Question 1

The Texas governor has many formal powers, making him or her one of the United States' strongest chief executives.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?

Accepted Answer

A)  estimating tax revenues for the legislature 
B)  overseeing the state police and the Texas Rangers 
C)  enforcing all state land-use and takings laws 
D)  regulating the oil industry in the state 
E)  certifying election results in the state 
A)  estimating tax revenues for the legislature 
B)  overseeing the state police and the Texas Rangers 
C)  enforcing all state land-use and takings laws 
D)  regulating the oil industry in the state 
E)  certifying election results in the state

Question 3

In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?

Accepted Answer

A)  the secretary of state 
B)  the lieutenant governor 
C)  the Speaker of the state House of Representatives 
D)  the comptroller of public accounts 
E)  a temporary replacement appointed by the lieutenant governor 
A)  the secretary of state 
B)  the lieutenant governor 
C)  the Speaker of the state House of Representatives 
D)  the comptroller of public accounts 
E)  a temporary replacement appointed by the lieutenant governor

Question 4

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)  the Texas Rangers. 
B)  drivers' licensing. 
C)  animal and insect control. 
D)  motor vehicle inspections. 
E)  truck weighing stations. 
A)  the Texas Rangers. 
B)  drivers' licensing. 
C)  animal and insect control. 
D)  motor vehicle inspections. 
E)  truck weighing stations.

Question 5

In Texas, what is the primary effect of a plural executive?

Accepted Answer

A)  It dilutes the power of the governor and fragments the executive branch. 
B)  It grants the governor additional powers, since it makes for a powerful executive branch. 
C)  It makes the executive branch less accountable to the voters. 
D)  It leads to excessive corruption within the executive branch. 
E)  It puts too much power in the hands of a small group of officials. 
A)  It dilutes the power of the governor and fragments the executive branch. 
B)  It grants the governor additional powers, since it makes for a powerful executive branch. 
C)  It makes the executive branch less accountable to the voters. 
D)  It leads to excessive corruption within the executive branch. 
E)  It puts too much power in the hands of a small group of officials.

Question 6

George W. Bush was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?

Accepted Answer

A)  The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster. 
B)  The governor can use federal troops stationed in camps within Texas. 
C)  The governor receives a National Guard pension when he or she retires. 
D)  The governor automatically possesses the rank of general in the U.S. Armed Forces. 
E)  The governor can call in federal troops to assist the state if the governor deems it necessary. 
A)  The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster. 
B)  The governor can use federal troops stationed in camps within Texas. 
C)  The governor receives a National Guard pension when he or she retires. 
D)  The governor automatically possesses the rank of general in the U.S. Armed Forces. 
E)  The governor can call in federal troops to assist the state if the governor deems it necessary.

Question 8

What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?

Accepted Answer

A)  to oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy 
B)  to handle elections and voter registration 
C)  to collect child-support payments 
D)  to coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government 
E)  to oversee the state's economic interactions with other states 
A)  to oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy 
B)  to handle elections and voter registration 
C)  to collect child-support payments 
D)  to coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government 
E)  to oversee the state's economic interactions with other states

Question 9

Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?

Accepted Answer

A)  enforcing civil rights laws 
B)  investigating complaints about local police behavior 
C)  collecting child-support payments 
D)  defending state laws in federal court 
E)  providing advisory opinions to state agencies 
A)  enforcing civil rights laws 
B)  investigating complaints about local police behavior 
C)  collecting child-support payments 
D)  defending state laws in federal court 
E)  providing advisory opinions to state agencies

Question 10

What is the plural executive? Describe the offices that constitute the plural executive in Texas. How does this compare with the executive branch of government under the U.S. Constitution? What are the political principles behind the creation of the plural executive?

Accepted Answer

The plural executive refers to a system

Question 11

The governor of Texas currently serves a two-year term in office.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed. 
B)  It administers state programs for the elderly. 
C)  It oversees the retirement of state bureaucratic workers. 
D)  It runs the Texas Chamber of Commerce. 
E)  It operates all state retirement homes. 
A)  It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed. 
B)  It administers state programs for the elderly. 
C)  It oversees the retirement of state bureaucratic workers. 
D)  It runs the Texas Chamber of Commerce. 
E)  It operates all state retirement homes.

Question 13

Which state office was eliminated in 1996?

Accepted Answer

A)  attorney general 
B)  animal commissioner 
C)  state treasurer 
D)  sheriff 
E)  roads and highways commissioner 
A)  attorney general 
B)  animal commissioner 
C)  state treasurer 
D)  sheriff 
E)  roads and highways commissioner

Question 14

Which of the following about the lieutenant governor in Texas is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

A)  The lieutenant governor is a full member of the Texas Senate. 
B)  The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate. 
C)  The lieutenant governor is elected in a statewide election. 
D)  The lieutenant governor's powers are primarily legislative, not executive. 
E)  The lieutenant governor is first in line for succession of the governor. 
A)  The lieutenant governor is a full member of the Texas Senate. 
B)  The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate. 
C)  The lieutenant governor is elected in a statewide election. 
D)  The lieutenant governor's powers are primarily legislative, not executive. 
E)  The lieutenant governor is first in line for succession of the governor.

Exam 24: The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas governor has many formal powers, making him or her one of the United States' strongest chief executives.

In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?

In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for all of the following except

In Texas, what is the primary effect of a plural executive?

George W. Bush was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction.

Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?

What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?

Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?

What is the plural executive? Describe the offices that constitute the plural executive in Texas. How does this compare with the executive branch of government under the U.S. Constitution? What are the political principles behind the creation of the plural executive?

The governor of Texas currently serves a two-year term in office.

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

Which state office was eliminated in 1996?

Which of the following about the lieutenant governor in Texas is incorrect?

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