Texas Government
GOVT. 2306 - Web

UNIT OBJECTIVES

The unit objectives provide you with the key points, terms, and information that you will be tested over.   These are provided as a study guide for what you need to know from each unit for the exams.   Exam questions are drawn from these items.  Concentrate on studying and learning the answers to these objective and you will be well prepared for each exam.  The answers to these items can be found in your textbook readings, the lecture notes posted on the course web page, and information learned from the four discussion questions.

 

 

 

UNIT 1

TEXAS CULTURAL, HISTORICAL
& POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Define and explain the significance of the following:

a. Sam Houston
b. E.J. Davis
c. James Hogg
d. James Ferguson
e. John Tower
f. William Clements
g. Ann Richards
h. George W. Bush
i. Sharpstown ScandaL

2. Explain why Texas was a one party state for most of its history and why that was "illogical."

3. Identify and discuss the major political figures and key events in the political and governmental development of Texas from the 1960s through the 1990s.

4. How has Texas changed-politically, socially, and economically-since World War II?

5. Discuss the changing Texas population and the effects on and implications for Texas government and politics.

6. Discuss the historical changes, events, and people that have changed Texas from a one-party Democratic state to a two party state.

7.  Discuss the influence of the Old South and the Frontier Experience on the shaping of the political culture of Texas. (This information is in the unit 1 Lecture notes--NOT the textbook.)


Texbook Readings

Maxwell and Crain, chapter 1 & end of chapter essay.

 

UNIT 2

THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION

1. Explain the type of state government , governor, legislature, and court system that the 1876 Constitution establishes.  

2.  Discuss the 1869 Reconstruction Constitution and how it influenced the state constitution Texas has today.

3.  Discuss the amendment procedure to the Texas constitution.

4.  Evaluate the positive and negative aspects of the 1876 Texas Constitution.

 

Textbook Readings

Maxwell and Crain, chapter 2 & end of chapter essay.

UNIT 3

VOTING AND ELECTIONS

1.  Discuss the various reasons and contributing factors for low voter turnout in Texas.

2.  Explain why Texas was called one of the states with the most restrictive voting requirements.  How and why were these restrictions on voting changed?

3.  Discuss the Texas-type primary and compare it to the open and closed primaries.

4.  Explain "crossover voting" and why it has been so common in Texas.

5.  Explain the type of ballot construction used in Texas.

6.  Explain how independent or third party candidates get on the general election ballot.

7.  Discuss the requirements and rules regarding absentee and early voting in Texas.

TEXTBOOK READINGS

Maxwell & Crain, chapter 3 & end of chapter essay.

UNIT 4

POLITICAL PARTIES

         

1.      Define a political party and explain its basic function.

2.      Analyze the conservative and liberal factions within the Democratic Party and trace the historical struggles of these factions

3. Compare and contrast liberals and conservatives  on their philosophy on government and their issue stands on the major issues of today

4.      Explain the reasons for the rebirth and recent extraordinary electoral success of the Republican Party in Texas & the two factions in the Texas Republican Party.  (Ch. 4 & end of essay article “Republican Rule: The Texas Election of 2002”  

5.      Discuss the reasons for the recent efforts of the Republican Party to attract Hispanic voters.

6.      Discuss campaign tactics commonly used in Texas elections.

7.      Discuss realignment and the effects of the emergence of two-partyism in Texas

8.      Explain the five past effects of the low level of party competition in Texas. (L)

 
Textbook Readings

Maxwell and Crain, chapter 4 & end of chapter essay.

UNIT 5

 INTEREST GROUPS

1.      Define and interest group and explain how it differs from a political party.

2.      Describe the major political interest groups in Texas and how that effects government and politics in Texas. (Ch. 5 & end of chapter essay “Big Money in a Big State: Campaign Financing & Representative Democracy in Texas.”)

3.      Discuss the methods/techniques that interest groups use to influence government. (L & T)

4.      Explain how the political environmental factors increase the strength of interest groups in Texas.   (L & T)

5.      Explain the provisions of the new Texas lobby regulation law.

 
Textbook Readings

Maxwell and Crain, chapter 5 & end of chapter essay.

TEXAS INTEREST GROUPS:
1. Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce - An Association representing business interests and promoting economic development, tourism and conventions.

2. Texas Municipal League - An organization representing municipal (city) governments in Texas.

3. Texas State Teacher's Association - The leading organization representing public school teachers in Texas.

4. Texas Trial Lawyers Association - The professional association representing trial lawyers in Texas.

5. Texas Medical Association - The professional association representing Texas physicians.

6. Texas Association of School Boards - The association representing Texas school board members.

 

UNIT 6

THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

1.      Define and explain the significance of the following:

a.     Gerrymandering (ch.6)  
b.     one person-one vote rule (L)
c.      seniority system (ch.7 & 8)
d.     pigeonhole (ch.7)  
e.     bureaucratic oversight (ch.7)
f.  calendar (ch.7 & 8)  
g.  filibuster (ch.7)  
h. conference committee (ch.7 & 8) 
i.  Legislative Budget Board (LBB) (ch.7 & 8) 
j. Sunset Advisory Commission (ch.7 & 8)  
k. the “3 s’s”

