One major difference between the u.s. and texas constitutions is that quizlet

Which of the following is a purpose of a constitution?

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What is one major difference between the U.S. and Texas Constitution?
Which of the following is a difference between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution quizlet?
What are the main differences between state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution quizlet?
What does the Texas Constitution have that the U.S. doesn't quizlet?

A. to create a fixed set of rules and norms for governance

B. to create procedures for making laws

C. to outline the day-to-day politicking typically associated with government

D. to describe in detail all the laws of the state

B. to create procedures for making laws

What is one flaw of most constitutions?

A. Most constitutions are not pragmatic enough, and instead focus too heavily on the lofty ideals and traditions of democracy.

B. They are deeply influenced by the historical and cultural context of the time in which they were written.

C. State constitutions often create institutions that are too weak to effectively address modern demands of governing.

D. They are largely sacred symbols rather than functioning documents.

B. They are deeply influenced by the historical and cultural context of the time in which they were written.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison between state constitutions and national constitutions?

A. State constitutions are amended more frequently than national constitutions.

B. State constitutions are typically shorter than national constitutions.

C. National constitutions are more prone to being entirely rewritten.

D. National constitutions are more likely to be amended for relatively unimportant matters.

A. State constitutions are amended more frequently than national constitutions.

Checks and balances

a feature of a political system that gives each branch of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of other branches.

Federalism

the division of power between the national government and state governments.

Whereas the federal constitution divides power into executive, judicial, and legislative branches, states often divide powers among multiple authorities. What is one result of this?

A. State governments are typically more efficient than national governments.

B. There are fewer avenues by which public passions or moods may infiltrate the political process at the state level.

C. Many lower-level officials have shared or overlapping responsibilities.

D. It is easier to determine accountability within state governments.

C. Many lower-level officials have shared or overlapping responsibilities.

Which tool allows citizens to vote on a law in a popular election?

A. veto

B. referendum

C. recall

D. filibustering

B. referendum

What important event occurred in Texas in 1876?

A. The current constitution of Texas was first drafted.

B. Texas became a region within a newly formed Mexican state.

C. Texas, then a Spanish province, joined the state of Coahuila.

D. Texas was governed by the first of seven different constitutions.

A. The current constitution of Texas was first drafted.

Homestead protection

a legal exemption that protects at least part of the value of the homestead (the primary residence owned and lived in by a person or a family) from creditors.

The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas instructed the legislature to promote which of the following initiatives that has persisted into modern times?

A. health care

B. a customs and immigration bureau

C. a bicameral state legislature

D. education

The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas was influenced by several existing constitutions. The division of government powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches was borrowed from which of the following?

A. the Spanish Constitution of 1812

B. the U.S. Constitution

C. the Federalist Papers

D. the Constitution of Mexico

B. the U.S. Constitution

Why does The Handbook of Texas Online say that the constitution of 1845 is the most respected of Texas's constitutions?

A. It was the most progressive constitution.

B. It was simple and direct.

C. It outlined a highly limited government.

D. It had a practical approach to fiscal responsibility.

B. It was simple and direct.

The General Provisions article of the constitution of 1845 concentrated on restricting legislative powers. Which of the following provisions was included in this section?

A. Graduated taxation was required, and occupations could not be taxed above $250 per year.

B. a unicameral legislature

C. Total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion.

D. All judicial positions were filled during a general election, except in the case of midterm abdication, in which case the position would not be appointed until the next election.

C. Total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion.

Texas's becoming the 28th state in the Union caused which of the following events?

A. the adoption of the constitution of 1845

B. the Texas Secession Convention

C. the constitutional convention of 1836

D. the Battle of the Alamo

A. the adoption of the constitution of 1845

The constitution of 1845 gave the powers to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state to which of the following?

A. the supreme court

B. the electorate

C. the governor

D. the bicameral legislature

C. the governor

What event caused the creation of the Confederate Constitution of 1861?

A. Texas became the 28th state in the Union.

B. Texas seceded from the United States.

C. Texans did not approve the constitution of 1845, requiring that a new constitution be authored.

D. The Constitution of the Republic of Texas specified that it be dissolved and rewritten ten years after its adoption.

B. Texas seceded from the United States.

Which previous constitution remained the most influential for the constitution of 1866?

A. the constitution of 1845

B. the constitution of 1827

C. the constitution of 1861

D. the constitution of 1835

A. the constitution of 1845

What was the outcome of the constitutional convention of 1868-1869?

A. a constitution largely written by Democrats and ratified by popular vote, but not approved by the federal government

B. a long, detailed, and incomplete constitution published under military orders and ratified by popular vote

C. a brief constitution, utilizing much of the same wording as the constitution of 1861, and ratified by popular vote

D. an unratified constitution and a schedule for another convention to produce a more acceptable document

B. a long, detailed, and incomplete constitution published under military orders and ratified by popular vote

Which of the following was included among the educational public policies specified in the Radical Republican Constitution of 1869?

