how are they different,in the two documents? What effect have changes in the U.S.Constitution had on the Texas Constitution?

In practice,how has federalism changed over time? Have these changes affected federal-state and federal-state-local relationships? Explain.

Federalism refers to how power can be divided between _____.

Which of these strategies areused by groups to embed their particular policy concerns in the state constitution?

To ensure an organized government,what must a constitutionaccomplish?

Which statement about the initial Reconstruction Constitution of 1869 or the Civil War Constitution of 1861 is not true?

Picket fence federalism is considered the closest variant of whichtype of federalism?

Amendments to the Texas Constitution are successfully proposed by _ and are successfully ratified by _.

What has resulted from everymajor effort to revise or replace the Texas Constitution since 1876?

The legislative article of the Texas Constitution _____.

Which of these was not a provision of the constitution adopted in 1876?

The traditionalistic-individualistic political culture of Texas resulted in a constitution _____.

Vested state interests prefer which of these over the others?

How is picket fence federalism different from cooperative federalism?

Why are state constitutions amended more frequently than the U.S.Constitution?

Which of these would best describe the relationship between state laws and federal laws?

How are the Texas Constitution and the U.S.Constitution alike?

The provision that powers not explicitly or implicitly granted to the national government are reserved to the states can be found in _____ of the U.S.Constitution.

The Context of Texas Politics

Interest Groups

Political Parties

Voting,campaigns,and Elections

The Texas Legislature

The Governor

The Administrative State

The Judiciary

The Substance of Justice

Local Government

The State Economy and the Financing of State Government

Public Policy: People

Public Policy: Resources

Filters

Exam 2: The Constitutional Setting

What does Article VI of the U.S.Constitution providefor incase of a conflict between the U.S.Constitution and a state constitution?

Article 1 of the Texas Constitution contains _____.

Compare and contrast the Texas Constitution with the U.S.Constitution.How are the provisions related to the legislature,the executive branch,and the judiciary similar,and how are they different,in the two documents? What effect have changes in the U.S.Constitution had on the Texas Constitution?

In practice,how has federalism changed over time? Have these changes affected federal-state and federal-state-local relationships? Explain.

​Federalism refers to how power can be divided between _____.

Which of these strategies areused by groups to embed their particular policy concerns in the state constitution?

​To ensure an organized government,what must a constitutionaccomplish?

Which statement about the initial Reconstruction Constitution of 1869 or the Civil War Constitution of 1861 is not true?

​Picket fence federalism is considered the closest variant of whichtype of federalism?

Amendments to the Texas Constitution are successfully proposed by _____ and are successfully ratified by _____.

What has resulted from everymajor effort to revise or replace the Texas Constitution since 1876?​

The legislative article of the Texas Constitution _____.

Which of these was not a provision of the constitution adopted in 1876?

The traditionalistic-individualistic political culture of Texas resulted in a constitution _____.

Vested state interests prefer which of these over the others?

How is picket fence federalism different from cooperative federalism?​

Why are state constitutions amended more frequently than the U.S.Constitution?​

​Which of these would best describe the relationship between state laws and federal laws?

How are the Texas Constitution and the U.S.Constitution alike?

The provision that powers not explicitly or implicitly ​granted to the national government are reserved to the states can be found in _____ of the U.S.Constitution.

The Context of Texas Politics

Interest Groups

Political Parties

Voting,campaigns,and Elections

The Texas Legislature

The Governor

The Administrative State

The Judiciary

The Substance of Justice

Local Government

The State Economy and the Financing of State Government

Public Policy: People

Public Policy: Resources

Filters

Federalism refers to how power can be divided between _____.

To ensure an organized government,what must a constitutionaccomplish?

Picket fence federalism is considered the closest variant of whichtype of federalism?

Amendments to the Texas Constitution are successfully proposed by _ and are successfully ratified by _.

What has resulted from everymajor effort to revise or replace the Texas Constitution since 1876?

How is picket fence federalism different from cooperative federalism?

Why are state constitutions amended more frequently than the U.S.Constitution?

Which of these would best describe the relationship between state laws and federal laws?

The provision that powers not explicitly or implicitly granted to the national government are reserved to the states can be found in _____ of the U.S.Constitution.