Question 1

A ____ tax is a tax levied on the removal of natural resources (especially oil and gas)from the earth.

Accepted Answer

A severance tax is a tax placed on non-renewable resources being removed from the earth, such as oil and gas. The tax is typically levied on the entity that is removing the resource, such as an oil company, and is based on the volume or value of the resource being removed.

Question 2

Texas ranked ____ among the fifty states in per capita expenditures for welfare services.

Accepted Answer

Texas ranked forty-eighth among the fifty states in per capita expenditures for welfare services, indicating it spends relatively less on welfare compared to most other states.

Question 3

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the following types of taxes: general sales tax,motor fuels tax,excise tax,and tobacco tax.Explain which is the most important for Texas politics and why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each...

Question 4

Since 1977,the percentage of money spent by the state on highway expenditures has

Accepted Answer

The answer of Since 1977,the percentage of money spent by...

Question 5

Discuss the likelihood that Texas will adopt a personal income tax in the near future.Explain the state's reluctance to consider an income tax and the factors that might make the adoption of an income tax more likely now than in the past.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the likelihood that Texas will adopt...

Question 6

The two state agencies that play a major role in the initial formulation of the budget are the Budget,Planning,and Policy Division and the

Accepted Answer

The Budget, Planning, and Policy Division works with agencies to develop their budget requests, but it is the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) that plays a major role in the initial formulation of the budget. The LBB provides guidance to agencies on budget development and works with the Governor's Office to establish the budget instructions that agencies must follow in preparing their requests. Additionally, the LBB is responsible for preparing budget recommendations for the Legislature to consider during the budget process.

Question 7

Which of the following types of tax does Texas not have?

Accepted Answer

Texas does not have a personal income tax. It is one of the nine states that do not have this type of tax.

Question 8

The second-largest functional category of state spending in Texas is

Accepted Answer

According to the Texas Comptroller's office, health and human services is the second-largest functional category of state spending in Texas, after education. This includes programs such as Medicaid, child protective services, mental health services, and public health initiatives.

Question 9

Discuss the difference between a progressive and a regressive system of taxation.Explain how Texas's tax system functions with regard to progressivity and regressivity.Describe what changes,if any,you would recommend be made to Texas's system in order to improve it from the standpoint of fairness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the difference between a progressive and...

Question 10

The legislative appointee responsible for monitoring the expenditures of state agencies is the

Accepted Answer

The legislative appointee responsible for monitoring the expenditures of state agencies is the state auditor. This is because state auditors are responsible for ensuring government accountability by conducting audits and keeping track of financial records of state agencies. State comptrollers are responsible for managing the state's finances and conducting audits of local governments. State treasurers are responsible for managing the state's investments and cash flow. The secretary of state is responsible for managing state elections and maintaining state records. The attorney general is responsible for providing legal advice and representing the state in legal matters.

Question 11

Explain why Texas often has had problems generating adequate revenues to support state programs in recent years.Explain how the state has responded to the problems of revenue shortfalls.Propose a solution to the potential future problems of government revenue.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why Texas often has had problems...

Question 12

The taxes Texas levies on tobacco products,alcoholic beverages,and gasoline are known as ____ taxes.

Accepted Answer

Excise or selective sales taxes are levied on specific goods or services, such as tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and gasoline. Corporation franchise taxes are levied on corporations, general sales taxes are levied on most goods and services, gross receipts taxes are levied on businesses' total income, and severance taxes are levied on the extraction of natural resources.

Question 13

Describe the process of budgeting and appropriating funds for government programs in Texas.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the dual-budgeting system as it operates in Texas.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the process of budgeting and appropriating...

Question 14

The largest single functional category of state spending in Texas is

Accepted Answer

According to the 2020-2021 Texas state budget, the largest single functional category of state spending is education, with a total budget of $60.2 billion. This includes funding for public education, higher education, and other related programs. Health and human services come in second at $48.8 billion, followed by public safety and corrections at $17.7 billion. Therefore, education is the best choice.

Question 15

About ____ percent of the $40 billion state budget for health and human services is funded by the national government.

Accepted Answer

The question asks what percentage of the $40 billion state budget for health and human services is funded by the national government. Since the answer choices are percentages, we need to convert $40 billion into a percentage. To do this, we divide the amount funded by the national government by the total budget and then multiply by 100. 
So, if the national government funds 60% of the $40 billion state budget, they would be contributing $24 billion and the state would be contributing $16 billion. This is the only answer choice that reflects this calculation. Therefore, the answer is D) 60.

Quiz 12: The State Economy and the Financing of State Government

A ____ tax is a tax levied on the removal of natural resources (especially oil and gas) from the earth.