Texas Government (2306)-The Legislative Branch-Ch 3

Texas has how many Senate districts?

thirty-one

How many legislators are there in the Texas Legislature?

181

When a vacancy arises during a term in the Texas House or Senate, how is that vacancy filled?

A special election called by the governor

Roberto is concerned that the recent redrawing of legislative districts around Houston will diminish the vote of Latino citizens and was done to favor the Republican party. Roberto is concerned with what practice?

Gerrymandering

The matters available for discussion during special sessions are set by which government official?

Governor

Political science research has shown what relationship between descriptive representation and substantive representation?

Increasing descriptive representation for a group leads to improved substantive representation for that group.

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

It becomes law.

Which statement is true regarding term length in the Texas legislature?

Representatives are elected for two years, and Senators are elected for four years.

What is true regarding the annual salary of Texas legislators?

Senators and representatives receive low pay but a generous retirement pension.

Where must all bills that produce revenue originate?

The House of Representatives

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

The first odd-numbered year in a decade

Who fills in as the president of the Texas senate if the lieutenant governor is absent?

The president pro tempore

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

They may not hold another government office.

In Texas, when does the president pro tempore preside over the Senate?

When the lieutenant governor is absent or disabled

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

Lieutenant governor

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

Racial/Ethnic

What specific feature did the the Texas Founders create the state legislature with?

Texas legislators are paid $7,200 annually.

Texas has a bicameral legislature. What is the larger chamber called?

The House of Representatives

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

Every Texan

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

Attorney

Which type of resolution involves action by one legislative chamber only and is NOT sent to the governor? A.) A concurrent resolution B.) A simple resolution C.) A proposed resolution D.) A joint resolution

B.) A simple resolution

What are the possible reasons why the Texas legislature, which has been designed as a citizen's legislature, became dominated by lawyers and businessmen?

Because lawyers and businesspeople tend to have additional sources of income beyond their legislator's salary, along with job flexibility

What is the most common highest level of education achieved by legislators in the Texas legislature? (Select all that apply.) A.) High school B.) Bachelor's degree C.) Postgraduate qualification D.) No diploma

C.) Postgraduate qualification

Thomas is a Texas representative. When he supports a bill that is introduced into the House, he sometimes debates the bill excessively with his fellow representatives for the purpose of using time and preventing floor action on another bill that he opposes. Which tactic is Thomas using in this example?

Chubbing

Regarding the representation of the various ethnic groups in the Texas legislature, which of the following statements are true? Select all that apply. A.) In 1971, there were only two women in the Texas legislature. B.) Between 1971 and 2019, the number of Black members of the Texas senate doubled. C.) Between 1971 and 2019, the number of Anglos serving in the Texas legislature has fallen by half. D.) Between 1971 and 2019, the number of Latinos serving the Texas house has more than doubled.

Correct Answers: A.) In 1971, there were only two women in the Texas legislature. B.) Between 1971 and 2019, the number of Black members of the Texas senate doubled. D.) Between 1971 and 2019, the number of Latinos serving the Texas house has more than doubled.

Which of the following are criteria that must be met by a candidate for legislative office in Texas? (Select all that apply.) A.) A law degree B.) Resident in Texas for two years C.) Be a U.S. citizen D.) Eligible to vote

Correct Answers: B.) Resident in Texas for two years C.) Be a U.S. citizen D.) Eligible to vote

Which of the following do the Texas and U.S. legislative branches have in common? (Select all that apply.) A.) Bicameral structure B.) Two-year terms in the house of representatives C.) Four-year terms in the senate D.) 150 members in the house of representatives

Correct Answers: A.) Bicameral structure B.) Two-year terms in the house of representatives

Which of the following facts might suggest that the Texas legislature is not representative of the general public in Texas? (Select all that apply.) A.) The members of the Texas legislature are predominantly white. B.) Their high legislative salaries C.) There are significantly more men than women in the legislature D.) The members of the Texas legislature typically have more formal education than the average Texan.

Correct Answers: A.) The members of the Texas legislature are predominantly white. C.) There are significantly more men than women in the legislature D.) The members of the Texas legislature typically have more formal education than the average Texan.

Which of the following are tasks permitted during the first thirty days of the Texas legislature? (Select all that apply.) A.) Committee work B.) Emergency appropriations C.) Introducing bills D.) Acting upon bills

Correct Answers: B.) Emergency appropriations C.) Introducing bills

Texas has always had 150 representatives and 31 senators in its state legislature. True or False?

False

The Republican Party's delegation to the Texas legislature is more racially diverse than the Democratic Party's. True or False?

False

How does a Texas House member introduce a bill?

Filing electronically with the chief clerk

What majority of the house must agree on the order of business?

Four-fifths

What outcome has been shown by a comparison of election results from single-member and multi-member districts?

More Black and Latino candidates are elected in single-member districts.

What term limits apply to Texas legislative positions?

None

Who controls all proceedings in the Texas House?

Speaker of the House

What are the three categories of bills?

Special, general, and local

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

Texas Public Policy Foundation