GOVT 2306-Chapter 8-Lehmann

25 July 2022
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question
Bob Bullock said that which office in Texas held the most power?
answer
Lieutenant Governor
question
How come so many Texas governors have been ineffective?
answer
When the constitution was written in 1876, they made it a point to make sure that the governor had as little power as possible because pasted governors had been so corrupt.
question
What is the plural executive?
answer
An executive branch in which power is fragmented because the election of statewide officeholders is independent of the election of governor.
question
Is our governorship designed to be one of the strongest or weakest in the nation? Why is this?
answer
WEAK, to keep the governor from being corrupt.
question
How many women have served as governor of Texas?
answer
Two
question
Why did Texas legislators decide to put Texas' statewide elections in off-years?
answer
They are in off years to minimize the effect of presidential elections on the selection of Texas governor.
question
Why is it so expensive to run for statewide office in Texas, especially for governor?
answer
It is so expensive because Texas is so big and it takes money to reach everyone across the state.
question
How much did Abbott and Davis spend in the 2014 race?
answer
Abbott spent $46.8 million and Davis spent $36 million.
question
The governor's staff consists of nearly ___ individuals.
answer
250
question
What is the most significant of the Texas governor's executive powers?
answer
Power of appointment.
question
What is the power of patronage?
answer
The resources available to higher officials, usually opportunities to make political appointments to offices and confer grants, licenses or special favors to supporters.
question
What is senatorial courtesy and how does it affect the governor's appointments?
answer
The practice whereby the governor seeks the indication that the senator from the candidate's home supports the nomination.
question
What is martial law and when is it declared?
answer
Martial law can be declared in the event of riot, flood, hurricane, tornado or other disaster to protect lives and property.
question
What type of legislative powers does the governor have?
answer
Message power, power of the veto and the authority to call special session and set the agenda.
question
In 2011, approximately how many bills passed by the legislature did Governor Perry veto?
answer
301
question
When in the legislative cycle do most vetoes happen and why is this?
answer
They happen at the end of session, post-adjournment, because the legislature cannot fight back.
question
Why was John Connally regarded as a strong governor while Dolph Briscoe was usually seen as a weak governor?
answer
Connally actively sought to lead and Briscoe took a step back and did not seek to have an impact.
question
Why did our constitution create a plural executive?
answer
It was created so that no one person had all the power.
question
How are most of those plural executive members chosen?
answer
They are elected by the people.
question
Which one is chosen in a unique way?
answer
The Secretary of State is appointed by the Governor.
question
How was Bob Bullock's style as Lt. Governor different from Rick Perry's?
answer
Bullock was one of the strongest and most effective Lieutenant Governor Texas has ever seen. Perry had a low key style that was appreciated by the senate.
question
The Attorney General is Texas' top _____.
answer
lawyer
question
Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?
answer
Collecting child support.
question
The _____ is the oldest state agency in Texas.
answer
The General Land Office (GLO)
question
What are the department's important responsibilities?
answer
They award grazing and oil and gas exploration rights to this land.
question
What is the job of the Agricultural Commissioner?
answer
He is responsible for enforcing agriculture laws. This includes administration of animal quarantines, inspection of food and enforcement of disease and pest control programs.
question
Who checks weights and measures like gas station pumps?
answer
Department of Agriculture.
question
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
answer
He directs the collection of taxes and other revenues and estimates revenues for the budgeting process.
question
How is the plural executive directly accountable to the legislature?
answer
The budgetary process, Sunset Review and impeachment process.
question
What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?
answer
Created in 1975, its purpose is to review the effectiveness of state agencies.
question
What are the implications for Texas of having a weak governor and plural executive?
answer
First, because power and authority are divided among a number of distinct officers, no individual is fully responsible. Second, it has given rise to a powerful executive officer in the state Senate.
question
Qualifications for a Texas Governor
answer
1) US Citizen 2) 30 years old 3) 5 year resident
question
How much is the governor paid?
answer
$115,000 a year.
question
Who was the only governor to die in office?
answer
Buford Jester
question
Who was the only governor removed from office?
answer
Pa Ferguson
question
Who was the only governor that resigned?
answer
George W. Bush
question
What is the order of secession?
answer
President Pro Temp, Speaker of the House, Attorney General
question
What kind of vote is needed to pass an impeachment and where?
answer
Simply majority and in the House.
question
What kind of vote is needed to remove the governor and where?
answer
2/3 majority and in the Senate.
question
What is the governor's biggest power?
answer
Appointive
question
How long is a term on a board or commission?
answer
Overlapping 6 year terms.
question
What kind of vote is need to approve an appointed position?
answer
2/3 majority of Senate
question
Senatorial courtesy
answer
When the governor get approval from a particular Senator to appoint in his district.
question
Executive Power
answer
Sees that laws are enforced
question
Legislative Powers
answer
Line-item veto, special session, state of the state, sets agenda.
question
Judaical Power
answer
He really doesn't have much power unless he is replacing a position.
question
Pardon
answer
Releases them with full civil rights.
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Parole
answer
Releases them without civil rights.
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Commute
answer
Change a death penalty to life in prison.
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Reprive
answer
30 day stay of execution.
question
Plural Executive
answer
The people that share the power with the governor. They are elected to 4 year terms.
question
How much the plural executive make?
answer
$70,000 per year.
question
Who is the Lieutenant Governor?
answer
Dan Patrick
question
Who is the Attorney General?
answer
Ken Paxton
question
Who is the Comptroller?
answer
Glen Hegar
question
Duties of Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor?
answer
Grants floor, assigns bills, assigns committee and picks chairs.
question
Who was the last Treasurer?
answer
Martha Whitehead
question
Who is the land commissioner and what does he do?
answer
George P. Bush and he take care of public land.
question
Who is the agriculture commissioner and what does he do?
answer
Sid Miller and he enforces pesticide regulation and weights n measures.
question
Texas Board of Education
answer
They are elected and there are 15 members. They are in charge of supervising public education and writing rules for school and books.
question
Texas Railroad Commission
answer
They are elected and there are 3 members. They regulate the oil and gas industry.
question
Secretary of State
answer
Carlos Cascos. He is appointed by the governor.
question
Who is the governor of Texas?
answer
Greg Abbott