Review+for+GOVT+2306+Final

Review for GOVT 2306 Final

 Be familiar with factual details about the history of the Texas Constitution.  How is the 1876 Constitution similar to and different from previous constitutions?  What were the principle influences on the 1876 Constitution?  How does the Texas Constitution limit governmental power?  Be able to identify the subject matter of each of the articles of the Texas Constitution.  How is the content of the Texas Bill of Rights similar to the content of the US Bill of Rights?  What is the relationship between counties and the state?  What are primary elections? How are they conducted in the state?  What does it take to win primary elections in the state? How about general elections?  Be familiar with basic facts about the Texas Legislature when it is session.  What factors make the Texas Speaker and Lieutenant Governor powerful?  Which executive offices are elected in the state? Which are appointed?  How are people appointed to board and commissions? Why?  How does one become a member of the State Board of Education and the Railroad Commission?  What do these offices do? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the Texas Ethics Commission? What does it do? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What are cities? How are they different than state governments? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What functions do cities serve? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What are the basic ways that city governments are designed? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What do city councils, mayors and city managers do? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How are public schools (K-12 and higher ed) organized in the state? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How are elections conducted in the state? What officials are in charge of what aspects of elections? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How are the states affected by the US Constitution? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What kinds of elections can be held statewide? Citywide? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What are the pros and cons of an elected judiciary? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is a budget? Know basic facts about the Texas budget. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the budgetary process? Which institutions are involved in it? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Be familiar with the criminal justice system. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What do sheriffs do? How are they distinct from police? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Which county level officials are elected and which are appointed? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What complaints did the early Texans have against the government of Mexico? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the extent of suffrage in the state? How is Texas suffrage impacted by federal law? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How is Texas’ political culture similar to and different than that of the rest of the US? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the purpose of the separated powers? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How are the powers of the Texas government kept separate? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the nature of the design of the Texas executive branch? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is the nature of the design of the Texas judiciary? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How have parties in the state evolved over time? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Be familiar the steps the Texas Republican Party has taken as it has become dominant in the state. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How urban is the state of Texas? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What roles do counties play in elections? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What does the Texas Constitution state about education policy in the state? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Be able to describe key features of the Brazoria County government, and the local area as a whole. <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What does the Texas Constitution state about suffrage in the state? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Be familiar with the bill making process in the state? Who can impact bills? How? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What roles do committees play in the bill making process? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What impact do parties have on the state legislature? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What offices are and are not term limited in the state? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What are the principle differences between community colleges and universities? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How does the Voting Rights Act impact elections in Texas? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What is an at-large and single member district? What are the principle differences between the two? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How has gerrymandering affect Texas elections? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What was the White Primary? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> What roles do state play in the federal system? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How can state be influenced by the federal government to provide certain programs? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> How powerful is the Texas governor? What are the sources of the powers of the office? <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;"> Be aware of key facts regarding amendments to the Texas Constitution.