Governors of Texas Chapter 8 Test Questions & Answers

Chapter 8

Test Bank

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 1, Objective 8.1

1) To be governor, one must be at least 30 years old and a resident of Texas for at least five years preceding the election. These are _______ requirements to be governor

Feedback: factual

a. cultural

b. procedural

c. informal

d. formal

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 2, Objective 8.1

2) Most Texas governors have been white Protestant men. These are _______ requirements to be governor

Feedback: factual

a. cultural

b. procedural

c. informal

d. formal

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 3, Objective 8.1

3) Some states specify someone can only be elected governor twice. These requirements are

Feedback: factual

a. term limits.

b. limitations of the Executive.

c. recommendations for time in office.

d. Article II limits.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 4, Objective 8.1

4) Those drafting the 1876 Constitution were suspicious of executive power, so they set the governor’s term for

Feedback: factual

a. 2 years.

b. 10 years.

c. life.

d. 5 years.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 5, Objective 8.1

5) In 2000, Governor George W. Bush resigned to prepare for his upcoming term as President of the United States. Which official took over as governor?

Feedback: factual

a. The speaker of the house

b. The attorney general

c. The lieutenant governor

d. The vice governor

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 6, Objective 8.1

6) The sequential passing of authority from one person to another if the previous person is unable to serve is referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. passing the torch.

b. political succession.

c. impeachment.

d. removal powers.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 7, Objective 8.1

7) The governor is able to choose whom he or she would like for a number of government positions. This is the _______ power.

Feedback: conceptual

a. corrupt

b. campaign

c. spoils

d. appointment

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 8, Objective 8.2

8) Someone was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The governor reduces her sentence to 10 years. The governor has just issued _______.

Feedback: applied

a. judicial override

b. a pardon

c. clemency

d. executive review

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 9, Objective 8.2

9) The constitutional power of the veto is nicknamed the _______ because it is such a valuable bargaining tool.

Feedback: conceptual

a. “representation curse”

b. “tricky gift”

c. “governor’s gift”

d. “legislator’s gift”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 10, Objective 8.2

10) Governors have the ability to suggest legislation to the legislature. This is referred to as the governor’s power to

Feedback: conceptual

a. recommend legislation.

b. issue a proclamation.

c. issue a veto.

d. call a special session.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 11, Objective 8.2

11) During the first sixty days of each legislative session, lawmakers are barred from passing legislation. The constitution allows the governor to declare _______ and have it be prioritized in the first sixty days.

Feedback: conceptual

a. an inappropriate use of funding

b. a priority item

c. an “emergency” item

d. an appropriation

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 12, Objective 8.2

12) Special sessions of the legislature are often nicknamed

Feedback: conceptual

a. the “governor’s session.”

b. the “late-late session.”

c. the “lieutenant governor’s session.”

d. the “left-over session.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 13, Objective 8.2

13) The governor has vetoed a bill, but the legislature would still like to see this bill become law. How can they accomplish this?

Feedback: applied

a. They must convince the governor to sign it.

b. They can override the veto with a majority vote in both chambers.

c. They can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

d. The Senate can override the veto with a majority vote.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 14, Objective 8.2

14) In order for the governor to issue a pardon he or she needs the support of the

Feedback: conceptual

a. victim’s family.

b. lieutenant governor.

c. Texas Prisons Board.

d. attorney general.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 15, Objective 8.2

15) A veto that allows the governor to reject a specific provision in a bill without rejecting the whole bill is called a

Feedback: conceptual

a. veto.

b. special-executive veto.

c. line-item veto.

d. budget-item veto.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 16, Objective 8.2

16) As the president is the commander-in-chief of the US military, the Texas governor serves as commander-in-chief of the Texas military forces, except when

Feedback: conceptual

a. the governor is out of the state.

b. they are called into service of the United States.

c. the United States is in a state of war.

d. the state of Texas is underfunded.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 17, Objective 8.2

17) The power to reduce or delay punishment for a crime is called granting

Feedback: conceptual

a. clemency.

b. a pardon.

c. a reprieve.

d. a reduction.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 18, Objective 8.2

18) The power to forgive a crime is called granting.

