POLS Test 3

What is a political action committee (PAC)?

A group of persons that has a principal purpose of accepting political contributions or making political contributions

Which type of resolution involves action by one legislative chamber only and is NOT sent to the governor?

A simple resolution

What is one of the legal restrictions that members of the Texas legislature must meet?

He or she may not hold another government office

Which department is responsible for producing the Daily Floor Report for each day the legislature is in session?

House Research Organization

When must the Texas legislature draw new boundaries for the state's U.S. congressional districts?

In the year after a federal census

What is the status of interest groups and political parties in Texas?

Interest groups are strong and political parties are weak

While the legislature is in session, what happens to a bill if it remains unsigned by the governor for 10 days?

It becomes law

According to the decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court in NAACP v. Alabama (1958), which part of the U.S. Constitution supports the formation of interest groups?

Right of association (First Amendment)

permanent bodies with specific responsibilities spelled out in the Senate's official rules

Senate Standing committees

What is true regarding the annual salary of Texas legislators?

Senators and representatives receive low pay but a generous retirement pension

Ruled the preclearance portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional for now

Shelby County v Holder

Which independent Texas research organization is accused by critics of having a liberal bias?

The Center for Public Policy Priorities

Which religion-based group continues to be one of Texas's most influential political forces?

The Christian Coalition

When does legislative redistricting occur for both the Texas House and the Senate?

The first odd-numbered year in a decade

In November 1991, Texas voters passed a constitutional amendment that implemented new legal standards for lobbyists and public officials. Which regulation was part of this amendment?

There is a ban on lobby-paid pleasure trips.

In general, what is the goal of an interest group?

To influence government officials and their policies on behalf of group members

What is needed for a bill to pass the Senate?

a simple majority

Any organized group, regardless of size, is usually composed of

an active minority and a passive majority membership

NAACP vs. Alabama (1958) supreme court recognized right of _____ as part of the 1st amendment right of assembly, facilitating the development of interest groups

association

Providing favored candidates with interest group membership information, mailing lists, and email lists that help candidates solicit money and votes is an example of

electioneering

All bills that produce revenue must originate

in the House

The Texas Senate's president pro tempore presides when the

lieutenant governor is absent or disabled

What interest group technique is the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association utilizing when its members go to the Capitol and talk with lawmakers about preserving bikers' rights?

lobbying

In recent years, Texas has ranked second in the country, after California, in interest group money spent on

lobbying state government

During a special session, the legislature may consider only those matters

placed before it by the governor

Interest groups are composed chiefly of persons from

professional and managerial occupations

A Texas legislator's expense allowance can be used for

staff salaries

Which group can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and individuals?

super PACs

The influence of interest groups has been driven by

the strength of the party system

Which grassroots activity uses fake social media accounts to provide a false impression of the number of supporters or opponents an issue actually has?

Astrotweeting

Traditionally, which occupation has been typical of a Texas legislator?

Attorney

Serena is a legislator in Texas and a member of The House Women's Health Caucus, where she supports legislation on issues related to women's health care. This is an example of what type of caucus?

Bipartisan

Jackson is a member of an interest group consisting of corporate leaders who advocate for lower taxes and the elimination of government price controls. What type of interest group is Jackson in?

Business Organization

In Texas, how do power groups enhance their influence?

By maintaining their headquarters in Austin

Resolution originating in either chamber but must be adopted by both, used to memorialize (petition) the U.S. Congress; give directions to a state agency, board, or commission; express the views of the legislature; designate an official state symbol, must be submitted to governor for approval

Concurrent Resolution

Why do interest groups make last-minute contributions to political campaigns?

Contributions and expenditures in the last two days of a campaign need not be disclosed until the next semiannual report is due.

How did the Sharpstown Bank scandal in the 1970s affect Speaker of the House campaigns today?

Contributions, loans, and expenditures received and made by a House Speaker candidate must be reported to the Texas Ethics Commission.

What type of government increases the opportunities for interest groups to form and influence government?

Decentralized

How does a Texas House member introduce a bill?

Filing electronically with the chief clerk

Resolution requiring approval by both houses but no action by the governor, simple majority required, resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution require a vote of two-thirds of the total membership of each chamber for adoption, are filed directly with the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS). An amendment to the Texas Constitution proposed by an adopted joint resolution does not become effective until it is approved by Texas voters at a general election.

Joint Resolutions

Which of the following is a necessary factor for an interest group to exert the maximum amount of political power?

Knowledgeable and dedicated leadership

Who is the most powerful legislative officer in the Texas because of the powers granted to him or her by Senate rules?

Lieutenant governor

these House committees consider bills and resolutions relating primarily to procedural legislative matters

Procedural committees

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is an example of what type of interest group?

Professional group

Ed is working with an interest group that monitors members of the Texas legislature for their support of environmentally-friendly "green bills." Ed is most likely working with a(n)

Public Interest Group

The Legislative Black Caucus is an example of what category of caucus?

Racial/Ethnic

Resolution involving action by one chamber only and is not sent to the governor, passed by majority vote, pertain to matters considered by the originating chamber only. They are used to adopt or change rules of procedure; name a mascot; express congratulations or condolences; memorialize the U.S. Congress; direct a state agency, board, or commission; initiate a study by a single house; or express the views of that chamber.

Simple Resolution

The oldest Latino interest group in Texas is the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). What type of interest group does this organization represent?

Social Interest Group

Who controls all proceedings in the Texas House?

Speaker of the House

What are the three categories of bills?

Special, general, and local

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.

Substantive committee

What type of committee considers bills and resolutions relating to the subject identified by a committee's name, such as agriculture or public health?

Substantive committees

Which group is an example of an economic interest umbrella organization?

Texas Association of Business

Ethics complaints against Texas state officials, candidates for office, and state employees would generally be brought to the

Texas Ethics Commission

Which research group has been accused of acting as the "in-house think tank of the state's current Republican leadership"?

Texas Public Policy Foundation