Unit Exam 2 – Texas Government - Lizbeth G
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Eastfield College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
2306
Subject
Political Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by SuperHumanRookMaster1493
Lizbeth Gomez (3459612)
GOVT 2306-41312
Dr. Solomon Lemma
19 November 2023
Unit Exam 2 - 11-19-2023 – Texas Government – Unit Exam Questions
Part I – Multiple Choice (4 Grade Points Each = 28 Total) 1. Which of the following is true: A) Cities in Texas tend to be more Democratic than Republican B) Cities in Texas are dominated by third parties and Independents C) Rural areas in Texas tend to be more Republican than Democratic D) Suburbs in Texas tend to contain pockets of both Democrats than Republicans E) All F) None of the above is true 2. African American Texans: A) Tend to vote more Democratic than Republican B) Are mostly members of third parties C) Are mostly Independents D) Are a large and reliable part of the Republican base E) None of the above is true F) All 3. African American Texans: A) Are the fastest growing minority community B) Are evenly split between Democrats and Republicans as compared to others C) Tend to be excluded from participation more than others due to voter restrictions D) Are concentrated in cities and the Eastern coastal plains of the state E) C and D F) All
4. Hispanics in Texas A) Are the fastest growing minority community B) Have often the lowest voter turnout as compared to other communities C) Have the largest number of non-citizens ineligible to vote in the state D) Are evenly split between Democrats and Republicans as compared to others E) All F) None of the above is true 5. The process in which political parties become more distant and antagonistic with each other due to ideological and demographic factors is called: A) Partisan convergence B) Partisan cooperation C) Partisan polarization D) Partisan partnership E) Partisan disequilibrium F) None of the above is true 6. The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of the: A) The Texas treasury B) The Texas Governor’s cabinet C) The Texas senate D) The Texas legislature E) The Texas judiciary F) None of the above is true 7. The Railroad Commission of Texas: A) Formulates the state’s budget B) Is responsible for the safety of railroads in the state C) Issues bonds to support the state’s transportation needs
D) Regulates the fracking industry in the state E) Approves mergers of railroads in the state F) All of the above are true Part II – Essay Type. Answer Each of the following Questions 1. Discuss the meaning of the term “political party” in general. Then outline the bases of legitimacy and legality of political parties, and finally compare and contrast political parties with other political organizations in the context of the US in particular with the support of examples (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). A political party is an organized group of people who have similar political beliefs and goals and who work to change laws and gain representation in elected positions. Political parties' legitimacy in the US is based on their ability to use democratic processes to represent a variety of interests. Legitimate parties maintain democratic principles, inclusive decision-making procedures, and internal transparency. Adherence to electoral laws, registration requirements, and campaign funding regulations serve to guarantee legality.
Unlike interest groups or other political organizations, political parties like the Democratic and Republican parties have a specific function in American politics. Interest organizations, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Sierra Club, focus on policy areas, whereas parties have a broad focus on a variety of issues. Political parties nominate candidates for public office and for positions of administration, so they are closely involved in the electoral process. On the other hand, through advocacy, campaigns, and public opinion formation, interest groups indirectly affect policy.
To sum things up, political parties in the United States are essential to democratic systems because they offer an opportunity for citizen representation, involvement, and government. Their legality is guaranteed by compliance with election regulations, and their legitimacy depends on their capacity to fairly and inclusively represent a broad spectrum of objectives. Parties differ from other political organizations in that they are directly involved in electoral politics and have complete platforms, as opposed to interest groups, which are more narrowly focused and issue-specific in their work.
2. Outline the evolution of the party system in Texas highlighting important dates, episodes, and personalities in the process (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). One of the significant factors in Texas politics has been the development of the party system. Texas's historical domination of Democrats is reflective of its Southern heritage. Midway through the 20th century, however, the party system experienced a dramatic change. As conservative Democrats started to align with the Republican Party because to their dissatisfaction with national party policies on social and civil rights issues, thus the Democratic supremacy faced difficulties.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
The election of Republican John Tower to the U.S. Senate in 1961—the first Texas Republican to hold the office since Reconstruction is one of the turning points in this process. With the election of Republican Bill Clements as Texas's first GOP governor in the 20th century in 1978, the Republican Party's advance gathered momentum. This change indicated the growing power of Republicans, particularly in statewide positions.
Personalities like Ann Richards and George W. Bush had a significant impact on this change. From 1991 to 1995, Democratic leader Ed Richards led Texas as governor, bringing in a brief period of Democratic revival.
On the other hand, George W. Bush's successful run for governor in the middle of the 1990s laid the groundwork for a Republican comeback that resulted in his election to the president
and established the Republican Party's dominance in Texas.
Texas is known as a Republican stronghold today, with Republicans controlling most statewide positions and having an overwhelming majority in the state legislature. Texas's changing party system is reflective of a larger national trend in which Southern states are moving from Democratic supremacy to Republican domination, with Texas leading the way in this transformation.
