TX POLITICS LEGISLATURE

Question 1

What are the two central functions of the Texas Legislature? Choose the BEST answer.

Answer 1

to allow the representation of various interests and to provide a forum where parties with conflicting goals can reconcile their differences through the lawmaking process

Question 2

What is a bicameral legislature?

Answer 2

a legislature with two chambers

Question 3

What is the difference between house and senate representation in Texas?

Answer 3

Legislators in the house represent smaller districts with fewer constituents and have shorter terms than senators.

Question 4

Which of the following BEST describes the power dynamic among the three branches of Texas government?

Answer 4

All three branches of Texas government were designed to be weak, with the legislative branch the least weak of the three.

Question 5

How frequently does the Texas Legislature meet?

Answer 5

140 days every other year

Question 6

At the end of the last day of a legislative session, what happens to legislation that has not been approved by both houses?

Answer 6

legislation is dead

Question 7

The governor may use the threat of a special session to what purpose?

Answer 7

to incentivize the legislature to focus on policy areas of concern to the governor

Question 8

How many legislators does Texas have?

Answer 8

181

Question 9

Why were single-member districts uniformly implemented for the 1972 elections?

Answer 9

The previous system was detrimental to the voting strength of minorities.

Question 10

How long are the terms of members of the Texas House of Representatives?

Answer 10

2 years

Question 11

How often does Texas go through the redistricting process?

Answer 11

Every 10 years

Question 12

What is the purpose of staggering terms of office for senators? Choose the BEST answer.

Answer 12

It prevents the disruption that a political or economic upheaval might cause the chamber.

Question 13

According to the text, what is an effect of having “citizen legislators” who maintain careers outside of their jobs as public officials?

Answer 13

The system creates potential conflicts of interest in which legislators may advocate for measures that benefit their own business interests.

Question 14

he diversification of the state’s economy, the growth of cities, and national political party transformation have all contributed to which of the following?

Answer 14

the increasing diversity in the Texas legislature

Question 15

Which of the following made it easier for minorities to participate in politics and drove many conservative, white Texans to join the Republican Party?

Answer 15

the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965

Question 16

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed a measure that cut funding for family-planning programs by two-thirds. What demographic characteristics of the legislature might have played a role in this policy decision?

Answer 16

the lack of female representation in both chambers

Question 17

Which of the following Texans would qualify for a position in the Texas Senate?

Answer 17

a 55-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for six years and her district for five years. In order to run for the Texas Senate, a person must be at least 26 years old, must have lived in Texas for at least five years, must have lived in his or her district for at least one year, and must be a U.S. citizen.

Question 18

What is one factor that causes incumbents to be reelected at such high rates?

Answer 18

Voters tend to select candidates whose names they recognize on the ballot.

Question 19

The 2010 elections saw incumbents being defeated at higher rates than normal due to which of the following?

Answer 19

Rise of Tea Party

Question 20

Which of the following is the principal power of the legislature?

Answer 20

power to make laws

Question 21

What are the three types of bills that may be introduced?

Answer 21

general, special, local

Question 22

How does a concurrent resolution differ from a law?

Answer 22

A concurrent resolution is a formal statement of opinion but does not carry the force of law.

Question 23

Which branch impeaches, and which branch tries the case?

Answer 23

The house of representatives may impeach, and the senate tries the case.

Question 24

What does it mean that legislators have certain “immunities”?

Answer 24

They cannot be sued for slander or otherwise held accountable for statements made during legislative proceedings.

Question 25

What is the primary purpose of redistricting?

Answer 25

to balance the population and voting power among districts

Question 26

Who is responsible for redrawing congressional and legislative districts?

Answer 26

state legislature

Question 27

Which of the following statements BEST explains why the legislature takes redistricting seriously?

Answer 27

The success or failure of a redistricting plan can have a great impact on legislators’ reelection prospects.

Question 28

Which of the following makes the lieutenant governor such a powerful figure in the legislature?

Answer 28

The lieutenant governor can assign bills to specific committees.

Question 29

What is one reason that the position of lieutenant governor has lost some power in recent years?

Answer 29

Governor Rick Perry’s long tenure gave him unprecedented control over the executive branch.

Question 30

How is the speaker of the house selected?

Answer 30

The house votes to elect the speaker from among its members.

Question 31

Which of the following is a duty of the speaker of the house?

Answer 31

maintain order on debate floor

Question 32

pro tempore

Answer 32

for he time being

Question 33

What is the difference between a senate standing committee and special committee?

Answer 33

A standing committee is a permanent committee, while a special committee is a subcommittee of a standing committee

Question 34

Of the temporary committees in both houses, which one tends to play the largest role in affecting legislation?

Answer 34

conderence committees

Question 35

A committee established to study specific issues is called what?

Answer 35

Ad hoc

Question 36

How are incumbents affected by committee membership, and why?

Answer 36

Committee membership advantages incumbents because they can shape legislation in order to collect campaign contributions from interest groups.