Feedback: conceptual

a. clemency.

b. a pardon.

c. a reprieve.

d. a reduction.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 19, Objective 8.2

19) The legislature passes a bill which the governor does not want to see become law. He or she can

Feedback: applied

a. formally reject the bill.

b. veto the bill.

c. sign the bill out of law.

d. order the legislature to withdraw the bill.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 20, Objective 8.2

20) Governors often veto to bring state policy in line with their

Feedback: conceptual

a. budget goals.

b. political philosophy.

c. personal finances.

d. friends’ goals.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 21, Objective 8.2

21) The legislature sends the governor a bill. If the governor ignores the bill for 10 days, what happens?

Feedback: applied

a. It goes to the Chief Justice for his or her signature.

b. It is automatically vetoed.

c. It goes to the lieutenant governor for his or her signature.

d. It becomes law without his or her signature.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 22, Objective 8.2

22) In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Governor Abbott issued _______ declaring the Coastal Bend a disaster area. This allowed emergency responders to begin work.

Feedback: applied

a. an executive order

b. a proclamation

c. a directive

d. legislation

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 23, Objective 8.2

23) The legal process in which the legislative branch has the authority to indict and remove a public official is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. losing an election.

b. executive removal.

c. impeachment.

d. indictment.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 24, Objective 8.2

24) During the covid-19 pandemic, Governor Abbott issued _______ which required certain businesses to close.

Feedback: applied

a. an executive order

b. a proclamation

c. a directive

d. legislation

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 25, Objective 8.2

25) The governor has the power, with the support of the majority of the Texas Prisons Board, to set aside convictions of those in Texas prisons. This is the _______ power.

Feedback: conceptual

a. pardon

b. judicial review

c. second-chance

d. reentry

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 26, Objective 8.2

26) Suppose the governor believes an urgent matter requires the legislature’s immediate attention, but the legislature is not scheduled to be in session for another year. What can the governor do?

Feedback: applied

a. Request the County Judges to convene

b. Ask the Texas Supreme Court to step in

c. Nothing, the governor must wait

d. Call a special session

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 27, Objective 8.2

27) Legally binding orders from the governor that are used to direct government, especially state agencies, in the execution of law are called

Feedback: conceptual

a. executive orders.

b. proclamations.

c. executive resolutions.

d. executive laws.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 28, Objective 8.2

28) On the whole, the number of executive orders and proclamations has _______ over time.

Feedback: conceptual

a. dramatically decreased

b. decreased

c. stayed roughly the same

d. increased

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 29 Objective 8.2

29) Gubernatorial orders that are used to make factual determinations to trigger other available powers are

Feedback: conceptual

a. executive orders.

b. proclamations.

c. executive resolutions.

d. executive laws.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 30, Objective 8.2

30) When Governor Abbott suspended more than 200 laws or regulations (from vehicle registration to hotel and motel occupancy taxes) for victims of Hurricane Harvey for 14 days following the storm, he did so using

Feedback: applied

a. executive orders.

b. proclamations.

c. executive resolutions.

d. executive laws.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 31, Objective 8.2

31) The governor is asked to sign a bill. He likes the bill, but there is one provision he does not like; so he signs the bill, except for the part he does not like. He has just used the _______ veto.

Feedback: applied

a. line-item

b. selective

c. expansive

d. discretionary

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 32, Objective 8.3

32) The governor’s staff communicates with members of the legislature when it is session in order to get legislation passed. This is known as

Feedback: applied

a. meddling.

b. executive legislating.

c. keeping score.

d. working the floor.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 33, Objective 8.3

33) To get legislation passed, the governor invites legislators to dinner at her office and offers to endorse legislators in their reelection bids in return for help passing bills favored by the governor. This is an example of

Feedback: applied

a. logrolling.

b. corruption.

c. formal powers.

d. informal powers.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 34, Objective 8.3

34) The governor is frustrated with the state legislature and sends out a series of tweets criticizing the Texas House. The governor has just

Feedback: applied

a. gone public.

b. gotten really petty.

c. vetoed the bill.

d. violated the legislature’s role in the law making process.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 35, Objective 8.3

35) The governor does not get along with a particular lawmaker and regularly vetoes her bills and campaigns against her. This is referred to as

Feedback: applied

a. meddling.

b. violating separation of powers.

c. going public.

d. keeping score.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 36, Objective 8.3

36) The governor wants input from citizens on a particular topic. He or she might assemble a group of citizens to study the topic and report back. This is called a

Feedback: applied

a. governor’s study group.

b. citizen advisory group.

c. mini-legislature.

d. policy institute.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 37, Objective 8.3

37) Informally, the governor serves as the

Feedback: conceptual

a. leader of his or her political party.