3. Discuss the type of elections held in Texas, the institutional provisions tasked with organizing and managing elections, and the legal framework governing elections in the state (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). From local to statewide elections, Texas has a wide range of elections. The Texas Election Code,
which is administered by the Secretary of State, contains the guidelines for planning and conducting elections. General elections, primary elections, and local elections are held to fill posts such as trustees of school boards and members of city councils. In Texas, elections are governed by a complicated legal system. To guarantee equal treatment for minority groups, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 intended to end discriminatory voting practices. Also, Texas has been involved in gerrymandering lawsuits, which has led to legal issues over redistricting to guarantee fair political representation.
The Secretary of State of Texas is a key figure in election management; they manage voter registration, lead voter education programs, and work with county officials. Counties handle early voting, polling locations, and vote counting.
4. Elaborate how election laws affect voter turnouts among different social or demographic communities in Texas with the support of as many examples as possible (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). Texas's election regulations have a substantial impact on voter turnout, which has issues for many social and demographic groups. Restrictions on mail-in voting, shorter early voting windows, and voter ID laws disproportionately impact people of color.
For example, voter ID laws require certain types of identification, which may exclude people who don't have easy access to them. Early voting period reductions may have an impact on those with jobs who find it difficult to vote on election day. Restrictions on mail-in voting may also negatively
influence the elderly or disabled who depend on this form of voting.
Debates about these laws have taken place in Texas in recent years; Senate Bill 7's legal challenges serve as one example. While those opposed point out that these restrictions have the potential to reduce voter turnout among minority and low-income groups, supporters argue that they improve election security.
To create a fair and inclusive electoral system, it is important to understand how election regulations affect voter turnout. Future election outcomes in Texas will be significantly influenced by the continuous discussion and close examination of the law as the state works through these difficulties.
5. Outline step by step the process through which a law is made by the legislative branch in Texas (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). The House of Representatives and the Senate, the two houses of the state legislature, are involved in the multi-step legislative process in Texas. The bill's introduction, which can come from either chamber, starts the process. The measure is examined by a committee, which considers its strengths and possible effects.
The bill moves on to the full chamber for consideration if it passes committee approval. Legislators discuss the bill, make changes, and then cast their votes to approve it. The procedure is repeated in the opposite chamber if the bill is passed. A conference committee is required to settle any inconsistencies between the versions.
The bill reaches the governor's desk when both chambers have approved the final version. It may be vetoed by the governor, signed into law, or allowed to pass without a signature. The legislature
has the power to override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
Through this procedure, future laws are sure to be thoroughly examined and consider feedback from a variety of sources before being included into Texas's legal system.
6. Discuss the terms of office and the powers and limits of the powers of the Texas governor with the support of examples (400 Words Maximum [10 Grade Points]). Although the Texas governor has broad executive authority, the state constitution places restrictions on their actions. There are no term limitations for the governor's four-year term. They have the authority to organize extra sessions of the legislature, veto or approve legislation, and appoint people to various state bodies and commissions.
However, Texas' multiple executive branches limit the governor's power. The governor of Texas
shares authority with other independently elected officials, including the lieutenant governor,
attorney general, and other executive officers, in contrast to the federal government, whose executive officers are appointed. The governor's authority decreases by these plural
executives.
For example, the Senate is led by the lieutenant governor, who has an impact on the legislative
process. The comptroller monitors the state's finances independently, while the attorney general serves as the main legal officer of the state. By dividing up the responsibilities, this system of checks and balances keeps any one executive from having too much influence.
7. The Executive Branch of the Texas government is different from the federal and most other state executive organs because Texas’ is a plural executive. Do you agree with this statement? Why, or why not? Detail the establishment, composition, operation, accountability, and removal of the plural executive in the context of the Texas (500 Words Maximum [12 Grade Points]).
Yes, I agree with the statement because Texas is different from many other states and the federal government, the Executive Branch of Texas, is a plural executive. Instead of concentrating executive functions in one executive office, this model divides them among separately elected authorities.
The Texas constitution is the source of the state's establishment of its plural executive branch. The framers wanted to reduce the risks connected with concentrated executive power, motivated by past interactions with Mexican and federal authorities. Their purposeful decision to split authority across elected officials was an institutional reaction to past setbacks and demonstrated their greater dedication to a decentralized system of government.
Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of the General Land Office, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, and Lieutenant Governor make up the plural executive. This unique system indicates a commitment to a more decentralized approach to governance, with each official freely elected by people.
Operationally, the plural executive assigned different authorities and responsibilities to each elected official, building a system of checks and balances. The governor is the chief executive officer and commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, while the comptroller is in charge of the state's finances. This distribution tries to limit the consolidation of authority in one person, while also encouraging collegial decision-making and reducing the possibility of executive abuse. A fundamental component of the plural executive system is direct responsibility to the people who vote. To improve responsiveness to the people of Texas, the elected officials are required to answer the voters for their decisions and actions. By establishing a direct line of communication between elected officials and the public, democratic principles are upheld and those in positions of authority are held directly accountable for their actions.
Removal of officials from the plural executive occurs mainly through the electoral process. Voters have the power to voice their dissatisfaction by refusing to re-elect an official in following
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
elections.
Another form of removal is impeachment, which needs strong legislative support from the Texas House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority vote in the Texas Senate. This mix of electoral and legislative institutions emphasizes accountability while preserving due process in the face of unacceptable misbehavior.