UT Austin Texas Government Credit Exam<\/p>\n\n\n\n
True or False: The Texas Legislative Branch is the least weak of the three branches
True<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How senators are in the Texas Senate?
31<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many representatives are in the Texas House of Rep. ?
150<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Connecticut Compromise
Proposed two chambers for legislative branch: one with the number of representatives based on state population and the other with fixed number of senators per state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different for Texas legislature: Senate represents larger districts and more broad concerns for state (have longer terms than House of Rep. reps). Representatives in the House have shorter terms and represent smaller districts. They are more in tune with the ever changing needs of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How often does the Texas Legislature hold its regular session?
For 140 days every other year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens to a bill at the end of the regular sessions if it hasn’t been passed or denied?
It dies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are Special Sessions
Special sessions are legislative sessions that the governor can call for after the regular session is over. He can call for as many as he or she wants and the governor dictates the content of the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
True or False: Texas legislatures are elected in single-member districts and districts are redrawn ever 10 years
true<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who is given the position of President of the Senate
The Lieutenant Governor is given this position by the Texas Constitution. The Lt. Gov. is an elected via a statewide election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
T or F: The Texas House has always had single-member districts
False, up until a Supreme Court decision in 1972, House reps where elected in multi-member districts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long are the terms of office for legislative positions?
The house have elections every two years where all seats are up for grabs
The senate has elections every two years where only half the members are up for re-election. Which half is up for election is rotated every two years. Each term is four years long. This staggering restarted after re-redistricting. Senators draw straws for who gets a four-year or two-year term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requirements to run for the Texas House of Reps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requirements to run for the Texas Senate<\/p>\n\n\n\n
private interest group
groups that seek to influence public policy for the specific and often exclusive benefit of their members or people with similar interests<\/p>\n\n\n\n
public interest group
groups that seek influence public policy for the benefit of the general population<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in-house lobbyist
employed directly by the interest groups themselves (e.g. Vice President of Legislative Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contract Lobbyist
independent professionals who are hired to represent an interest group for a fixed period of time. Often represent multiple interest groups at the same time<\/p>\n\n\n\n
public advocacy firm lobbyist
hybrid of the other two types. work for law firms or public advocacy firms that businesses and interest groups can hire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An entity other than a political party that raises and sends money to elect or defeat candidates. PACs are regulated under both federal and state law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interest Group scorecards
Interest groups create scorecards ranking how well candidates align with there interests<\/p>\n\n\n\n
bracket bills
legislation or proposed legislation intended to benefit a relatively narrow class of beneficiaries without directly naming them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a legislative resolution
a formal statement of opinion or a specific decision. can be issue by either chamber<\/p>\n\n\n\n
joint resolution
the mechanism used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution. passed by both chambers of the legislature<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three types of resolutions
simple resolution
joint resolution
concurrent resolution (a formal statement of opinion but does not carry the force of law)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Legislature Administrative Power
Ratify gubernatorial appointments
Create, abolish and redefine state agencies
Require report and special reporting from state agencies
Approve state agency budgets<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ratify gubernatorial appointments
The appointments made by the governor must have two-thirds approval vote in the senate<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Name the three types of bills that can be introduced in the legislature
general, special and local<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who impeaches and who tries the case?
