Exam 2 Flashcards
(122 cards)
1
Q
15th Amendment
A
African American men the right to vote
2
Q
19th Amendment
A
women the right to vote
3
Q
24th Amendment
A
gave people the ability to vote without paying a poll tax
4
Q
26th Amendment
A
gave those 18 and older the right to vote
5
Q
AARP
A
American Association of Retired Persons, interest group
6
Q
AFL/CIO
A
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations- Labor union that attempts to establish rights for their members to collective bargaining, occupational safety and increased wages.
7
Q
Astroturf
A
In 2003 this interest group led the efforts to limit tort liability for doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies. Astroturf interest groups are manufactured by interest groups.
8
Q
Candidate Centered Elections
A
Political campaigns in Texas are candidate centered affairs, dominated by the three M’s - money, media, and marketing.
9
Q
Christian coalition
A
A group that favors what they identify as traditional social values, extended its control by electing the party vice chair, Susan Weddington, and a majority of the state executive committee.6 In 1996, the issue that divided the convention was abortion. Despite the urgings of former governor Bill Clements to focus on the issues that united Republicans in the past, the social conservatives, who made up more than 80 percent of the delegates, attempted unsuccessfully to exclude Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison from the party’s national convention delegation because her prolife credentials were not staunch enough for them.
10
Q
Clean Water Action
A
Public interest group, A national citizens’ organization working for clean, safe, and affordable water, and prevention of health-threatening pollution.
11
Q
Contract Lobbyists
A
1980s, two trends characterized lobbyists in Texas. First, there was an increase in the number of contract lobbyists (“hired guns”). Who work for more than one client. Many of these contract lobbyists were former members of the legislative or executive branches. In the 1990s, that trend continued, as more former legislators and bureaucrats took positions representing interest groups.
12
Q
County chairperson
A
Each county in Texas has a county chairperson and a county executive committee. The county chairperson is elected in the party’s primary for a two year term. duties, which are usually performed by the county chairperson, include conducting the party’s primary elections, arranging for the county convention, raising funds for the county organization, campaigning for party candidates, and promoting precinct organization efforts.
13
Q
County Executive Committee
A
The county executive committee, consisting of the county’s precinct chairpersons, assists the county chairperson.
14
Q
Dealignment
A
party affiliations weaken, and the importance of party affiliation to the population’s political attitudes and behavior also weakens.
15
Q
Democratic Party
A
The party of liberals and populists, African Americans and Hispanics, and women;
16
Q
Direct Lobbying
A
Attempting to influence public officials through direct contacts
17
Q
Early voting
A
The Texas Legislature reduced the cost of voting with the adoption of early voting in 1987. Presently, early voting extends over a two week period, commencing seventeen days before the election and continuing through the fourth day prior to the election
18
Q
General Elections
A
interparty contests to determine which candidates will hold public office. administered and funded by the state.
19
Q
Golden Triangle Area
A
Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange
20
Q
Grassroots Lobbying
A
Indirect lobbying interest groups attempt to activate their members, urging them to contact their representatives or executive officials to influence public policy.
21
Q
Harper v Virginia
A
1966 US Supreme Court declares the poll tax unconstitutional in state elections.
22
Q
Independent Identifiers
A
do not identify with any political party
23
Q
Institutional Support Activities
A
a state party’s ability to perform its party building duties is calculated fund-raising, electoral mobilization programs, public opinion polling, issue leadership, and publication of a newsletter.
24
Q
Interest Group
A
Focus on influencing government, while the activities of political parties focus on controlling government. mobilize their members to support candidates and make campaign contributions to political candidates and office holders through individuals and political action committees
25
John Tower
No Republican would win a statewide office until John Tower in 1961 .
26
Libertarians
The Republican party is made up of libertarians...More libertarian in political ideology, the pragmatists seek to expand the party's membership, reaching out to people who have not traditionally been members of the Republican coalition, and to pursue policies that advance the economic well being of its members. The libertarian or "classical liberal" perspective is that individual well-being, prosperity, and social harmony are fostered by "as much liberty as possible" and "as little government as necessary
27
Lobbying
Efforts to influence the legislative and the executive branches, and the law applies even when the legislature is not in session.
28
Local Elections
conducted to elect city councils, mayors, school-board members, and special district boards.
