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Texas Government > Exam over Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 13 > Flashcards

Exam over Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 13 Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the functions of the Texas Legislature?

A

Represent people in government, to legislate, to budget and tax, to educate the public, to consider constitutional amendments, to confirmer the governor’s appointees, to redistrict itself and the US congressional districts in congress, and to impeach and remove from office corrupt officials.

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2
Q

List the specific information on the regular legislative session. How often does the Texas Legislature convene? For how long?

A

Every other year, in odd numbered years, with sessions beginning on the second Tuesday in January for a maximum of 140 calendar days.

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3
Q

What is a special session and who calls the special session?

A

These sessions are called by the governor to address or work on a specific issue. May last for a max of 20 calendar days.

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4
Q

How many members are in the Texas House of Reps?

A

150 members

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5
Q

How many members are in the Texas Senate?

A

21 members

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6
Q

Representatives are elected for how many years?

A

2

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7
Q

Senators are elected for how many years?

A

4

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8
Q

What is the term limit for a Texas Legislator?

A

There is no term limit.

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9
Q

What is the salary for Texas Legislatures?

A

$600 a month-$7,200 a year.

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10
Q

How does that salary compare to other state legislators?

A

Texas legislators are the lowest paid in the nation.

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11
Q

Does the House or Senate have to pass a bull for it to become a law?

A

Both.

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12
Q

What is the difference in a regular session and special session?

A

Regular sessions are every other years, in odd numbered years. These happen regularly. Special sessions are called by the governor to address or work on a specific issue. These happen as needed.

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13
Q

Define redistricting. What is the goal?

A

Process of redrawing district boundaries to guarantee equal voter representation.

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14
Q

Who serves as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate?

A

Lieutenant Governor.

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15
Q

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Reps?

A

The speaker.

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16
Q

What is the difference in standing committee and conference committee?

A

Standing committee is a permanent committee established to handle legislation in a certain field. Conference committee negotiates differences on similar pieces of legislation passed by the House and the Senate.

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17
Q

Briefly explain how a bill becomes a law.

A

A bill must pass by two-thirds majority in both the House of Reps and the Senate.

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18
Q

If the Governor vetoes a bill, what has to happen to override the veto making it a law?

A

The Texas House and Texas Senate must override the veto by two-thirds vote.

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19
Q

A bill or constitutional amendments requires how much of the votes of both chambers?

A

Two-thirds.

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20
Q

Does Texas Constitution require a balanced budget?

A

Yes.

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21
Q

Define Bicameral Legislature.

A

A two-chamber House Reps and Senate.

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22
Q

Define Filibuster.

A

Allows a senator to speak against a bill for as long as he or she can stand and talk.

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23
Q

Define Veto.

A

To forbid something by a person of authority.

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24
Q

Define Line Item Veto.

A

Only certain parts of a bill or amendment can be forbidden.

