State and Local Government Final Exam Review

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes a trustee from a delegate in legislative decision-making?

Trustees represent only rural areas, while delegates represent urban areas.

Trustees are elected by the public, whereas delegates are appointed.

Trustees are members of the executive branch, while delegates are part of the judiciary.

Trustees act according to their own judgment, while delegates follow the wishes of their constituents. (correct)

Which of the following best defines gerrymandering?

The practice of redrawing district boundaries to favor a political party. (correct)

The system of appointing judges to specific courts.

The distribution of legislative seats in proportion to votes received.

The judicial process of reviewing the constitutionality of laws.

What is the primary function of standing committees in a legislative body?

To review and amend proposed legislation. (correct)

To conduct final votes on legislation.

To generate ideas for new policies.

To oversee the executive branch's decisions.

Which statement about judicial selection methods is accurate?

Some methods include elections, appointments, and merit systems, each with pros and cons. Signup and view all the answers

What are the informal powers of a governor?

The ability to influence public opinion and mobilize support. Signup and view all the answers

What is political capital?

The trust and goodwill a politician has with constituents and stakeholders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of intermediate appellate courts?

To review decisions made by lower courts for legal errors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the concept of 'cracking' in redistricting?

Spreading voters of a particular group across multiple districts to minimize representation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem-solving court and why is it necessary?

A court that focuses on rehabilitating offenders rather than punishing them. Signup and view all the answers

Why is gubernatorial appointment power important?

It enables the governor to influence legislative decisions through appointments. Signup and view all the answers

How do the types of judicial selection matter?

They influence the independence of the judiciary and potential political bias. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates determinate sentencing from indeterminate sentencing?

Indeterminate sentencing offers a range of time with potential for parole; determinate is a fixed sentence with no parole. Signup and view all the answers

What role do governors play during disasters or unusual matters?

Governors have the authority to call for federal assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bench trial and why is it used?

A trial conducted by a judge without a jury, often for expediency. Signup and view all the answers

How do state courts differ from federal courts?

State courts are generally more flexible in procedures than federal courts. Signup and view all the answers

What does an indictment involve and what role does a grand jury play?

An indictment is a formal charge, and a grand jury reviews evidence to determine if there is enough for trial. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

State and Local Government Final Exam Study Guide

Exam Scope: The exam will cover chapters 7, 8, and 9 of the main textbook, supplemental readings, and lectures.
Study Resources: This guide is a starting point for review—not an exhaustive list.
Clarifications and Assistance: If material is unclear, seek clarification from the instructor.

Legislative Branch

Legislative Professionalism: Definition and comparison to citizen and hybrid legislatures.
Trustee vs. Delegate: Differences in representative models.
Judicial Selection Methods: Advantages and disadvantages of specific approaches.
Voting Cues: Definition and the need for them, including examples.
Term Limits: Review advantages and disadvantages.
Lawmaker Background: Common professions of state lawmakers.
Districts: Differentiate single-member and multi-member districts; the concepts of cracking and packing.
Redistricting Cases: Important court cases related to redistricting and their significance.
Gerrymandering & Malapportionment: Definitions and explanations.
Legislative Powers: Formal and informal powers of state legislatures.
Executive Orders: Definition and functions in legislative context.
**Political Capital:**Definition and significance within legislative processes.
Street-Level Bureaucrats: Explanation of their role in policymaking, and the concepts of urban party machines.
Legislative Vetoes: Types of vetoes, including explanations and distinctions
Legislative Representation: Historical and modern-day efforts to improve representation of minorities in state legislatures

Executive Branch

Gubernatorial Elections: Characteristics of these elections.
Governor's Roles: The three primary jobs of a governor, including explanations for each.
Governor's Powers: Formal and informal powers of the governor.
"Good-Time Charlie," going public, bully pulpit: Related concepts relating to a governor's influence.
New Judicial Federalism: Explanation of the concept.
Criminal vs. Civil Law: Distinctions in legal spheres.
State Court Structure: General structure and functions of trial and appellate courts, including procedural methods.

Judicial Branch

State Courts Structure: Specific function of state trial courts.
Appellate Procedures: Explanation of state appellate courts based on appeal reasons.
Judicial Selection Methods: Comparison of different approaches.
Role of Lawmakers in Courts: Specific methods of impacting court structure.
Courts of Limited vs. General Jurisdiction: Distinctions between types of courts.
Impact of Cases: The significance of important court cases such as League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, Reynolds v. Sims, and Baker v. Carr.
Policymaking via Courts: The different ways in which courts influence policy-making.
Judicial Reforms: Recent changes in judicial practices and the reasons behind them.

State Legislatures and Governors

Legislative Committees: The role of standing and conference committees in legislative procedures, their influence and methods for efficiently processing legislation, and how they can help overcome shared decision-making problems.
Legislative Leadership: Methods of party leaders influencing legislation.
Pork-barrel Politics: Definition and examples.
Legislative Oversight: The legislature's role in overseeing the executive branch.
Urban Machine Decline: Factors leading to the decline of urban political machines and the emergence of reforms.
Budgeting Role of Legislations and Governors: How legislatures and governors manage and contribute to budgeting processes.
Appointment vs. Election: Analysis of the differing implications between appointed and elected political leaders within different branches of government.
Problem-Solving Courts: Purpose and implementation.
Determinate vs. Indeterminate Sentencing: Definitions and comparisons.

Elections and Policies

Judicial Selection: Discussion on types and different approaches in judicial selection and the role/influence of politics in each.
Representation: Analysis of representation of women and minorities in state legislatures and governorships.
State Media's Role: The way media coverage shapes perceptions of state leaders and legislators.
Disaster/Emergency Response: The role of governors in dealing with natural disasters or other emergencies.
Nebraska State Legislature: Distinguishing features of the state legislature.
Specific Case Studies: Details about the significance of specific court cases like League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, Reynolds v. Sims, and Baker v. Carr is necessary for the exam.

Court Procedures and Structures

Judicial Procedures: Describing how interested parties seek court intervention to influence courts.
State vs. Federal Courts: Distinguishing differences between state and federal court systems.
State Election Processes: Explaining how these compare with other elections and how they are structured.

Additional Information

Political Systems in States: How state governments contribute to national political decisions.
Case Studies: Details on select cases and how they illustrate relevant concepts for the exam.

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Description

This study guide is designed to help you prepare for the final exam in State and Local Government. Focused on chapters 7, 8, and 9, it covers essential topics such as legislative professionalism, representative models, and redistricting cases. Use this guide as a starting point for your review and clarification of key concepts.