Texas Governemnt 2306 Exam 2 Review

Front 1

Describe an interest group.

Back 1

-organization established to influence the government's programs and policies

-can be set up to serve the interests of a small number of people concerner with 1 particular interest

-can be set up to serve the interests of a group with broad interests

-some interest groups are established to represent tje common interests of business/labor groups (like unions)

Front 2

What do interest groups want from policy makers?

Back 2

policy that is beneficial for their group

Front 3

The practice of combining several individual campaign contributions into one larger contribution from a group in order to increase the group's impact is known as-

Back 3

bundling

Front 4

The largest and most effective public employee interest group in Texas is made up of-

Back 4

public school teachers

Front 5

One important way for interest groups to gain access to those in Texas government is to employ who as lobbyists?

Back 5

former officials

Front 6

Texas has what kind of laws dealing with lobbying by former government officals?

Back 6

weak

Front 7

A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a-

Back 7

political action committee

Front 8

Texas trial lawyers frequently ally with-

Back 8

consumer interests

Front 9

*Most political action committee spending in Texas represents-

Back 9

*campaign contributions

Front 10

If an interests group "gets on the late train," it means-

Back 10

a candidate it opposed won the election and now they must make a substantial political contribution to the winning candidate whom they formerly opposed

Front 11

What is the function of EMILY's List?

Back 11

it develops relationships with candidates and legislators by providing early contributions to female candidates

Front 12

Which U.S. Supree Court case in 2009 created the opportunity for organizations that opposed powerful incumbents without having to disclose the donors?

Back 12

Citizens United vs. Fderal Election Commission

Front 13

In Texas, what kinds of issues provoke intense partisan battles?

Back 13

social issues

Front 14

In the Texas legislature, the House has ___ members and the Senate has ___ members.

Back 14

150; 31

Front 15

Texas senators must serve ___-year terms and House members serve ___-year terms.

Back 15

4; 2

Front 16

One of the notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it-

Back 16

-must be voted on by 2 bodues (House & Senate) to be passed

-author of bill can accept/reject amendments from other body

-allows members to retaliate against a member of either body not cooperating

Front 17

For how long does the Texas legislature meet?

Back 17

140 days of regular session biennially

Front 18

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the-

Back 18

governor

Front 19

In 2004 and 2005, three special sessions were called in the Texas legislature to deal with-

Back 19

school finance

Front 20

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a-

Back 20

local bill

Front 21

*What is the main difference between a bill and a resolution?

Back 21

a resolution must be passed unanimously, but a bill only needs a majrity.

-a bill is a proposed law sponsored by a member if the legislature and submitted to a House/Senate clerk

-a resolution is an expression of opinion on an issue by a legislative body

Front 22

In Texas, who can write a bill?

Back 22

anyone can write a bill, but only legislative members can introduce a bill

Front 23

In the Texas legislature, when a committee pigeonholes a bill, what happens?

Back 23

a committee chair sets the bill aside and never brings it up before the committee

Front 24

In Texas, why is the governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful?

Back 24

it's a great bargaining tool, the governor can threaten to veto unless changes are made in a bill

Front 25

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so inportant to the legislature?

Back 25

he issues revenue estimates to inform the legislature pf the amount of money it can spend in the next two years

Front 26

How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?

Back 26

he is elected by members of the House at the beginning of the regular session

Front 27

Legislative districts in the Tecas House and Senate are-

Back 27

-represented by single-member districts

-supposed to be drawn using the one-person, one-vote principle

Front 28

*Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?

Back 28

federal courts

Front 29

Governors can be quite powerful in spite of weakness of the office by doing all of the following-

Back 29

-use the limited formal powers available to them

-exercise their personal political power

-exploit the prestige of the office of governor

-marshal various special interests to their cause

Front 30

What is the Texas governor's most significant and far-reaching power?

Back 30

power of appointment

Front 31

The governor has some control over the final appropriations bill through the use of the ______ veto.

Back 31

line-item veto

Front 32

Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?

Back 32

declaring martial law in event of disaster (riot, flood, etc.)

Front 33

What makes the greatest difference between strong and weak governors of Texas?

Back 33

actively trying to lead/having a dynamic personality

Front 34

In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is NOT elected by voters?

Back 34

secretary of state

Front 35

The chief lawyer for Texas is the-

Back 35

attorney general

Front 36

The _____ is the oldest state agency in Texas.

Back 36

the General Land Office (GLO)

Front 37

Thice office in charged with ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures?

Back 37

department of agriculture

Front 38

Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the _____ in 2005.

Back 38

Texas Department of Transportation

Front 39

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

Back 39

the SAC reviews the effectiveness of state agencies; every 12 years state agencies must justify their existence to the SAC

Front 40

Describe some of the different types of interest groups operating in Texas. Which ones have been the most influential? What are some interests that have been underrepresented in Texas?

Back 40

There are a plethora of interests groups in Texas. The Texas Medical Association is one of the most influential professional groups in Texas and they represent the interests of doctors in the state government. Other profession groups represent accountants, lawyers, and dentists. Public school teachers may be the largest and most-effective of the public-employee interest groups which include representations of police officers and fire fighters. There are also civil rights groups like the NAACP that remain sucessful by mobilizing public opinion and influecing the media in a busniness interest-heavy political system. Groups that try to promote consumer, enviromental, and general public issues like Public Citizens, The Sierra Club, and Common Cause have been underrepresented in Texas.

Front 41

Does the increase in partisanship put the minority party at a bigger disadvantage when it comes to influencing legislation? Do the Texas legislature's presiding officers have too much power?

Back 41

The increase in partisanship puts the minority party as a biger disadvantage when it comes to influencing the legislature because a continuing increase in bias towards one's party affiliation decreases the willingness to compromise. If that truly is the case, then legislative presiding officers may have too much power since they play a key role in voting on potential new members.

Front 42

The office of Texas Governor is one of the weakest in the nation. Why is this the case? What are some of the limitations that the Texas Constitution pplaces on the governor? What are some of the informal powers the governor may use to bolster the power of the office?

Back 42

The office of Texas governor is one of the weakest in the nation because is was viewed as very oppressive and corrupt during the reconstruction era. The Constitution of 1876, a reaction to the state government of te time, was intended to ensure that no state official had extensive power. It placed strict limits on appointment and budgetary powers. However, he may informally appoint people to work with him on pubic policy and create a working relationship with the Lt. governor to see that his agenda is heard in the legislature (message power).

Front 43

How can the governor's session-calling powers be used to influence the legislative process?

Back 43

The governor has the power to set the agenda for special sessions so the legislature must address and focus on his specifically-set topic until a compromise of some kind is reached. He can also threaten an line-item veto.