POLS 2312 Final Exam 1 2025

What impacts State Government? - -Culture, Economy, Geography, Population Traditionalistic Culture - -Few people have power, most don't. Elite in politics only. Status quo, little radical change Moralistic Culture - -Encourages citizens to participate. Policies usually benefit common good Individualistic Culture - -Promotes private enterprise, focus on private sector. Politicians usually there for personal gain. Low business taxes, less regulation Political Culture of Texas - -Individualistic and Traditionalistic Texas' state economy comparatively to other States? - -#2 in GDP, top 5 economy Industries flourished in Texas because of geography: - -Oil, Cattle, Cotton What can states do to address budget shortfall? - -Cut spending and/or raise taxes Concurrent Powers - -Shared powers b/w state and country. i.e. power of taxation Reserved Powers - -State government only. 10th Amendment. i.e. defining/punishing criminal law, administering higher education, state highways & traffic laws To win a Party Primary: - -Majority Vote (50% + 1 To win a General Election: - -Plurality Vote, whoever just has the most EJ Davis - -1869- Radical Republican. Governor, state is in huge debt. Public spending goes up, property taxes go up. New Constitution is in the works (1869 version) Open Primaries - -WHAT TEXAS HAS. No need to declare party affiliation, pick one or the other, but not both. Closed Primaries - -Must register as Party voter, declare an affiliation and vote only in that primary Crossover Voting - -Only with Open Primaries: Voter from Party A votes for Primary for Party B Fletcher v. Peck - -1810- How judicial review extended to state level. 1795 Land Grant Law passed, selling off land, 1796 repealed law. Peck sold his land to Fletcher but it wasn't officially his land. --- Repealing land grant was ruled unconstitutional, first time a state law is declared as such 1869 version of Texas Constitution - -THEME: Centralized Government. Annual legislative sessions. High power to governor position (length increased from 2 to 4 year terms), has authority to appoint all judges in TX and appoint hundreds in bureaucratic system 1874 version of Texas Constitution - -THEME: Decentralize Government. Governor goes back to a 2 year from 4 year term, reduced salary. No judicial appointments, moves to an election. Plural executive, new elected officials to share executive power with governor. Biennial legislative session (once every other year), origin of our current constitution. Full Faith & Credit Clause - -All judicial rulings of other states must be upheld in all states i.e. gay marriage Privileges & Immunities - -Citizen visitors from other states must be given same rights and protection as residents in state How are amendments ratified in Texas? - -- Propose amendment by a legislator -- 2/3 super majority of both House & Senate to propose to the voters - Ratify proposed amendment -- Majority (50% +1) of voters, voters have authority to ratify or dismiss U.S. v. Texas - -Texas continued poll tax in state/local elections even after 24th Amendment ruled away tax in general election. Supreme Court ruled any use of poll tax unconstitutional- 1966 Two main factors to predict election outcome: - -Incumbency and District Party ID/Affiliation Incumbent - -The current office-holder running for reelection. Has perks: Familiarity, Media attention, Comfort, etc. What kind of citizens are most likely to vote? - -Age: Older Income: Wealthier Education Level: Higher Gonzales v. Oregon - -Assisted Suicide, Death with Dignity. Gonzalez said it was against a drug law, but Supreme Court upholds the Oregon state law: - 18 years old - Diagnosis with terminal illness, 6 months to live - 2 oral requests separated by 15 days with written request - psychiatric evaluation - Issued lethal dosage of drug Deadline to register to vote in Texas: - -30 days prior to election Office Block Ballot - -More difficult to vote a straight ticket, separated mostly by position rather than party Party Column Ballot - -EASIER to vote a straight ticket, separated by parties across top, the position for running down the side Grant-in-Aid - -Federal Gov. gives money to state for ability to set up different programs. Broadened how we use grants. States MUST meet federal stipulation for money grant General Revenue Sharing - -NOT USED ANYMORE. Allows states to have most control over the money given. Must be put in a math equation for how much they deserve, then state has full control