2.      Discuss the “informal qualifications” to get elected to the Texas Legislature. (ch.7)

3.      Discuss the powers and duties of the presiding officers of the House and Senate and the effects on the Texas legislative process. (ch.7 & 8)

4.      Discuss the compensation and limits on the length of the Texas legislative session and the effects on the Texas legislative process. (ch.7)

5.      Explain the following “peculiar” tactics in the Texas Legislature: filibuster rules, the blocking bill, and the tagging of a bill. (ch.8)

6.      Discuss the influence of the Texas governor in the Texas legislative process. (ch.8)

7.      Explain how the Texas Legislature is ranked in comparison to the other 49 state legislatures and the factors  contributing to the low ranking. (L)

   
Textbook Readings

Maxwell & Crain, ch. 6 & 7 & end of chapter essays

UNIT 7

THE TEXAS GOVERNOR

1.      Define and explain the significance of the following:

a.  veto
b.  item veto
c.  State of the state message  
d.  special session power

2.      Discuss the “informal qualifications” to be elected governor.

3.      Explain the governor’s compensation and tenure. 

4.      Compare and contrast the governor’s executive powers, legislative powers, judicial powers,  and informal powers and draw conclusions as to the governor’s power and effectiveness.  (L & T)

5.      Explain how the Texas governor is ranked in comparison to the other 49 state governors and the factors contributing to the low ranking. (L)

6.      Explain the reasons the Texas governorship was created so weak.  (T & L)

Textbook Readings

Maxwell & Crain, ch. 8 & end of chapter essay

UNIT 8

THE TEXAS JUDICIARY

1.      Define and explain the significance of the following:

a.      civil law
b.      criminal law 
c.      original jurisdiction
d.      appellate jurisdiction
e.      grand jury 
f.  petit jury  
g.  advisory opinion  
h.  court of record  
i.  Missouri Plan  
j. dual court system (L)
k.  plea bargaining

2.      Describe the structure of the Texas court system form the local courts up to the Supreme Court.

3.      Explain how judges are selected in Texas and the effects on the judicial process.

4.      Discuss the five methods of judge selection and why the Missouri Plan is considered the best of the five. (T & L)

5.      Explain how judges in Texas courts may be removed or disciplined.

6.  Explain the low qualifications for Texas judges, discussing which judges that applies to. 

Textbook Readings

Maxwell & Crain, ch.10 & end of chapter essay

 

UNIT 9

TAXING AND BUDGETING

1.      Define and explain the significance of the following:

a.  progressive tax
b.  regressive tax  
c.  general obligation bonds 
d.  inelastic tax system (L) 
e.  revenue bonds  
f.  intergovernmental transfers  
g.  regulatory (“sin”) taxes  
h.  ad valorem taxes
i.  Comptroller-role & importance of

2.      Give examples of the major revenue-producing national, state, and local taxes.

3.      Explain the types of taxes that are based upon regulation, benefits received, and the ability to pay.

4.      Discuss who pays taxes in Texas and the politics of who pays and how much.

5.      Explain the effects of Texas relying on a regressive and inelastic tax system. (T & L)

6.      Discuss the pros and cons of the Texas state lottery. (T & L)

7.      What are the options in reforming the Texas tax structure? (T & L)

Textbook Readings

Maxwell & Crain, c h.12 & end of chapter essay

UNIT 10

SPENDING AND SERVICES

1.      Define and explain the significance of the following:

a.  Medicaid
b.  T.A.N.F.
c.  TEA  
d.  school vouchers
e.  Edgewood v. Kirby

2.      Explain the Texas Constitution’s restrictions on state spending. (L)

3.      Identify the major areas of spending on state services in Texas.

4.      Describe the system of public school funding in Texas.

5.      Discuss the major areas of educational reform undertaken in Texas.

6.      Discuss the administration and politics of higher education in Texas.

7.      Explain the major health and public welfare programs in Texas.

8.      Discuss the politics of highways and public transportation in Texas.

9.  Discuss policies and spending in criminal justice in Texas. (in lecture notes, not textbook)

Textbook Readings

Maxwell & Crain, ch.13 & end of chapter essay.

UNIT 11

 LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. Define and explain the significance of the following:

a. general law city
b. home rule city
c. commissioners' court
d. special districts
e. annexation
f. ETJ - extra territorial jurisdiction
g. county clerk
h. sheriff

2. Discuss the advantages of becoming a home rule city.

3. Compare and contrast the four types of city government: council-manager, strong mayor council, weak mayor council, and commission form.

4. Compare and contrast the two methods of electing city councils-the at-large and single member district methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

5. Discuss the sources of revenue and major expenditures for city governments.

6. Discuss the major functions of county government

7. Discuss the structure and organization of county government

8. Discuss the sources of revenue and major expenditures for counties.

9. Discuss the major criticisms and problems of county government in Texas.


Textbook Readings

Maxwell and Crain, chapter 14

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