Chapt 25 Govt.

Front 1

Quasi-Judicial Functions

Back 1

Actions by abranch other than the courts that involve interpreting the law.

Front 2

Quasi-Legislative Function

Back 2

Legislative actions by entities other than the legislature; for example, exec. branch agencies adopting rules and regulations that are binding on citizens.

Front 3

Indictment

Back 3

A formal accusation issued by a grand jury against a party charged with crime when the jury determines that there is sufficient evidence to bring the accused to trial.

Front 4

Informal Powers

Back 4

Powers not directly granted by law. The governor's informal poers may follow from powers granted by law but may also come from the governor's persuasive abilities, which are affected by the gov's peronality, popularity and politica support.

Front 5

Chief of State

Back 5

Nationally, the head of state- the president of the US, for example. In TX and other states, the gov. who serves as the symbol of the state and performs ceremonial duties-is the chief of state.

Front 6

Threat to Veto

Back 6

An informal power by which a state gov. (or the US persident) threatens to veto legislation so as to affect the content of the legislation while it is still in legislature.

Front 7

Presession Bargaining

Back 7

In TX, and other states, negotiation that lets the governor and legislative leaders reach compromises on particular bills before the bargaining og the legislative session. This usually ensures the passage of the bills.

Front 8

Message Power

Back 8

The ability of a governor (or US president) to focus the attention of the press, legislators, and citizens on legislative proposal that he or she considers important. The visibility of the office gives the chief executive instant public attention.

Front 9

Blue Ribbon Commission

Back 9

A commission composed of public personalities or authorities on the subject that is being considered. In TX, such a commission may have both fact finding and recommending authority.

Front 10

Boards and Commission

Back 10

In TX, bodies consisting of 3 to 18 members that supervise most state agencies.

Front 11

Adjutant General

Back 11

The principal staff officer of an army, who passes communication to the commanding general and distributes the general's orders to subordinates. In teh example of the TX National Guard and TX Staet Guard, the "commanding general" is the governor. Adjutant comes from a Latin word meaning "helper."

Front 12

Clemency

Back 12

Relief from criminal punishment granted by an executive. In TX, the power of the governor to grant clemency is strictly limited.

Front 13

Attorney General's Opinion

Back 13

An interpretation of the state's constit. or laws by the state attorney general. Officials may request such opinions, and although the opinions are not legally binding, they are usually followed.

Front 14

Permanent School Fund

Back 14

In TX, a fund that provides support to the public school system. Leases, rents, and royalities from designated public school lands are deposited into the fund.

Front 15

Administrative Law

Back 15

Rules and regulations written by administrators to implement laws. The effectiveness of a law is often determined by how the corresponding administrative law is written.

Front 16

Intrastate

Back 16

Within the state.

Front 17

Interstate

Back 17

Between two states.

Front 18

Clientele

Back 18

Persons represented by a govt. agency or politician.

Front 19

Revolving Door

Back 19

The interchange of employees among the legislature, govt. agencies and related private special-interest groups.

Front 20

Iron Texas Star

Back 20

The TX version of the iron triangle. A policy making coalition that includes interest groups; the lt. governor, and the speaker of the house; standing committees of the legislature; the governor; and the administrators, boards and commissions.

Front 21

The National Iron Triangle

Back 21

Intereste groups, Legislative Committees and Administrative Agencies.

Front 22

Elective Accountability

Back 22

A condition in which officials are directly accountable to the voters for their actions.

Front 23

Cabinet System

Back 23

At the state govt. level, a form of executive organization that allows the governor to appoint and remove top level administrators giving the governor more control over the admin.

Front 24

Open Meeting Law

Back 24

A law that requires meetings of government decision making bodies to be open to oublic scrutiny (with some exceptions).

Front 25

Open Records Law

Back 25

A law requiring that records of all govt. proceeding and decisions are made available to the public.