Test Questions & Answers Ch6 Local Governments In Texas

Chapter 6

Local Governments in Texas

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. ________ is the political principle that assigns different functions to different levels of government.

a. Republicanism

b. Constitutionalism

c. Separation of powers

d. Federalism

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Federalism Revisited

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The most common form of local government in the United States is the

a. city.

b. county.

c. school district.

d. special district.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Creatures of the State

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The least common form of local government in the United States is the

a. city.

b. county.

c. school district.

d. special district.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Creatures of the State

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Texas has all of the following types of local government EXCEPT:
   1. Counties
   2. Cities
   3. Townships
   4. School districts

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Creatures of the State

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Bexar County, Texas, is an example of which category of local government?

a. limited-purpose

b. special-purpose

c. general-purpose

d. multi-jurisdictional

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Creatures of the State

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Which of the following is an example of a general-purpose government in Texas?
   1. County
   2. City
   3. School district
   4. Special district

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Creatures of the State

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Which of the following is one of the two types of chartered cities in Texas?
   1. Home law city
   2. Common rule city
   3. General rule city
   4. General law city

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: General Law Cities and Home Rule

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Most cities in Texas are chartered under
   1. Home rule
   2. General law
   3. Home law
   4. General rule

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: General Law Cities and Home Rule

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. For incorporation to proceed in Texas, first a minimum population of ________ citizens must be living within a two-square-mile area.

a. 201

b. 501

c. 1,001

d. 2,501

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: General Law Cities and Home Rule

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Which of the following is the key distinction between general law cities and home rule cities?
   1. Home rule charters are created by the citizens
   2. General law cities have no extra-territorial jurisdiction
   3. General law cities do not have annexation powers
   4. Home rule cities have 6-year terms for city council

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: General Law Cities and Home Rule

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. San Antonio wants to expand and add new territory to the city and broaden its tax base by doing what with regard to an upscale subdivision that borders the city?

a. declaring eminent domain over it

b. annexing it

c. invoking extraterritorial jurisdiction upon it

d. incorporating it

Critical Thinking: Application

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: General Law Cities and Home Rule

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. If you selected any city in Texas at random, what governmental form would you most likely find?

a. commission

b. weak mayor-council

c. strong mayor-council

d. council-manager

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In which type of city government does the city council select a person to be a chief administrator?

a. council-manager

b. weak mayor

c. strong mayor

d. commission

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Which of the following is one of the roles of the mayor in a council-manager form of government?

a. administrative

b. presiding officer of the council

c. head of government for the city

d. the veto

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Under the council-manager form of government, how is the city manager selected?

a. partisan election

b. mayoral appointment

c. city council appointment

d. nonpartisan election

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Which of the following is a weakness of the council-manager form of city government?

a. full-time council members serving for too long

b. city manager being answerable to the voting public

c. absence of political coalitions

d. ability of the city manager to manipulate information and control council decisions

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. If most of the power rests with the mayor, that city is said to have a:
   1. Council-manager government
   2. Weak mayor government
   3. Strong mayor government
   4. Mayor-manager government

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In a council-manager government, who is responsible for preparing the budget?
   1. The city manager
   2. The city council
   3. The mayor
   4. The city clerk

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The weak mayor’s formal powers most resemble those of which other government official in Texas?

a. the mayor in the council-manager form of city government

b. the governor

c. the speaker of the Texas House

d. the lieutenant governor

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In a strong-mayor city, the mayor

a. hires the city manager.

b. has term limits.

c. appoints major department heads.

d. has very limited control over the budget.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In which type of city government does the mayor control the budget?

a. council-manager

b. weak mayor

c. strong mayor

d. commission

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. If you selected any city in Texas at random, what governmental form would you LEAST likely find?

a. commission

b. weak mayor-council

c. strong mayor-council

d. council-manager

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In which type of city government do voters elect people directly to oversee city departments?

a. council-manager

b. weak mayor

c. strong mayor

d. commission

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is one of the last large cities to use the commission form of city government, gave what powers to the mayor in an attempt to correct some of the form’s shortcomings?

a. authority to call special sessions

b. budget authority

c. removal authority

d. appointment authority

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The commission form of city government served as a transition from the

a. weak mayor form to the council-manager form.

b. strong mayor form to the council-manager form.

c. weak mayor form to the strong mayor form.

d. council-manager form to the weak mayor form.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The commission form of government:
   1. Is the most common form of government in Texas cities
   2. Creates more checks and balances than other forms of government
   3. Typically leads to more competent administrators
   4. Helped spark the transition to the council-manager form of government

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Types of City Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. All of the following are at-large election systems EXCEPT

a. at-large by place.

