POLS 1433
American/Texas Government
Final Exam Review Sheet Spring 2014
Make sure you also know all the bold-faced words in the text.
1. Describe the structure of the Texas Legislature.
2. Describe the nature of leadership power in the Texas Legislature.
3. Describe redistricting; the role the Texas Legislature plays in this process, and the
redistricting controversy that took place in 2000-2002.
4. Explain why the Texas governor is considered weak.
5. Explain the plural executive, including which offices make up the plural executive.
6. Why does the plural executive weaken the governor’s power?
7. Describe the formal powers of the Texas governor.
8. Describe the informal powers of the Texas governor.
9. What must a governor do to be successful in Texas politics?
10. Describe the process for impeaching and removing a Texas executive official from office.
11. Describe the legislative powers of the Texas governor.
12. Describe the judicial powers of the Texas governor.
13. Why is the Comptroller of Public Accounts so important to Texas politics?
14. Describe the different types of boards, commissions, and regulatory agencies that
encompass the Texas executive.
15. Explain the differences between appellate and trial courts.
16. Describe the Texas court structure.
17. Explain the differences between civil law and criminal law.
18. Fully describe the controversy regarding the election of judges vs. the appointment of
judges. Which do you think is a better method for judicial selection?
19. Describe the different parts of the County Commissioner’s Court.
20. What are the functions of city government?
21. Describe the three major forms of city government.
22. What are special districts?
23. Describe school districts in Texas.
24. What are the characteristics of special districts?
25. Describe Councils of Government?