Chapter 8 Multiple Choice
1. The veto of the Governor of Texas may be overridden by
a. Unanimous consent of the senate
b. A two-thirds vote of the house and senate
c. A majority vote of the house and senate
d. Certification of the comptroller
2. As party chief, a governor may
a. Appoint party members to patronage jobs in the state government
b. Lead his party’s delegation to the national convention
c. Speak out on issues important to the state at party functions
d. All of the above
3. A governor’s staff is responsible for
a. Screening a recommending political appointees
b. Serving as liaison with the legislature
c. Aiding in the preparation of the state budget
d. All of the above
4. The governor may use the state-of-the-state message
a. To publicly veto legislation
b. Only for special sessions of the legislature
c. To present legislative proposals to the legislature
d. All of the above
5. The first woman to serve as governor of Texas was
a. Miriam Ferguson
b. Ann Armstrong
c. Ann Richards
d. Mary Shivers
6. Power in Texas’ executive branch is fragmented because
a. Texas follows the national model of executive organization
b. The framers of the Texas constitution feared a strong executive
c. Real executive power resides with the lieutenant governor
d. Separation of powers does not apply at the state level
7. Which of the following is not a formal qualification for the governor?
a. Attain the age of at least thirty five years
b. Be a United States citizen
c. Be a Texas resident for five years prior to election
d. None of the above; all are formal qualifications
8. Which of the following is not an informal qualification for governor?
a. Be conservative
b. Be male
c. Be at least thirty years of age
d. Be a Republican or Democrat
9. The governor of Texas is elected for a term of
a. Two years with no term limits
b. Four years with no term limits
c. Four years with a two-term limit
d. One six-year with no second term allowed
10.
Compared with other state governors, the formal powers of the governor of
Texas are
a. Very strong for a governor
b. About average for a governor
c. Slightly weaker than other governors
d. Much weaker than other governors
11.
The Texas governor can be removed from office by
a. Impeachment by the house
b. Impeachment by the house and conviction in the senate
c. A recall election
d. The Texas Supreme Court
12.
To prevent adoption of a program, the governor may
a. Threaten a veto
b. Use the item veto
c. Veto the whole bill
d. All of the above
13.
In practice, a veto by the governor is
a. Often overridden
b. Easily overridden, but seldom is
c. Least effective at the end of the session
d. Usually final
14.
If the governor resigns while in office, which of the following becomes governor?
a. Secretary of State
b. Speaker of the House of Representatives
c. Lieutenant Governor
d. Attorney General
15.
A special session of the legislature can be called by
a. The speaker with the permission of the lieutenant governor
b. The two presiding officers of the legislature
c. Only the governor
d. The Texas Supreme Court
16.
Successful pre-session bargaining has which of the following advantages?
a. A bill’s supporters may be assured of the governor’s support
b. The governor need not threaten a veto
c. The political tension is lowered
d. All of the above
17.
The agenda for a special session of the legislature is set by
a. The speaker
b. The governor
c. The lieutenant governor
d. The constitution
18.
In the past, the removal powers of the governor in the executive branch have
been
a. Extensive
b. Almost nonexistent
c. Similar to those powers of the president
d. Limited by the concept of “senatorial courtesy”
19.
Statewide planning activities are to be carried out by
a. The legislature
b. The presiding officers of the legislature
c. The Department of State Planning
d. The governor
20.
If the Lieutenant Governorship becomes vacant, the state senate may
a. Hold an immediate state election to fill the office
b. Elect a senator to act a lieutenant governor until the next election
c. Allow the Speaker of the House to act as lieutenant governor
d. Select a successor with consent of the attorney general
21.
Democratic nominees for governor must forge slippery coalitions from which of
the following groups?
a. Business leaders
b. Ethnic groups
c. Unions
d. All of the above
22.
The governor can, for a cause, remove appointments to boards and commissions
that
a. He has appointed with the consent of the senate
b. He has appointed with the consent of the house
c. He has appointed with the consent of both houses of the legislature
d. Were made by previous governors
23.
The governor of Texas does not have which of the following
a. A general veto
b. An item veto
c. A pocket veto
d. All of the above
Chapter 8 True or False
1. The governor of Texas has strong appointment and removal powers in the executive
branch. T / F
2. The governor of Texas has a weak veto. T / F
3. Ann Richards was the second woman to be governor of Texas. T / F
4. Special sessions of the legislature can only be called by the governor. T / F
5. The pardoning powers of the governor of Texas are weak. T / F
6. The governor gives a state of the state message. T / F
7. The item veto applies to all types of bills. T / F
8. The governor has over three thousand appointments to state boards and
commissions. T / F
9. The governor of Texas has no role as head of party. T / F
10.
A formal power of the governor is the threat of a veto. T / F