A. limits on school spending requiring that the state could spend no more than 1/4 of its general revenue on public schools

B. permanent funds for a new university system

C. compulsory school attendance

D. the creation of a State Board of Education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state

C. compulsory school attendance

The United States government required which of the following in order for Texas to qualify for readmission to the Union?

A. Texas had to pay reparations to former slaves.

B. Texas had to reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of fighting the Civil War.

C. Texas had to finish paying off its Confederate war debt.

D. Texas had to reject laws passed under the Confederacy.

Why did many ordinary citizens dislike the constitution of 1869?

A. It decentralized political power and weakened public institutions.

B. It promoted a conservative social agenda.

C. It had only been approved by a minority of convention delegates.

D. It had been created under pressure from Washington and the Radical Republicans.

The Democratic Party's regaining control of the Texas government precipitated which of the following?

A. high taxes and large government deficits

B. the Constitutional Convention of 1875

C. the promotion of an activist social agenda

D. the constitution of 1869

B. the Constitutional Convention of 1875

What was the effect of the 1875 constitution on the legislature?

A. The legislature was given less time in session with which to deliberate and react to events.

B. The legislature was granted the authority to override the governor's vetoes.

C. The legislature was given an ample supply budget.

D. The legislature was bolstered by substantial wage increases and a large staff.

A. The legislature was given less time in session with which to deliberate and react to events.

Ad valorem taxes

taxes levied in proportion to the assessed value of privately held property such as real estate or motor vehicles.

The Texas Constitution is the second longest of the 50 state constitutions. What is one contributing factor to this?

A. It was written and debated over a long period of time, with care and acute attention to organization.

B. The constitution was meticulously arranged so that amendments could only be added to its end, considerably lengthening the document.

C. A high level of detail is specified in the constitution, including policy matters such as the creation of hospital districts.

D. It has faced almost no repeals since its creation in 1876.

C. A high level of detail is specified in the constitution, including policy matters such as the creation of hospital districts.

What is the end result of the extensive length and disorganization of the Texas Constitution, combined with the framers' refusal to hire a stenographer with public funds?

A. The Texas Constitution is considered a fun challenge by judges and lawyers.

B. The Texas Constitution is extremely difficult to understand.

C. The Texas Constitution accidentally grants powers to individuals and branches of government that should not have these powers.

D. The Texas Constitution serves as a great example of how much high-quality work can be accomplished in a thrifty manner.

B. The Texas Constitution is extremely difficult to understand.

Bill of rights

a list of limits on the powers of government with respect to its treatment of citizens.

The framers support for government regulation of economic and social relationships and fear of potential abuses of authority by holders of public office reflects what political leaning?

A. progressivism

B. anti-authoritarianism

C. frontier populism

D. urban populism

C. frontier populism

How many articles, not including the preamble, are included in the Texas Constitution?

A. 12

B. 22

C. 17

D. 28

C. 17

Double jeopardy

the condition of being tried a second time for an offense for which one has already been acquitted.

The framers of the 1876 Texas Constitution were reacting to perceived abuses by both the national and state governments under the Radical Republicans. How is this reaction reflected in the bill of rights?

A. through particular attention to voting rights and qualifications within the Texas Bill of Rights

B. through a far more extensive bill of rights in the Texas Constitution than the one in the U.S. Constitution

C. through provisions within the bill of rights setting forth procedures and limitations for the state legislature

D. through a series of sweeping generalizations aimed at averting the perceived political dangers of the time

Separation of powers

a functional division of governmental offices and personnel used in U.S. national government and state governments, including that of Texas.

By prohibiting a single individual from exercising powers of more than one branch, the framers accomplished which of the following?

A. ensuring that no law may be passed without going through the right constitutional processes

B. giving primacy to the legislative branch

C. weakening the existing power of the governor

D. ensuring the separation of powers

Which branch of the Texas government was given primacy by the constitution's framers?

A. the executive branch

B. the judicial branch

C. the legislative branch

D. All branches were given equal primacy.

C. the legislative branch

How many executive offices does Article IV outline?

A. three

B. ten

C. twelve

D. seven

Which of the following was done in order to divide authority and disperse the executive branch's ability to actively govern?

A. The constitution specified that a governor would be the chief executive officer of the state.

B. The constitution made six of the seven offices in the executive branch elected.

C. The office of the treasurer was abolished.

D. The executive branch included the office of the lieutenant governor

B. The constitution made six of the seven offices in the executive branch elected.

What mode of selection for the judiciary does the constitution specify?

A. election

B. nomination

C. It does not specify a mode of selection.

D. Some judges are nominated, while others are elected.

A. election

Which of the following courts did the constitution establish?

