POLS 207, ROBLYER EXAM 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A+)
Plural Executive vs. Bureaucracy - ANSWER-Plural executive = free range (widespread
power), bureaucracy = worker bees (government employees)
Texas governors and lt. governors - ANSWER-Texas governors are weak, lt. governors
strong
What positions do governors usually come from? - ANSWER-Public affairs (lawyers or
business). People like a good-looking, charismatic gov.
Competition in gubernational elections - ANSWER-Very tight, usually 40/60% or tighter
Growth of the executive branch - ANSWER-Most growth has occurred. States want
more power as long as the feds pay the bill.
Executive vs. Legislative jobs - ANSWER-Executive is professional full time.
Legislatures are part-time and non-professional
How is a governor removed from office? - ANSWER-13 states have recall, 49 states
have impeachment. Only one Texas gov. has been impeached.
Governor duties, ranked by % - ANSWER-1. Administrator (28%)
2. Legislator (17%)
3. Ceremonial duties (14%)
4. Chief negotiator (14%)
5. Public opinion leader (9%)
6. Party leader (9%)
What duty do Texas govs. have a hard time controlling? - ANSWER-Administrative
duties
Two types of gubernational powers - ANSWER-1. Institutional powers (written in
constitution)
2. Personal powers (how stuff gets done)
What type of powers do Texas governors shine in? What powers do they lack in? -
ANSWER-Texas governors shine in personal powers, they don't have a lot of
institutional powers.
, Appointment power - ANSWER-Power to choose statewide executive officials. Key
factor in determining strength
Tenure power - ANSWER-Ability to remain in office, including re-election restrictions.
Managerial powers - ANSWER-Oversight of administration, coordination and executive
orders.
Fiscal powers - ANSWER-Supervises preparation of state budget
Legislative powers - ANSWER-Veto power (Texas has line-item veto) and call of special
sessions
What do personal powers depend on? - ANSWER-Personality of gov. Uses media,
public contact, skillful diplomacy and persuasion (bully pit).
Lt. Governor - ANSWER-*Elected separately from gov.
*Control of upper Senate
*Co-Chair in LBB
*vice-chair in audit committee and legislative edu. board
*4 year term
Comptroller - ANSWER-*controls anything finance
*very powerful (knows where $ goes)
*4 year term
Bureaucracy - ANSWER-Staff of the agencies that do the actual work of government
that work under elected officials. Local bureaucracies have grown
What % of U.S is gov. workers? How many of those are teachers? - ANSWER-13% of
workers, 50% are teachers
Advantages of agencies and bureaucracies - ANSWER-*experts on info.
*patient, see long view
*support & write procedures that favor agencies
*have solid basis
Merit system - ANSWER-Promotes fairness in each phase of employment, eliminates
patronage
Why do bureaucrats want their agencies to grow? - ANSWER-To benefit themselves
and offer worthwhile goods/services to increase client base
Land commissioner - ANSWER-*4 year term
*controls pub. land & resources (energy)
*Gov. gets part of profit of land
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A+)
Plural Executive vs. Bureaucracy - ANSWER-Plural executive = free range (widespread
power), bureaucracy = worker bees (government employees)
Texas governors and lt. governors - ANSWER-Texas governors are weak, lt. governors
strong
What positions do governors usually come from? - ANSWER-Public affairs (lawyers or
business). People like a good-looking, charismatic gov.
Competition in gubernational elections - ANSWER-Very tight, usually 40/60% or tighter
Growth of the executive branch - ANSWER-Most growth has occurred. States want
more power as long as the feds pay the bill.
Executive vs. Legislative jobs - ANSWER-Executive is professional full time.
Legislatures are part-time and non-professional
How is a governor removed from office? - ANSWER-13 states have recall, 49 states
have impeachment. Only one Texas gov. has been impeached.
Governor duties, ranked by % - ANSWER-1. Administrator (28%)
2. Legislator (17%)
3. Ceremonial duties (14%)
4. Chief negotiator (14%)
5. Public opinion leader (9%)
6. Party leader (9%)
What duty do Texas govs. have a hard time controlling? - ANSWER-Administrative
duties
Two types of gubernational powers - ANSWER-1. Institutional powers (written in
constitution)
2. Personal powers (how stuff gets done)
What type of powers do Texas governors shine in? What powers do they lack in? -
ANSWER-Texas governors shine in personal powers, they don't have a lot of
institutional powers.
, Appointment power - ANSWER-Power to choose statewide executive officials. Key
factor in determining strength
Tenure power - ANSWER-Ability to remain in office, including re-election restrictions.
Managerial powers - ANSWER-Oversight of administration, coordination and executive
orders.
Fiscal powers - ANSWER-Supervises preparation of state budget
Legislative powers - ANSWER-Veto power (Texas has line-item veto) and call of special
sessions
What do personal powers depend on? - ANSWER-Personality of gov. Uses media,
public contact, skillful diplomacy and persuasion (bully pit).
Lt. Governor - ANSWER-*Elected separately from gov.
*Control of upper Senate
*Co-Chair in LBB
*vice-chair in audit committee and legislative edu. board
*4 year term
Comptroller - ANSWER-*controls anything finance
*very powerful (knows where $ goes)
*4 year term
Bureaucracy - ANSWER-Staff of the agencies that do the actual work of government
that work under elected officials. Local bureaucracies have grown
What % of U.S is gov. workers? How many of those are teachers? - ANSWER-13% of
workers, 50% are teachers
Advantages of agencies and bureaucracies - ANSWER-*experts on info.
*patient, see long view
*support & write procedures that favor agencies
*have solid basis
Merit system - ANSWER-Promotes fairness in each phase of employment, eliminates
patronage
Why do bureaucrats want their agencies to grow? - ANSWER-To benefit themselves
and offer worthwhile goods/services to increase client base
Land commissioner - ANSWER-*4 year term
*controls pub. land & resources (energy)
*Gov. gets part of profit of land