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25
Define Impeachment.
A charge of misconduct against the holder of a public office.
26
In Texas, which office has more power? Gov or Lt Gov.?
Lieutenant governor.
27
What is the governor's strongest tool of influence in the legislative process?
Veto threats.
28
What is the minimum age for a Texas Rep?
21
29
What is the minimum age for a Texas Senator?
30
30
Who is the top official of the executive branch of Texas state government?
The governor.
31
Who is the governor of Texas?
Gregg Abbott.
32
Texas governors have always been the water governors than in other states because Texas has a plural executive. Define plural executive.
A plural executive branch has power divided among several independently elected officials rather than centralized under one person.
33
What is the length of office for Texas Governor?
Four year term.
34
How many terms can a governor actually serve?
No term limits.
35
What are the qualifications for Governor of Texas?
The governor of Texas has to be an American citizen, a resident of Texas for at least five years, and at least 30 years of age.
36
Who is the longest serving governor in Texas history?
Rick Perry.
37
What is the current salary of the governor?
$150,000/year
38
Which governor was impeached and why?
James Edward Ferguson Jr.
39
Briefly, what is the impeachment process?
The Texas House accuses an executive or judicial official of misconduct serious enough to warrant removal. The House votes to impeach by majority vote, and then the senate conducts a trial and may vote to remove by a two-thirds margin.
40
Which official succeeds to governorship if there is a vacancy?
Lt. Governor.
41
List the five powers of the government and explain each one.
Legislative Powers - Outlines his agenda at the start of the legislative session. He can call a special legislative session. His strongest weapon is his VETO powers. Judicial Powers - Appoints a seven member Board of Pardons and Paroles which decide when prisoners are eligible for parole. Military Powers - Commander in chief of the Texas National Guard, which can be called out to assist in cases like a natural disaster or civil disorder. Budgetary Powers - Governor is in charge with preparing the state budget proposal for the legislature but he has little power as far as getting his budget passed. Appointive Powers - Appoints vacancy at the judges level, appoints replacement if legislature member dies, but limited appointive powers as Texas has plural executive.
42
What is one of a governor's most powerful legislative weapons?
Veto powers.
43
Who is the chief counsel for the State of Texas?
Ken Paxton.
44
Explain the role of the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Elected official who is the states tax collector, responsible for safekeeping of state's revenue.
45
Land Commissioner
Responsible for managing and leasing the states property, including oil, gas, and mineral interests.
46
Agriculture Commissioner
In charge of regulating and promoting agriculture.
47
Railroad Commissioner
Regulates oil, gas, and railroad.
48
What is the role of the Texas Secretary of State of Texas?
Keeper of state records.
49
How many statewide elected officials are there in the executed branch? List them.
Nine. Governor, Attorney General, Land Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, Comptroller of Public Accounts.
50
Pay-as-you-go
Texas Constitution prohibits against the state borrowing money for its operating budget.
51
Parole
Early release from prison
52
Pardon
Government can grant a pardon to commute a death sentence to life in prison.
53
List at least 3 policing agencies in Texas.
DPS, city police departments, Sheriff's department.
54
What is the state agency responsible for licensing law enforcement officials and departments?
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
55
Discuss use of force.
The use of force is very controversial. It is an amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject.
56
Explain the Sandra Bland Act.
A legislation in response to the arrest and jailing of Bland; the law requires independent investigation of jail deaths and alternatives to jailing those with mental or substance abuse problems.  
57
Felony
A serious crime offense that subjects a person to fine or imprisonment.
58
Misdemeanor
A minor criminal offense usually punishable by a small fine or short jail sentence.
59
Capital Murder
Death or life without parole.
60
First degree
5 to 99 years and a fine
61
Second degree
2-20 years and a fine
62
Third degree
2 to 10 years and a fine
63
State jail
180 days to 2 years in a state jail and a fine
64
Probable-cause
Reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that particular suspect is likely to have committed the crime.
65
Arraignment and Posting Bail
After being arrested for a felony or misdemeanor and jailed, a person is arraigned before a judge. Charges are explained and due process rights are reviewed.
66
Grand jury indictment
Generally, after arraignment a felony case is presented to a grand jury. It consists of 12 people who will hear the case to determine if there is sufficient evidence to hold trial.
67
Pretrial hearings
After indictment for a felony, there will likely be a number of pretrial hearings, in which the accused will formally plead guilty or not guilty.
68
District Attorney
In some counties, an elected official who prosecutes misdemeanor cases.
69
Assignment counsel
Private lawyers, paid by the county, who are appointed by judges to provide legal representation for indigents.
70
Public defender
Salaried lawyers, funded by the government or grants, who represent indigents.
71
Which 1980 Supreme Court case ruled the Texas state prison system unconstitutional due to overcrowding and poor staffing and led to major changes in Texas prisons?
Ruiz VS Estelle
72
What was the legal outcome in Teas for Ruiz v. Estelle (1980)?
Did away with cruel and unusual punishment
73
Which state has the largest prison system in the US?
Louisiana
74
List four crimes that qualify for the death penalty in Texas
Murder of a correctional officer, a judge, murder during prison escape, murder for remuneration.
75
Three-strikes provision
Allows a person convicted of three felonies to be sentenced to life imprisonment.
76
Municipal Court
Traffic tickets (80% of workload), Class C misdemeanors such as public intoxication, and simple assault.
77
Justice of the Peace Court
Minor civil cases and misdemeanor criminal cases.
78
District Court
The general jurisdiction over major civil disputes and felony criminal cases.
79
Court of Appeals
Intermediate level court that hears appeals from district/county courts to determine if lower court followed legal principals.
80
Texas Supreme Court
Final appellate jurisdiction in civil cases and juvenile cases.
81
How many judges serve on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals?
8
82
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest Supreme Court for which cases?
Criminal Courts.

Texas Government (1 decks)

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