County & City Government
The number of counties in the state of Texas
254
A type of Texas city organized under state statutes with limited powers
General-law city
The type of budget the Texas Constitution requires the state to maintain
Balanced budget
The first stage of the public policy-making process, when a problem is recognized and defined
Problem identification
A serious criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence or a fine
Felony
The county official who serves as the chief law enforcement officer and oversees the county jail
Sheriff
A unit of local government created to provide a specific service, such as education or flood control
Special purpose district
The state's primary nondedicated operating fund
General Revenue Fund
The stage of the policy-making process when policy goals are put into action
Implementation
The Texas agency responsible for statewide law enforcement and issuing driver’s licenses
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
The main county governing body responsible for setting the county tax rate and budget
County commissioners’ court
The primary source of revenue for special purpose districts in Texas
Property taxes
A type of tax Texas does not impose on individuals
State personal income tax
The Texas statewide assessments used to measure student academic performance
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness)
A punishment that allows an offender to remain in the community under rules and supervision instead of being imprisoned
Probation
The elected official who presides over the county commissioners’ court
County judge
The most important single tax used to finance Texas state government
State sales tax
The common name for the Texas Economic Stabilization Fund
Rainy Day Fund
The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled state-imposed school segregation unconstitutional
Brown v. Board of Education
The group that determines whether enough evidence exists to justify bringing a criminal case to trial
Grand jury
The hired professional responsible for executive and administrative functions in a council-manager city
City manager
The group that carries a heavier tax burden under Texas’s regressive tax system
Lower-income individuals
The constitutional rule requiring the General Revenue budget to remain within projected available revenue
Pay-as-you-go limit
The program described in the outline that allows state funding to help parents choose private schools for their children
Education savings accounts (ESAs)
A negotiated agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a reduced charge or sentence
Plea bargaining