29
LULAC
The oldest and largest Hispanic group, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), is involved in efforts to change the method of selecting judges in Texas
30
MALDEF
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) was instrumental in the lawsuit that led to greater equality in funding for public education in Texas.
31
Motor voter registration system
Allows a person who is obtaining a driver's license or a Department of Public Safety (DPS) identification card the opportunity to register to vote at the same time.
32
Multi party system
More than two parties have some impact in a state's political life
33
NAACP
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) supported the challenge to the Democratic Party's white primary, fought to end segregation in public education, and continues to fight for increased economic and social opportunities for African Americans.
34
No party state
growth in independent identifiers, who do not identify with any political party. According to this interpretation, Texas is not becoming a Republican state; it is becoming a no-party state.
35
NOW
Public interest group , National Organization for Women
36
Joint resolution
A legislative document that either proposes an amendment to the Texas constitution or ratifies an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
37
Legislative budget board
Prepares the state budget and conducts evaluations of agencies programs.
38
Legislative council
Drafts bills, conducts policy studies, Legislative calendars and Bill status information, and manages the legislative computer systems.
39
Logrolling
Supporting and voting for another members local bill with the assumption that he or she will support you when you have a bill coming up.
40
Lorenzo de Zavala
Leader in 1836 conventions; served as an interim vice Pres. of the Republic of Texas.
41
Non party Legislative Caucus
An organization of legislators that is based on some attribute other than party affiliation.
42
Per Diem
Legislators per day allowance covering room and board expenses while on state business.
43
Pork Barrel
Appropriations of money to a project in a single legislative district.
44
Pro Tempore of the TX Senate
A legislator who serves temporarily as legislative leadership in the absence of the Senate president or House Speaker.
45
President of the Texas Senate
The lieutenant governor of Texas serving in his constitutional role as presiding officer of the senate.
46
Procedural committee
A committee that has jurisdiction over such things as legislative rules and calendars and administration of the House or Senate.
47
Quorum
The minimum number required to conduct business in a legislative body.
48
Redistricting
When districts become unequal due to population size over time they require the distinct district lines to be redrawn every decade.
49
Regular Legislative session
The biennial 140 day session of the Texas Legislator beginning in January of odd-numbered years.
50
Senate two thirds rule
The rule that every bill must win a vote of two thirds of the senators present to suspend the Senate's regular business so that the bill may be considered.
51
Sharpstown Scandal
The legislative scandal of 197-1972 that resulted in a bribery conviction of the House Speaker and other officials and set the stage for the 1973 reform session.
52
Simple resolution
A legislative document proposing an action that affects only the one chamber in which it is being considered such as a resolution to adopt House rules or to command a citizen.
53
Sine Die
Legislators use this Latin phrase to describe the 140th day of a regular legislative session.
54
Single member districts
Legislators represent a separate distinct election district.
55
Speaker of the house
The state representative who is elected by his or her fellow representatives to be the official leader of the house.
56
Special ad hoc committee
A committee created to study a specific problem or policy area; The committee is given a certain amount of time to complete its work then it goes out of existence.
57
Standing committee
A committee created at the beginning of a legislative biennium which continues in existence throughout the biennium.
58
Substantive committee
A committee that considers legislation as its primary duty; most are standing committees.
59
Taking a walk
Leaving a committee hearing or the floor to avoid voting on a controversial bill if such a vote would hurt the legislator with one group or another.
60
Veto
The constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal.
61
Voting rights Act
Courts have jurisdiction to review redistricting plans; States with a history of electoral discrimination against minority groups must preclear redistricting plans with the US Department of Justice.
62
Texas Legislator: composition
The legislator has two bodies, a House of Representatives and Senate.
63
Terms of office
Representatives are elected for two years and senators for four.
64
Qualifications for office
Residency: Senate five years in Texas one year in district 26 years old. House two years and Texas one year in District 21 years old.
65
Conflict of interest
Must disclose any personal interest in a bill; may not hold any other state office or contract.
66
13th amendment
Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
67
Bill Hobby
devoted his life to public service. Lieutenant Governor of Texas, university professor, and Chancellor of the University of Houston System.