b. at-large by place with residence wards required.

c. at-large no place.

d. at-large multiple places.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Municipal Election Types

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What change was noted when cities in Texas were forced to change to single-member districts for at least some city council seats?

a. higher voter turnout

b. substantial increase in minority city council members

c. lower voter turnout

d. dramatic change in how city services were distributed

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Municipal Election Types

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What voting system is preferred by voting rights activists as a means of increasing minority representation?

a. at-large voting

b. single-member districts

c. preferential voting

d. cumulative voting

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Municipal Election Types

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. If there are six seats up for election and a voter is allowed to cast up to six votes, this is an example of:
   1. Cumulative voting
   2. Preferential voting
   3. Instant runoff voting
   4. At-large voting

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Municipal Election Types

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. San Antonio ran slates of candidates using a “nonpartisan organization” known as the

a. Good Government League.

b. Citizens Charter Association.

c. Business and Professional Association.

d. Chamber of Commerce.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Nonpartisan Elections

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Municipal elections in Texas:
   1. Have high turnout
   2. Are nonpartisan
   3. Must be held during presidential election years
   4. Receive large amount of media coverage

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Nonpartisan Elections

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Voter turnout in City of Austin municipal elections is usually about

a. 3 percent.

b. 10 percent.

c. 38 percent.

d. 62 percent.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Voter Turnout in Local Elections

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What is the oldest type of local government, adapted from a British unit of government, that is used in the United States?

a. county

b. province

c. shire

d. city

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What is the largest county in Texas in terms of population?

a. Dallas

b. Bexar

c. Harris

d. Tarrant

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What is the composition of the county commissioner’s court?

a. five county commissioners, with one member appointed county judge

b. a three-judge panel and four county commissioners

c. a district clerk and four county commissioners

d. a county judge and four county commissioners

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In smaller counties, state law allows the sheriff to act as

a. the justice of the peace.

b. the tax assessor/collector.

c. constable and court officer.

d. the medical examiner.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Who is responsible for maintaining property records and issuing marriage licenses?

a. county tax assessor

b. county clerk

c. county treasurer

d. county auditor

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Who is responsible for collecting revenue for the state and county?

a. county tax assessor

b. county clerk

c. county treasurer

d. county auditor

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Who is responsible for overseeing the collecting and disbursing county funds?

a. county tax assessor

b. county clerk

c. county treasurer

d. county auditor

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. Who is responsible for receiving, maintaining, and disbursing county funds?

a. county tax assessor

b. county clerk

c. county treasurer

d. county auditor

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: County Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. County governments in Texas:
   1. Are highly centralized
   2. Are more effective in urban vs. rural areas
   3. Lack general ordinance authority
   4. Depend upon property tax revenues from rural areas

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Weaknesses of County Government in Texas

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. County government was designed to meet the needs of and provide services to a(n) ________ population.

a. urban

b. agrarian

c. rural

d. varied

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Weaknesses of County Government in Texas

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. What authority do state and city governments have that in counties is quite limited?

a. disbursement of funds

b. infrastructure maintenance

c. ordinance creation

d. law enforcement

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Weaknesses of County Government in Texas

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The primary source of revenue for counties is

a. sales tax.

b. property tax.

c. income tax.

d. state block grants.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Weaknesses of County Government in Texas

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. One suggestion for reform of county government that has been frequently made over the past 70 years involves

a. provincial incorporation.

b. general law.

c. the commission system.

d. home rule.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Possible Reform of County Government

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. The authority to establish and maintain a free public school system is contained in which article of the Texas Constitution?

a. Article 3

b. Article 5

c. Article 7

d. Article 9

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Special District Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

1. In Texas, education is primarily the responsibility of

a. the federal government.

b. the state government.

c. county governments.

d. school districts.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Special District Governments

Topic: Local Governments in Texas

Texas LO-2. Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

ESSAY

1. Explain what is meant when local governments are called “creatures of the states.”Define extraterritorial jurisdiction and discuss how cities in Texas grow larger and gain territory.
2. List and describe the three basic forms city governments have taken in Texas.
3. What are the main functions of the city manager in the council-manager form of city government?
4. Compare and contrast the roles and powers of the mayor in weak-mayor and strong-mayor forms of city government. Which do you think is best, and why?
5. Compare, contrast, and analyze these four types of election systems: at-large, single-member district, cumulative, and preferential voting.
6. Why is voter turnout usually so low in local elections?
7. What are the key aspects of the structure of county government?
8. Explain why city residents pay twice for infrastructure and protective services, whereas county residents only pay once.
9. Argue for or against the reform of county government with an emphasis on county home rule.
10. How are independent school districts governed and operated?