Multiple Choice

[Skip Breadcrumb Navigation]

Home

Student Resources

Chapter 21: The New Face of State and Local Government

Multiple Choice

This activity contains 20 questions.

A form of direct democracy in which the legislature sends a bill to the voters instead of the governor for approval is called a

	legislative initiative.
	recall.
	referendum.
	popular initiative.

An unintended consequence of at-large representation in city councils is that

	the mayor's power has increased dramatically.
	the number of committees in the council has grown.
	minority group members have had difficulty gaining election.
	the role of the city council has diminished.

Councils of governments

	are usually well funded.
	lack any real legislative power.
	have large staffs.
	are found in most metropolitan areas.

Democracy at the state and local levels may suffer because

	politics at the state level is poorly covered by the media.
	term limits may constrain voter choice.
	business interests have substantial leverage in state and city affairs.
	all of the above

In recent years gubernatorial elections have become

	less important.
	linked to presidential elections.
	more personalized.
	less dependent on money.

In recent years state legislatures have been characterized by

	increased party competition.
	divided government.
	majority party switching.
	all of the above

In the Merit Plan, judges are selected on the basis of

	competitive partisan election.
	recommendation by the state bar or other officials.
	competitive nonpartisan election.
	patronage.

Legislative professionalism reform has included

	lengthening legislative sessions.
	increasing legislators' salaries.
	increasing the staff available to help legislators.
	all of the above

Local governments receive their revenues from

	taxes.
	user charges.
	intergovernmental aid.
	all of the above

Most basic local programs and services are provided by

	municipalities.
	townships.
	school districts.
	special districts.

Public policy is usually made in county governments by

	a county commission.
	row officers.
	a county administrator.
	the state.

Sunset legislation is designed to

	increase democratic participation in state governments.
	appropriate money for state budgets.
	control the growth of state governments.
	create new programs and agencies in the states.

The fastest-growing form of local government is the

	county.
	municipality.
	township.
	special district.

The idea that local governments have only those powers that are explicitly given to them by the states is called

	Dillon's Rule.
	Merit Plan.
	Local Rule.
	State Rule.

The individual who is next in line to succeed the governor is called the

	vice governor.
	lieutenant governor.
	secretary of state.
	state commissioner.

The largest percentage of state money goes to

	aid local governments.
	education.
	operate state programs.
	finance loans.

The most common method used by states to amend their constitution is the

	legislative proposal.
	constitutional convention.
	popular initiative.
	federal directive.

The primary initiator of public policy in the states is

	interest groups.
	the speaker of the assembly.
	legislative committee heads.
	the governor.

The state courts that have taken on many of the functions of specialized courts are

	court of appeals.
	court of last resort.
	trial courts.
	circuit courts.

Two important characteristics of sub-national governments today are

	conservatism and unity.
	revitalization and diversity.
	innovation and dominance.
	stagnation and indifference.

The Submit Answers for Grading feature requires scripting to function. Your browser either does not support scripting or you have turned scripting off.

So, the Submit Answers for Grading button below will not work.

The following Submit Answers for Grading button is provided in its place and will clear your answers:
The Clear Answers and Start Over feature requires scripting to function. Your browser either does not support scripting or you have turned scripting off.

So, the Clear Answers and Start Over button below will not work.

The following Clear Answers button is provided in its place and will clear your answers:

[Return to the Top of this Page]