68
Robert Douglas Bullock, Sr., known as Bob Bullock
(July 10, 1929 - June 18, 1999), was a Democrate from Texas, whose career spanned four decades. His service culminated in his term as the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Texas from January 15, 1991 to January 19, 1999
69
Calendars committee
The committee shall have 15 members, with jurisdiction over: (1) the placement of bills and resolutions on appropriate calendars, except those within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules and Resolutions; (2) the determination of priorities and proposal of rules for floor consideration of such bills and resolutions; and (3) all other matters concerning the calendar system and the expediting of the business of the house as may be assigned by the speaker.
70
1975 Voting Rights Act Is Extended to Cover Texas
prohibits "vote dilution" in political districts and requires pre-clearance by the Department of Justice of changes in redistricting plans and other election procedures.
71
1923 White Primary
The Texas Legislature adopts the "white primary," which disenfranchises blacks in primary elections
72
Yellow dog Democrats
Democrats of an upper level socioeconomic status state politics, Texans often referred to themselves as "yellow dog Democrats."
73
Balanced budget
A budget in which the legislature balances expenditures withexpected revenues, with no deficit.
74
Carrying water
To occupy a subservient position, to do the bidding, the menial tasks, and frequently the dirty work, of a more powerful person, and is most often used in a political context. A junior member of Congress, for instance, who calls a press conference to vigorously denounce criticisms of party elders might be said to be "carrying water" for those criticized. The implication of "carrying someone's water" is that the underling is acting not on personal initiative but at the behest, either explicit or perceived, of more powerful figures. To describe a person as "carrying water for" someone else is pejorative and a subjective judgment, implying that the person is acting only as a proxy for a more important person, so one person's "water carrier" may well be another's "loyal ally."
75
Gerrymandering
In the process of setting electoral districts, gerrymandering is a practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create partisan advantaged districts. The resulting district is known as a gerrymander however, that word can also refer to the process. When used to allege that a given party is gaining disproportionate power, the term gerrymandering has negative connotation
76
Gib Lewis
Elected speaker for the first time in 1983, Lewis became the first to hold that office for five terms. He played a key role in securing passage of the state's 1984 education reform bill. The bill raised teachers' salaries substantially but at the same time required all teachers to pass so-called "competency tests" to ensure their mastery of basic academic skills.
77
Gus MutscherIn
1971, resigned as speaker due to the scandal that became known simply as "Sharpstown." In 1972 a jury convicted Mutscher on charges he accepted bribes from banker Frank Sharp in return for passage of favorable banking legislation.
78
Joe Straus
(born September 1, 1959), is the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 121, which comprises northeastern Bexar County. Straus joined the House after defeating fellow Republican Glenn Scott Starnes, later the city manager in Eagle Pass, Texas, in a special election held in February 2005. Straus was first elected Speaker on January 13, 2009. He was reelected to a second two-year term as Speaker on January 11, 2011
79
The Congress of the Republic of Texas
The national legislature of the Republic of Texas established by the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in 1836. It was a bicameral legislature based on the model of the United States Congress. It was transformed into the Texas Legislature upon annexation of Texas by the United States in 1846.
80
Gutting
A word used to describe a negative emotional state or experience. Also, gutted.
81
Interim Committee
secret high-level group created in May 1945 by United States Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson at the urging of leaders of the Manhattan Project and with the approval of President Harry S. Truman to advice on matters pertaining to nuclear energy.
82
Ghost voting
A practice in which a member of a legislative assembly casts a vote without being present in the voting chamber. While it might seem impossible to vote without being present, there are in fact several ways in which ghost voting can occur, and the practice is actually quite widespread. In some cases, ghost voting is such common practice that legislative reformers have suggested specifically banning the practice to put a stop to it, or legalizing it so that it can be regulated.
83
Bicameral Texas legislature
The legislature has two bodies, a House of Representatives and a Senate
84
Bill Clayton
served four terms (1975- 1982) was accused of accepting a bribe but was acquitted
85
Budget execution authority
The authority to move money from one program to another program or from one agency to another agency.
86
Committee
A subunit of the legislature, appointed to work on designated subjects.
87
Concurrent resolution
A legislative document intended to express the will of both chambers of the legislature, even though it does not possess the authority of law.
88
Debt
The total outstanding amount the government owes as a result of borrowing in the past.
89
Deficit spending
Government spending in the current budget cycle that exceeds government revenue.
