Fiscal
What is fiscal policy?
How does our constitution limit the exec. branch?
Plural executive, seperation of powers
What are the two lowest courts?
Municipal and Justice of the Peace
What is gerrymandering?
Drawing voting districts in such a way as to favor one group of people
Who is the main driving force behing fiscal policy in Texas?
The Governor
What is a tax expenditure?
a tax benefit that benefits certain groups of taxpayers
Why do we like a seperation of powers?
Less corruption.
What are some pros and cons of electing judges in Texas?
It costs lots of money to run
Can be influenced by "lobbying"
Justice is for sale
Is racial gerrymandering constitutional?
NO
How many days does the legislative session last?
140
What is a regressive tax? Give me an example.
A regressive tax is a tax that affects everyone the same way. Ex: everyone has to pay sales tax between 6.25 and 8.25%.
What is a bureaucrat?
What are the two highest courts?
Court of Criminal Appeals and the Supreme Court
Who does gerrymandering benefit the most?
The political party in power at the time of redistricting.
During the first 60 days of the legislative session, __ cannot happen.
Voting, unless the governor has declared an emergency item.
About 30%, it goes to transport, health, and education
What is the plural executive?
It means that the power of the governor is distributed among other officials and offices.
Why is our court system so complicated?
It was built in the 1800s
It has been expanded as needed (it needs to be rebuilt)
There are just so many courts
What is packing?
What are appropriations?
How much money an agency gets.
What does the comptroller do in the budget cycle?
Power of the purse: They verify that we have money, and they sign the final budget bill.
Who is second-in-command to the governor?
Incarceration disporoprionately affects the ___ class (economic strata)
Lower to poor class
What is cracking?
What is an example of a state-level tax, and what is an example of a town/city level tax?