A2 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS STRUCTURES
POLICIES ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What does Dillon's Rule state about local governments?
Answer: Local governments have only those powers granted to them
by the state.
◉ What is the significance of the Tenth Amendment in relation to
state powers?
Answer: It reserves powers not delegated to the national
government for the states or the people.
◉ What are the two main functions of local governments?
Answer: Service Function (providing services) and Political Function
(managing public policy conflicts).
◉ What is a General Purpose government?
Answer: Governments that provide a wide range of services, such as
counties and municipalities.
,◉ What is a Special Purpose government?
Answer: Governments that fulfill specific functions, such as fire
protection or library services.
◉ How many counties are there in Texas?
Answer: 254 counties.
◉ What is the traditional structure of county government in Texas?
Answer: A commissioners' court with elected commissioners and a
county judge.
◉ What is the role of a county executive in the Council-Executive
form of county government?
Answer: Acts as the chief executive, while the board of
commissioners acts as the legislature.
◉ What is the Commission-Administrator form of county
government?
Answer: A professionalized structure where an administrator
oversees service delivery under elected commissioners.
◉ What does 'home rule' allow counties to do?
Answer: Adopt a charter that grants them more autonomy from
state government.
,◉ What is the primary function of special districts?
Answer: To serve a single specific purpose, such as mosquito control
or fire protection.
◉ What is the relationship between state and local governments?
Answer: Local governments are political subdivisions of states and
derive their authority from state governments.
◉ What does the term 'Death Star Bill' refer to?
Answer: Texas legislation aimed at restricting the powers of local
governments.
◉ What is the main difference between general-purpose and special-
purpose governments?
Answer: General-purpose governments provide a wide range of
services, while special-purpose governments focus on specific
functions.
◉ What is the primary service provided by county governments?
Answer: Law enforcement, courts, public health, and road
maintenance.
◉ What is the role of school districts in local governance?
, Answer: They are major local taxing authorities that provide
education services.
◉ What does the U.S. Constitution say about local governments?
Answer: It does not mention local governments, leaving their
structure and powers to the states.
◉ What is the significance of Hunter v. Pittsburgh (1907)?
Answer: It cited Dillon's Rule in establishing the narrow
interpretation of local authority.
◉ What trend is observed in U.S. local governments?
Answer: Increasing urbanization and demand for more services.
◉ What is the primary challenge faced by special districts?
Answer: They are often the least understood and least transparent
form of government.
◉ What is the typical size of a county board in the U.S.?
Answer: Typically ranges from 3 to 50 members.
◉ What is a dual role of counties in Texas?
POLICIES ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What does Dillon's Rule state about local governments?
Answer: Local governments have only those powers granted to them
by the state.
◉ What is the significance of the Tenth Amendment in relation to
state powers?
Answer: It reserves powers not delegated to the national
government for the states or the people.
◉ What are the two main functions of local governments?
Answer: Service Function (providing services) and Political Function
(managing public policy conflicts).
◉ What is a General Purpose government?
Answer: Governments that provide a wide range of services, such as
counties and municipalities.
,◉ What is a Special Purpose government?
Answer: Governments that fulfill specific functions, such as fire
protection or library services.
◉ How many counties are there in Texas?
Answer: 254 counties.
◉ What is the traditional structure of county government in Texas?
Answer: A commissioners' court with elected commissioners and a
county judge.
◉ What is the role of a county executive in the Council-Executive
form of county government?
Answer: Acts as the chief executive, while the board of
commissioners acts as the legislature.
◉ What is the Commission-Administrator form of county
government?
Answer: A professionalized structure where an administrator
oversees service delivery under elected commissioners.
◉ What does 'home rule' allow counties to do?
Answer: Adopt a charter that grants them more autonomy from
state government.
,◉ What is the primary function of special districts?
Answer: To serve a single specific purpose, such as mosquito control
or fire protection.
◉ What is the relationship between state and local governments?
Answer: Local governments are political subdivisions of states and
derive their authority from state governments.
◉ What does the term 'Death Star Bill' refer to?
Answer: Texas legislation aimed at restricting the powers of local
governments.
◉ What is the main difference between general-purpose and special-
purpose governments?
Answer: General-purpose governments provide a wide range of
services, while special-purpose governments focus on specific
functions.
◉ What is the primary service provided by county governments?
Answer: Law enforcement, courts, public health, and road
maintenance.
◉ What is the role of school districts in local governance?
, Answer: They are major local taxing authorities that provide
education services.
◉ What does the U.S. Constitution say about local governments?
Answer: It does not mention local governments, leaving their
structure and powers to the states.
◉ What is the significance of Hunter v. Pittsburgh (1907)?
Answer: It cited Dillon's Rule in establishing the narrow
interpretation of local authority.
◉ What trend is observed in U.S. local governments?
Answer: Increasing urbanization and demand for more services.
◉ What is the primary challenge faced by special districts?
Answer: They are often the least understood and least transparent
form of government.
◉ What is the typical size of a county board in the U.S.?
Answer: Typically ranges from 3 to 50 members.
◉ What is a dual role of counties in Texas?
