Govt 2302 Lesson 4: The Legislative Process In Texas

Front 1

4.3
An effort to force the withdrawal of a controversial bill through the use of the unlimited privileges of debate in the Senate is called a ________
A. cloture motion.
B. consent decree.
C. filibuster.
D. gerrymander
E. none of the above.

Back 1

C. filibuster

Front 2

4-14
Bankers and moneylenders in Texas _________
A. were opposed to home equity loans.
B. favored home equity loans.
C. would not present their opinions.
D. worked with realtors to defeat passage of any changes.

Back 2

B. favored home equity loans.

Front 3

4-13
Parliamentary procedures enable ________
A. the speaker and lieutenant governor to control the legislative process.
B. legislators to call for points of order if they find that bills have not been processed correctly.
C. legislators to move bills out of unfriendly committees.
D. both B and C.

Back 3

D. both B and C.

Front 4

4-12
The benefit of abiding by "unwritten rules" is _____
A. name-calling without having to pay any penalties.
B. greater independence.
C. a certain level of mutual respect.
D. the ability to filibuster.

Back 4

C. a certain level of mutual respect.

Front 5

4-11
The bill to limit children's access to tobacco _______
A. generated very little publicity.
B. had little resistance from the tobacco lobby.
C. was wanted and lobbied for heavily by the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Kids.
D. was killed by a filibuster.

Back 5

C. was wanted and lobbied for heavily by the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Front 6

4-1
Which of the following forms of legislative action is used by the Texas legislature to propose constitutional amendments?
A. Bill
B. Simple Resolution
C. Concurrent Resolution
D. Joint Resolution
E. None of the above

Back 6

D. Joint Resolution

Front 7

4-2
Which of the following types of legislation may not originate in the Texas Senate?
A. Education bills
B. Revenue bills
C. Local bills
D. Welfare bills

Back 7

B. Revenue Bills

Front 8

4-4
Differences between bills passed by the House and Senate are resolved by what type of committee?
A. Standing
B. Select
C. Joint
D. Conference
E. Rules

Back 8

D. Conference

Front 9

4-5
The public often criticizes legislators for being unprincipled, apparently because it does not understand the role of ______ in the political system.
A. interest groups
B. morality
C. compromise
D. money
E. none of the above

Back 9

C. compromise

Front 10

4-9
Most critical for a bill's chance of success is _______
A. a bill that is controversial
B. a favorable committee assignment
C. a sponsor who has a political agenda.
D. a public hearing.

Back 10

B. a favorable committee assignment.

Front 11

4-8
Whose opinions have the force of law unless they are successfully challenged in court?
A. Governor
B. Lieutenant governor
C. Speaker
D. Attorney general
E. Comptroller

Back 11

D. Attorney general

Front 12

4-6
In recent years, the legislature in Texas ______
A. has become more rural and more Democratic.
B. has become more alike in both Houses.
C. has become more liberal and Republican.
D. has become more urban and mnore Republican.
E. none of the above.

Back 12

D. has become more urban and more Republican.

Front 13

4-10
The Senate Health and Human Services Committtee ______
A. conducted interim studies.
B. held hearings.
C. reported a bill to limit children's access to tobacco.
D. all of the above.

Back 13

D. all of the above.

Front 14

4-7
Which of the following is not among the reforms recommended for the Texas legislature by the authors of the text?
A. Reducing the number of committees
B. Establishing a joint budget committee
C. Providing more professional committee staff
D. adopting a stricter seniority rule for committee membership
E. Curbing the influence of the lobby

Back 14

D. Adopting a stricter seniority rule for committee membership