Exam #2 Flashcards
(47 cards)
How much are members of the Texas legislature paid?
$7,200/year $600/month
How many members are in the Texas Senate
31
How many members are in the Texas House
150
Who is the current Speaker of the House for Texas?
Dade Phelan
Who is the current Lieutenant Governor?
Dan Patrick
Qualifications to serve as a member in the Texas House of Representatives, and the term structure?
US Citizen, 21 years old, Texas resident for 2 years, District resident for 12 months, 2 year terms; no limit
Qualifications to serve as a member in the Texas Senate, and the term structure?
US Citizen, 26 years old, Texas resident for 5 years, District resident for 12 months, 4 year terms; no limit
When does the Texas legislature meet, and for how long?
The second Tuesday in January of odd numbered years before the presidential elections, for 5 months
What is a special session?
Session called by the Governor to address an agenda set by them that can last no longer than 30 days
What is redistricting?
The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
What is gerrymandering?
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
What is logrolling?
a legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers
What is a filibuster?
A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.
What is line-item veto?
the governor’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
What is a standing committee?
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
What is a procedural committee?
These House committees (such as the Calendars Committee and House Administration Committee) consider bills and resolutions relating primarily to procedural legislative matters.
What is a substantive committee?
Appointed by the House Speaker, this committee considers bills and resolutions related to the subject identified by its name (such as the House Agriculture Committee) and may recommend passage of proposed legislation to the appropriate calendars committee.
What is a conference committee?
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Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
What is a select committee?
A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose.
How does a bill become a law if introduced to the Texas House?
introduced during a legislative session, Speaker of House assigns to a committee to be amended, goes to calendar committee to be scheduled for debate, brought to the house floor where it may be further amended, bill is sent to senate if passes majority vote, once it is passed by both Senate and House it is sent to governor to be signed, vetoed or expired
How does a bill become a law if introduced to the senate?
introduced during a legislative session, Lt. governor refers it to senate committee, Senate must agree by 5/9 vote to send bill to Senate floor, brought to Senate floor to be further amended, bill is sent to the House if passes majority vote, once it is passed by both Senate and House it is sent to governor to be signed, vetoed or expired
What is a plural executive?
an executive branch in which power is fragmented because the election of statewide officeholders is independent of the election of the governor
Which offices make up the Executive branch of the Texas Government?
a Governor, a Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Attorney General.
What are the responsibilities of the Governor?
implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch.