A. constitutional courts

B. municipal courts

C. probate courts

D. statutory courts

A. constitutional courts

Which was the first constitution in Texas that included language regarding public education?

A. the 1836 Constitution of the Republic of Texas

B. the Texas Constitution of 1845

C. the Texas Constitution of 1866

D. the 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas

How does the Texas Constitution aim to limit the legislature's ability to classify objects for purposes of taxation?

A. by declaring in Article VIII's first sentence that "taxation shall be equal and uniform"

B. by taxing means of transportation such as cars, trucks, and boats

C. by reserving a portion of existing financial resources for public education only

D. by exempting public property used for public purposes from taxation

A. by declaring in Article VIII's first sentence that "taxation shall be equal and uniform

The framers of the Texas Constitution of 1876 considered the formation of counties to be particularly important. What restriction did they place on the legislature's ability to create new counties?

A. County seat locations were not restricted; however, they were required for any county with a population of over 2,000.

B. New counties created from existing counties must be smaller than 700 square miles.

C. New counties could not be created from existing counties, which must be left in their original form.

D. New counties created had to be no smaller than 900 square miles and shaped in a square form unless located along the border.

How many articles of the Texas Constitution are exclusively dedicated to the topic of local government?

A. four

B. three

C. one

D. two

What is one consequence of passing numerous proposed amendments during one election?

A. All amendments may fail due to voter fatigue.

B. Interest groups may be able to bribe politicians to add additional amendments to be voted on.

C. Voters may feel both overwhelmed and uninformed.

D. Campaigns may capitalize on higher voter turnout in order to achieve particular desired policy outcomes.

C. Voters may feel both overwhelmed and uninformed.

A proposal (with support from two-thirds of each chamber of the legislature) and ratification (with support of a majority of citizens) are necessary for which of the following?

A. the adoption of a constitutional amendment

B. the introduction of a bill for legislative consideration

C. the passage of an important bill

D. the adding of an article to the constitution

A. the adoption of a constitutional amendment

What has been the result of the relatively stringent amendment process established by the Texas Constitution?

A. The Texas governor has had to step in to aid in the ratification process.

B. Voters have become particularly knowledgeable about and involved in the amendment process.

C. More than 600 amendments have been proposed, and nearly 500 of these have been ratified.

D. Only a few amendments have had the necessary support to be proposed and ratified.

C. More than 600 amendments have been proposed, and nearly 500 of these have been ratified.

The need to pass amendments in response to other amendments is called what?

A. the vicious cycle of amendments

B. amendment chaining

C. passing fair

D. amendment ad infinitum

B. amendment chaining

Which of the following offers the BEST description of Article XVI of the Texas Constitution?

A. It is a brief and focused article that addresses the balance of power among the three branches of government.

B. It contains a variety of specific policy items that could have been better placed in other parts of the constitution.

C. It contains a variety of specific policy items that simply did not fit anywhere else in the constitution.

D. It is a lengthy and detailed article that defines the relationship between the state and the federal government.

B. It contains a variety of specific policy items that could have been better placed in other parts of the constitution.

What happened to the document created during the constitutional convention of 1974?

A. It was submitted to voters for ratification and received approval.

B. It failed to receive enough legislative votes to go to the electorate for ratification.

C. It was submitted to voters for ratification, but did not receive adequate votes to be ratified.

D. It was defeated in a special election and declared "dead for the foreseeable future."

B. It failed to receive enough legislative votes to go to the electorate for ratification.

What was the "Missouri Plan" included in the 1975 proposed revision to the Texas Constitution?

A. a partisan commission assembled by the governor with the mission of recruiting new businesses and cultivating economic opportunities for the state

B. a nonpartisan commission that works with the school board to improve state educational standards, including managing statewide mandatory testing

C. a nonpartisan commission that reviews candidates for a judicial vacancy, then allows the governor to select appointees from an approved list

D. a partisan commission formed by the legislature to provide policy advice to the governor's office and to help coordinate policy goals between the two branches of government

C. a nonpartisan commission that reviews candidates for a judicial vacancy, then allows the governor to select appointees from an approved list

When was the most recent attempt to propose a new constitution for the state of Texas?

A. 1998

B. 1979

C. 1987

D. 1974

A. 1998

What is one major difference between the U.S. and Texas Constitution?

The two constitutions are also very different. The U.S. Constitution increases government power, because the earlier government was too decentralized and not powerful enough. The Texas Constitution limits government action. The U.S. Constitution is brief and vague, which allows a broad interpretation.

Which of the following is a difference between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution quizlet?

Which of the following is a difference between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution? Unlike the U.S. Constitution, which has less than 8,000 words, the Texas Constitution, at over 80,000 words, is very long.

What are the main differences between state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution quizlet?

State constitutions are longer and more detailed than the U.S.Constitution, and their bill of rights ofter include new and expanded rights not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.