POLS 207 Exam 3 Questions & Answers 100% Verified

Know the different powers of the governor in Texas - ANSWER-• the constitutional position of governors relative to others • their powers of appointment and removal over state officials • their ability or inability to succeed themselves • their powers over the state budget • their veto powers • their position in their own party and its position in state politics Know the different types of vetoes - ANSWER--Post-Adjournment Veto: Governor can veto a bill after a session has been adjourned and legislature can't do anything about it -Pocket Veto: A type of veto occurring when congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president and the president simply lets the bill die -Line-item veto: Can reject particular items in a bill -Legislative veto: Vote in congress to override a presidential decision What is the role of governors in the budget process? - ANSWER-Governor starts the budget process has very little control other than that What are executive orders? - ANSWER-A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law Know the different executive positions across the states (lieutenant governor, attorney general, etc.) (cont'd from 3) - ANSWER--Treasurers, auditors, comptrollers: help control the public purse -Personal staff: Governors hire a small group of dedicated personal aides Why is the post-adjournment veto so powerful? - ANSWER-Governor can veto a bill after a session has been adjourned and legislature can't do anything about it What is the No Child Left Behind Act? - ANSWER-states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in high school. -Testing •Federal Funding is tied to test scores •Failing Schools get less money •Teachers end up teaching for the tests and nothing else -Parental Choice •Parents move their kids out of failing schools -State Flexibility •State has control control over what they spend the funding on specifically -Controversy •Comprised the quality of education and drove the struggling schools deeper into the shitter. •Every other industrialized nation is beating us in education •Obama administration gutted NCLB and has been replaced by Common Core •The federal government has never been able to put together a good nationwide educational plan, regardless of which party is under control. What is gross domestic product? - ANSWER-The total value of all the goods and services produced in the United States in a year; a measure of the size of the US economy What are progressive taxes? - ANSWER--Higher income, higher percent of taxes -Low income, lower percent of taxes What are regressive taxes? - ANSWER--Higher income, less tax percentage -Less income, higher tax burden -Flat rate taxes are considered regressive What are the different sources of tax revenue for both state and local governments? - ANSWER--Sales tax -Property tax How are property tax exemptions used? - ANSWER--Some properties, such are those owned by religious organizations or governments, are completely exempt from paying property taxes -Others are partially exempt, such as veterans who qualify for an exemption on part of their homes, and homeowners who are eligible for the School Tax Relief (STAR) program Which taxes are considered regressive? - ANSWER-Local property taxes What are excise taxes? - ANSWER--Taxes that are implemented to govern behavior •Cigarette, alcohol, gas Why do states look to keep their corporate taxes low? - ANSWER-Attract businesses to come to the state What is meant by tax burden? - ANSWER-Taxes as a percent of a person's income; the larger the proportion of the income paid in taxes, the larger the tax burden Which level of government is affected the most by limitations on taxation? - ANSWER-Local How do most Americans feel about taxes? - ANSWER-They are too high What are the merit and spoils systems? - ANSWER--Merit: getting a job based on your ability to do the job -Spoils system: not about what you know but who you know What is outsourcing? - ANSWER-Hiring people from a different company instead of people within Know the different types of bonds - ANSWER--General Obligations Bond: a common type of municipal bond in the United States that is secured by a state or local government's pledge to use legally available resources, including tax revenues, to repay bond holders); more secure so lenders are willing to accept lower interest rates -Revenue Bonds: bonds issue by governments for specific projects and back only by whatever revenues the projects generate; lenders face greater risks and require higher interest payments How is the academic performance measured? - ANSWER--Educational Attainment -Standardized Testing -Dropout rates What are magnet schools? - ANSWER-Public school offering special instruction and programs not available elsewhere designed to attract a more diverse student body from throughout a school district What are charter schools? - ANSWER--Schools operated with public funds by private community groups under a charter from public school districts or other granting agency •Could be church based, a private investment firm, etc. •Gives an alternative to the normal K-12 decision What are vouchers? - ANSWER-A government-funded voucher redeemable for tuition fees at a school other than the public school that a student could attend free When can money be given to a religious educational institute? - ANSWER--If it passes the Lemon Test •Must have a secular purpose •Must never advance or inhibit religion •Must not entangle government with religion