Ch. 6 The Plural Executive and Bureaucracy

Questions and Answers

What is a plural executive?

A branch that has no elected officials.

An executive branch led by a single person.

An executive branch divided among several elected officeholders. (correct)

An executive branch that only includes appointed officials.

Who is the lieutenant governor?

The presiding officer of the Texas Senate who assumes the duties of the governor when needed.

What is the role of the attorney general?

Chief legal advisory for the state representing it in courts.

What does the Comptroller of Public Accounts do?

Collects fees and taxes, invests state funds, estimates revenue. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Commissioner of the General Land Office?

Administers state-owned lands and controls the Permanent School Fund. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Permanent School Fund?

A fund set aside to finance education in Texas. Signup and view all the answers

What are the responsibilities of the Secretary of State?

Business licensing, regulation, and election supervision. Signup and view all the answers

What is bureaucracy?

A method of organizing large public or private organizations. Signup and view all the answers

What is an elected board?

A directly elected board that oversees a specific department. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Appointed Regulatory Commission?

An agency whose members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What are Sunshine laws?

Laws designed to promote government transparency. Signup and view all the answers

What is a merit-based civil service system?

A system where government jobs are given based on qualifications and job performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sunset review process?

A formal assessment of the effectiveness of statutory boards and agencies. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plural Executive and Key Offices in Texas

Plural Executive: Functions of the executive branch in Texas are distributed among multiple elected officials instead of concentrating power in the governor.
Lieutenant Governor: Presiding officer of the Texas Senate, directly elected by voters. Steps in as governor if the current governor is unavailable due to absence, death, resignation, or impeachment.
Attorney General: Primary legal advisor for Texas, representing the state in legal proceedings and providing advisory opinions to the governor and legislature.
Comptroller of Public Accounts: Manages collection of taxes and fees, oversees state funds, provides revenue estimates, and handles payments for state purchases.
Commissioner of the General Land Office: Manages state-owned lands, oversees the Permanent School Fund, and controls leases for mineral and resource development; often referred to as the land commissioner.
Permanent School Fund: A large fund used to finance educational initiatives in Texas, serving as the largest source of investment income for the state.
Secretary of State: Responsible for business licensing, election administration, and serving as the chief protocol officer for Texas.

Bureaucracy and Governance Structure

Bureaucracy: Organizes large public and private entities through a hierarchical structure, division of labor, established procedures, and merit-based advancement.
Elected Board: Body elected by the public, such as the Railroad Commission of Texas, which supervises a specific governmental department.
Appointed Regulatory Commission: State agencies with members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate; responsible for oversight of specific state government departments.

Transparency and Accountability Measures

Sunshine Laws: Legal provisions aimed at increasing government transparency and making operations more accessible to the public.
Merit-Based Civil Service System: Employment mechanism where government jobs are awarded based on qualifications; promotions and raises depend on performance.
Sunset Review Process: Formal evaluation method assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of statutory boards, commissions, and state agencies.

Description

This quiz focuses on the concepts of the plural executive and the role of the lieutenant governor in Texas. It includes key definitions that highlight the division of executive powers among elected officials. Perfect for students studying Texas government.