b. county judge for Travis County.

c. senior U.S. senator.

d. CEO of the Houston Astros.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 38, Objective 8.3

38) Actions governors might take that are not formally written but are exercised through the activities of the governor are called

Feedback: conceptual

a. informal powers.

b. formal powers.

c. unofficial powers.

d. official powers.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 39, Objective 8.3

39) Governors are granted the formal power to recommend legislation, but they have to work well with members of the legislature to ensure passage of their agenda. This is often referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. “late-night sessions.”

b. “legislative bargaining.”

c. “executive coffee breaks.”

d. “formal power bargaining.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 40, Objective 8.3

40) Why are some governors better at legislative bargaining than others?

Feedback: conceptual

a. The llegislature has passed laws making it easier for the governor to interact with the legislature.

b. Legislators have gotten less social over the years.

c. It is much easier to bargain with a smart phone than in the old days of landlines.

d. Legislative bargaining comes down to governor personality and strengths.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 41, Objective 8.3

41) A governor can lend his or her personal prestige to candidates for office with the presumption of reciprocal support. This is typically done through

Feedback: conceptual

a. bargaining.

b. nominations.

c. endorsements.

d. donations.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 42, Objective 8.3

42) An informal power of the governor to use his or her public platform to set the state’s political and policy agenda is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. giving endorsements.

b. agenda-setting.

c. setting policy initiatives.

d. using veto power.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 43, Objective 8.3

43) An address that is not constitutionally required but is conventionally delivered at the beginning of a new gubernatorial term known as

Feedback: conceptual

a. the state of the state address.

b. the state of the union address.

c. the inaugural speech.

d. the executive address.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 44, Objective 8.3

44) The governor is constitutionally required to give the legislature an update on the state. Often, governors also set their policy agenda in this speech. The speech is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. the State of the State Address.

b. the State of the Union Address.

c. the State of Texas Address.

d. the Governor’s Update.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 45, Objective 8.3

45) Just as presidents take their case to the American people, Texas governors frequently speak directly to the citizens of Texas. This persuasion technique is called _______.

Feedback: conceptual

a. “going local.”

b. “going public.”

c. “using the pulpit.”

d. “bullying through speech.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 46, Objective 8.3

46) The governor’s implementation of the budget when the legislature is not in session called

Feedback: conceptual

a. fiscal implementation.

b. budget execution.

c. budget appropriations.

d. fiscal appropriations.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 47, Objective 8.3

47) Recent Texas governors have spent a great deal of time on the road trying to lure jobs to the state. For this reason they are sometimes referred to as the state’s

Feedback: conceptual

a. “economic cheerleader.”

b. “economist.”

c. “economist-in-chief.”

d. “fiscal leader.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 48, Objective 8.4

48) On paper the governor in Texas is considered

Feedback: conceptual

a. “moderately strong.”

b. “moderately weak.”

c. “strong.”

d. “weak.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 49, Objective 8.4

49) Which governor served three terms and greatly expanded the power of the Texas governor’s office?

Feedback: factual

a. Ann Richards

b. Rick Perry

c. Sam Houston

d. George W. Bush

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 50, Objective 8.4

50) Governor Perry was in office for more than a decade, and Governor Abbott has announced he plans to stand for a third term. Longer time in office _______ the power of the governor.

Feedback: applied

a. doesn’t change

b. has no impact on

c. decreases

d. increases

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 51, Objective 8.1

51) What are the constitutional requirements for becoming governor in Texas?

Feedback:

To serve as governor, an individual must be at least thirty years of age and a citizen of the United States and must have resided in Texas for at least five years immediately preceding his or her election.

The governor cannot hold any other office (civil, military, or corporate) during their time in office and cannot accept any salary, reward, or compensation (or the promise of these) for any service rendered or preformed while governor.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 52, Objective 8.1

52) What informal qualifications have we seen throughout time, as evidenced by those who have held the governorship?

Feedback:

The formal qualifications for governor are minimal, but informal qualifications such as race, gender, profession, political experience, social network, and charm and charisma also factor in.

Almost all Texan governors have been white, protestant men with previous political experience.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 53, Objective 8.1

53) What are term limits? Does Texas have term limits?

Feedback:

Legal restrictions on the number of terms that an elected official can serve in a specific office.

There are no term limits, so an individual can run for governor or member of the state legislature as often as they wish.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 54, Objective 8.1

54) Which governor stayed in office the longest amount of time?