90
Engrossed bill
A bill that has been given final approval on third reading in one chamber of the legislature.
91
Enrolled bill
A bill that has been given final approval in both chambers of the legislature and is sent to the governor.
92
Filibuster
A formal way of halting Senate action on a bill by means of long speeches or unlimited debate.
93
Germane
Related to the topic.
94
Intent calendar
The Senate calendar listing bills on which the author or sponsor has given notice of intent to move to suspend the regular order of business in order that the Senate may consider them.
95
Party in the electorate
Consists of those people who identify with a political party and consider themselves members.
95
Party Organization
Consists of the structures that constitute the party organization and the party activists who occupy positions in the party structure. Includes both a formal organization, established by state law, and a functional organization, which describes how a party actually operates.
96
Permanent Party Organization
Party organization that operates throughout the year, performing the party's functions.
97
Political Action Committee
Groups formed to solicit funds and then to use those funds to help elect or defeat candidates for public office.
98
Political Party
An organization to gain political power
99
Poll Tax
Effective in 1904, was a requirement for voting in Texas until it was eliminated by a constitutional amendment. To register, the voter would pay a tax of $ 1.50 to $ 1.75, a hefty sum in 1904? at the courthouse, a tactic designed to prevent the poor and minorities from voting.
100
Precinct Chairperson
Party leader in a voting precinct.
101
Primary Elections
By Texas law, any party whose candidate for governor receives more than 20 percent of the vote must hold a primary election to nominate candidates. Parties whose gubernatorial candidates receive less than 20 percent of the vote can nominate their candidates in primary elections or in party conventions.
102
Public Interest Groups
Advocate public policies intended to benefit the public interest.
103
Ralph Yarborough
During the 1950s and 1960s, the only liberal Democrat elected to statewide office in Texas was U. S. Senator Ralph Yarborough.
104
Republican Party
The Republican Party has always been conservative ideologically. Though more cohesive ideologically than the Democratic Party, the Republican Party in Texas also has its intraparty conflicts. Republican Party activists are overwhelmingly conservative (91 percent), with few moderates (7 percent) and even fewer liberals (2 percent).
105
Secretary of State
The state's chief election official, is responsible for certifying state and district candidates, ensuring that the county clerks certify local candidates and that the county commissioners court appoints the necessary officials to administer the election, and report and maintain the election results.
106
Selective Benefits
Selective benefits are basically expressive, which means that the person must find his or her vote meaningful.
107
Smith v Allwright
U. S. Supreme Court declares the white primary a violation of the U. S. Constitution's Fifteenth Amendment.
108
Special Elections
Special elections are held in Texas to fill vacancies in state legislative and U. S. congressional offices, to approve local bond proposals, and if the legislature chooses, to approve amendments to the Texas Constitution
109
State Convention
Party meeting held to adopt the party's platform, elect the party's executive committee and state chairperson, and, in a presidential election year, elect delegates to the national convention and choose presidential electors.
110
State Executive Committee
Sixty-two-member party committee that makes decisions for the party between state conventions.
111
State Party Chairperson
Party leader for the state.
112
State Senatorial District Convention
Party meeting held when a county is a part of more than one senatorial district.
113
Temporary party organization
Party organization that exists for a limited time and includes several levels of conventions.
114
Terrell Election Law
Primaries were established in Texas in 1905 with the passage of the Terrell Election Law, which required a combination of the primary election and a state convention to determine the party's nominees.
115
Texas Association of Business
For more than 85 years, TAB has been on the front lines of the legislative, regulatory, and judicial battlefields, fighting for every issue that impacts business to ensure that employers' opinions are being heard.
116
Texas Medical Association
Professional association that represents physicians
117
Texas State Teachers Association
Professional association that represents teachers
118
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Professional association that represents the interests of lawyers who make their living representing people in personal- injury lawsuits or product- liability suits.
119
Texas Two Step
Texans do not register by political party, and a registered voter can vote in either primary, thus entitling the voter to participate in the precinct convention held after the polls close. Precinct conventions are held in facilities close to where people voted.
120
The Three M's
money, media, and marketing.
121
Top-Down Strategy
Concentrating efforts on leadership. Because the Texas Speaker of the House and president of the Senate (lieutenant governor) has considerable powers, lobbying the leadership can be productive.