The house impeaches and the senate tries the case<\/p>\n\n\n\n
gerrymandering
the manipulation of political boundaries and\/or electoral constituencies to favor one party over another<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senatorial Standing Committees
chair and members are appointed by the lieutenant governor
deal with public policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senatorial Special Committees
essentially subcommittees of permanent committees
created to study important issues<\/p>\n\n\n\n
House Substantive Committee
similar to senatorial Standing Committees; deal with issues of public policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
House Procedural Committees
dedicated to regulating the functioning and operations of the house itself
Example: Calendar Committee – decides when bills are heard on the floor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conference Committee
include members of both chambers and are formed to resolve differences in bills that passed by each house that deal with same issue. Consists of five members from both chambers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
interim committee
formed to consider bills when the legislature is not in session<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ad hoc committees
used to study specific issues, problems or questions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
line-item veto
the governor may veto certain items in an appropriations bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
T or F: The legislature can override the governor’s veto with a 2\/3 vote in both chambers
true<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Committees in the House and Senate that deal with taxes and appropriations
House:
Ways and Means Committee
Appropriations Committee
Senate:
Finance Committee
Business and Commerce Committee<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Affairs Committee
Prestigious committee that deals with operation of the state government<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long is the waiting period that members must wait in before acting on legislation
60 days<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lieutenant Governer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attorney General<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comptroller of Public Accounts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Secretary of State<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public Utilities Commission<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No Child Left Behind
2001; national education standards for schools in all states passed by Bush<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\/3
fraction of state revenue from federal grants<\/p>\n\n\n\n
conservative
hostility to government activity, especially in the economic sphere, and a complementary faith in the judgment of businesspeople<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C
In which of the following areas would Texas have the least influence?
a. Determining how it will tax its citizens.
b. Enforcing laws and administering justice.
c. Controlling its border with Mexico.
d. Setting educational standards.
e. Regulating industry within the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C
Which of the following groups has not changed appreciably, as a percent of the Texas population, since 1980?
a. Anglo (non-Hispanic)
b. Native American Indian
c. African American
d. Asian
e. Hispanic<\/p>\n\n\n\n
constitution purposes
give legitimacy, organize government, grant specific powers, limit government powers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1876
date of ratification of the 6th texas constitution (6th)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
constitution of 1845
statehood constitution; bsed on Jacksonianism<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grange
farmer’s organization; white supremacy; influenced current constitution of 1876<\/p>\n\n\n\n
lieutenant governor
presides over Texas Senate; elected by people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
comptroller of public accounts
collects state’s taxes and determines whether enough revenue exists to fund state budget; keeps state money; elected by people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
attorney general
state lawyer; elected by people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
commissioner of General land Office
protects state environment and administers public lands; elected by people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Railroad Commission
regulate intrastate transportation and oil\/gas industry; elected by people<\/p>\n\n\n\n
local governments
counties, municipalities, special districts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
counties
most restricted; administrative and judicial; commission form of government that combined executive and legislative authority and is headed by a judge; fragmented<\/p>\n\n\n\n
home rule
allows a city to write its own charter and make changes in it without legislative approval; population over 5,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
general-law
cities must operate under statewide statutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
special districts
limited-purpose local governments that have taxing authority; e.g. school districts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
legislature
location of initiation for amendment proposal (regular or special session)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2\/3
majority of House\/Senate (100\/21) required to submit proposed constitutional amendments to voters<\/p>\n\n\n\n
simpole majority
majority of citizens needed for ratification of constitutional amendments<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C
Which of the following is not a purpose of the U.S. constitution?
a. legitimize government
b. grant powers to government
c. establish local units of government
d. organize government
e. limit government<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D
Which of the following Texas Constitutions established the Republic of Texas, where Texas was a free, sovereign, and independent nation?
a. 1836
b. 1866
c. 1861
d. 1845
e. 1869<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jacksonian democracy
Short terms of office for public officials.
An expansion of individual participation in government.
The spoils system of appointing the victor’s supporters to office.
Long ballots with most offices up for popular vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethics Commission
Which Texas government agency was created in 1991 and given the power of recommending legislative salaries<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terrell Election Law
1903; forbid corporations to contribute money directly to candidates for public office<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1973<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1991 Texas Ethics Law
created ethics commission that could hold hearings on public complaints, levy fines, and report violations to Austin distric attorney; no limits on campaign contributions; required super majority for actions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20
percentage cut off for primary election requirement (smaller can choose by nominating convention)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
primary election
held within a party to nominate candidates for general election or choose presidential nominating convention delegates<\/p>\n\n\n\n
general election
choose state and national executives and legislators; even-numbered years on tuesday after first monday in november<\/p>\n\n\n\n
special elections
fill vacancies; nonpartisan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Article IIIq
stipulates that Texas legislature composed of Senate (31) and HofRep (150)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
electing legislators<\/p>\n\n\n\n