Feedback:

Governor Perry is tied with Allan Shivers (1949–1957), Price Daniel (1957–1963), and John Connally (1963–1969) for three consecutive elected terms in office, but Governor Perry alone holds the record for years served as governor (14).

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 55, Objective 8.1

55) How may a governor be constitutionally removed from office?

Feedback:

Impeachment is a legal process in which the legislative branch has the authority to indict and remove a public official. The state legislature can impeach both elected and non-elected officials. It carries out this process in two stages: impeachment via majority in the House and a trial in the Senate (two-thirds vote).

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 56, Objective 8.1

56) Which governor was impeached and removed from?

Feedback:

Only one governor, James E. “Pa” Ferguson, has been impeached in Texas’s history.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 57, Objective 8.1

57) Who was Texas’s first female governor?

Feedback:

In 1924, “Pa” Ferguson helped to elect his wife, Miriam A. “Ma” Ferguson to the governor’s office. The 1924 slogan went “Me for Ma, and I Ain’t Got a Durned Thing Against Pa.”

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 58, Objective 8.1

58) What is “political succession”?

Feedback:

The sequential passing of authority from one person to another as the previous people are unable to serve.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 59, Objective 8.2

59) What are executive orders?

Feedback:

Legally binding orders from the governor that are used to direct government, especially state agencies, in the execution of law. They are often preceded by proclamations.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 60, Objective 8.2

60) What are proclamations?

Feedback:

Gubernatorial orders that are used to make factual determinations to trigger other available powers. They often precede executive orders.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 61, Objective 8.1

61) Explain the impeachment process and state whether any governors have ever been impeached in Texas. Be as specific as you can.

Feedback:

Impeachment is a legal process in which the legislative branch has the authority to indict and remove a public official. The state legislature can impeach both elected and non-elected officials.

It carries out this process in two stages. First, the Texas House of Representatives must cast a majority vote in favor of impeachment. Second, the Texas Senate sits as a jury, hearing and evaluating the evidence in a trial setting.

To convict an individual who has been impeached by the house and remove them from office, two-thirds of the senate must agree.

Only one governor, James E. “Pa” Ferguson, has been impeached in Texas’s history.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 62, Objective 8.2

62) Explain what an executive order is and how it is different from a proclamation.

Feedback:

Governors often issue unilateral executive orders to execute laws. These orders have the force of law and often make use of powers granted to the governor by the legislature.

Proclamations are similar to executive orders but are used to make factual determinations (such as a state of emergency) to trigger other available powers (such as the ability to ask for disaster relief funds).

These orders often serve purely ceremonial purposes, allowing the governor to play a public role in the political culture of the state. In one of his first actions as Governor, Greg Abbott proclaimed February 2, 2015, as Chris Kyle Day in honor of Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 63, Objective 8.2

63) Explain the governor’s legislative role.

Feedback:

A major function of the governor is to work with the legislature. An effective governor focuses on two or three key goals to push through a sometimes friendly but typically hostile legislature.

By constitutional mandate, governors are allowed to “recommend to the Legislature such measures they may deem expedient.”

During the first sixty days of each legislative session, lawmakers are barred from passing legislation. Instead, they focus time organizing each chamber, holding hearings on legislation, and debating issues. Only the governor can break through this line. The constitution allows the governor to declare an “emergency” item and have it be prioritized in the first sixty days.

After the biennial 140-day session is over, the governor has the power to call the legislature into special session that can last up to 30 days.

All constitutions in Texas have given the governor (or president under the Republic) the power of the veto.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 08 Question 64, Objective 8.4

64) In your view, is the governorship of Texas weak or strong? Back up your claims with specific evidence.

Feedback:

The Texas governor is a “weak” governor on paper. The framers of the sections on gubernatorial power were so wary when they created the Constitution in 1876 and the rule of former Governor Davis was so despised that there were no serious debates about the role of the chief executive.

The strength of a governor’s office depends on the extent to which the governor can appoint other important members of the executive branch, oversee administrative functions of the bureaucracy, veto legislation and the budget, and remove officials from office. The Texas governor has few of these powers.

Texas ranks comparatively low on a scale of gubernatorial power. However, if used properly, the governor’s powers allow for significant expansion of executive authority.

The example from Governor Perry’s record-breaking number of vetoes in his first term in office makes this clear. Governors can use their power in ways that makes them powerful, if they use it properly.