POLS 207 State and Local Government Review Sheet Exam 3 Fall 2024 PDF

POLS 207 State and Local Government Review Sheet – Exam 3 This is a list of general topics you will need to know to do well on the third exam. 1) Know the executive positions in Texas - Governor - Lieutenant Governor...

POLS 207 State and Local Government Review Sheet – Exam 3 This is a list of general topics you will need to know to do well on the third exam. 1) Know the executive positions in Texas - Governor - Lieutenant Governor o Most Powerful Powerful Position in Texas, Presiding officer of the Senate (like the VP of the US) - Attorney General o Involved in civil cases, Chief Law Enforcement officer and Legal Counsel - Treasurers o Collection of money (Revenue) - Comptroller of Public Accounts o Distributes said money - Auditors o Makes sure money is spent in accordance with the budget - Secretary of State o Appointed by the Governor, Chief Custodian and Elections officer - Agriculture Commissioner o Responsible for all weights and measures across the state - Railroad Commission o Regulated Oil and Natural Gas in the state - Land Commissioner o Takes care of Texas’s public lands 2) Know the different powers of the governor in Texas - Chief Legislator o Initiates Statewide Legislative Programs o Initiates Public Policy decisions by sending bills to the legislature o Can call special sessions - Ceremonial Head of State o Face of the State (not head of gov) o Handles day to day operations in the the state government - Very Limited due to Davis Administration 3) Know the different types of vetoes. - Pocket Veto o Governor doesn’t sign a bill, so it dies in legislative session - Veto - Line-Item Veto o Reject specific Lines within a bill 4) What is the role of governors in the budget process? - Create a draft of state’s general appropriations bill, which must be confirmed by the Senate 5) What are executive orders? - A rule or order issued by the President/Governor that has the force of a law given to the executive branch (the branch that enforces laws) 6) Know the different executive positions across the states (lieutenant governor, attorney general, etc.) - See number 1 7) Why is the post-adjournment veto so powerful? - Because the legislature cannot do anything until they are in session again 8) Know the budget process in Texas - Legislature meets once every 2 years and writes a 2 year budget - Agencies are forced to project budgetary needs without clear knowledge of the problems to be faced, and maintain a balanced budget 9) What is the No Child Left Behind Act? - Established standardized testing to ensure all children within the state were receiving the same education no matter their welfare demographic 10) What is gross domestic product? - The sum of all the goods and services produced in a year 11) What are progressive taxes? - As income increases, Tax Burden (%) Goes up 12) What are regressive taxes? - As income increases, Tax Burden (%) Goes Down 13) What are the different sources of tax revenue for both state and local governments? - States: Income, Sales, Excise, Corporate taxes - Local: Property Taxes 14) Why do states look to keep their corporate taxes low? - Having high corporate taxes may cause businesses to relocate, therefore lowering the revenue the state could make 15) Which taxes are considered regressive? - Because most of the tax burden falls more heavily on low-income groups, rather than the wealthy 16) What are excise taxes? - Taxes on Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Gas 17) What is meant by tax burden? - Taxes paid as a percentage of personal income imposed on citizens 18) Which level of government is affected the most by limitations on taxation? - Local Government 19) How do most Americans feel about taxes? - Most feel that taxes are way too high and unfair 20) What are the merits and spoils systems? - Merit System: Hiring government employees based of their ability to do the Job - Spoils System: Hiring government employees based on personal relationships and network building 21) What is outsourcing? - Obtaining a good or a service from an outside or foreign supplier 22) Know the different types of bonds - General Obligation Bonds o Paid back through the general obligation fund - Revenue Bonds o Paid back through the revenue generated by either project or actions done 23) How is academic performance measured? - Educational Attainment (# of years of school completed) and Dropout rate 24) What are magnet schools? - Schools emphasizing instruction in particular areas to improve quality and attract students 25) What are charter schools? - School operated with public funds by private community groups under a charter from public school districts or other granting agency. 26) What are vouchers? - A government funded voucher that is redeemed for tuition fees at a school other than the public school that a student could attend free 27) When can money be given to religious educational institutions? - The Supreme Court is willing to permit some forms of aid to parochial schoolchildren that indirectly aid religion, so long as this is not directly used for the teaching of religion. 28) How do states ensure local compliance with state educational policy? - Bureaucratic Oversight & Financial control through state allocation of funds to local school districts 29) What body typically controls education within a state? - State boards of education: control everything and are mostly elected by governors but voted by the people 30) Where do most schools get their revenue from? - The state and federal governments, private funding, property taxes, and bonds that are issued to pay for special projects 31) What do school superintendents do? - Manages public schools - Sets the agenda - Makes policy recommendations - Implements board decisions 32) Why is zoning important? - They create barriers to expanding high-quality charter schools, exacerbate socioeconomic segregation, and limit low-income families school choices 33) Who is responsibility for public welfare? - Federal Government 34) What is the payroll tax? - A tax levied on and withheld from employee’s wages 35) What has been the effect of Social Security? - Social Security is largely responsible for the elderly's "victory" in the war against poverty. However, this is a self-sabotaging program. When established there were 42 working people for every retired person. There are now 2 working people for every retired person. 36) What changes occurred with the introduction of the TANF program? - Federal aid was given to poor families to assist them. Could only get assistance for 2 years in a row and only 5 years without a job which reduced the # of people on welfare 37) What is Medicare? - Provides healthcare for elderly over 65, funded by payroll taxes 38) Which public assistance program do states spend the most on? - Medicaid (45%) and Education (55%)