Chapter 12 Politics COncepts

Most states have laws regulating which activities by interest groups? making financial contributions to political campaigns lobbying designing issue advertisements recruiting group membership

making financial contributions to political campaigns lobbying

In its pursuit of electioneering, an interest group's most import resource is ______.

money

Generally, public interest groups' range of issues is ______.

narrow

A group that is focused on civil rights and government services for minorities or ethnic groups would be considered a ______ organization.

noneconomic

What is the largest category of interest group?

nonmembership organizations

Which of the following is the primary goal of most state and local interest groups? winning federal grant money for local projects lobbying federal officials protecting local interests from state activities lobbying state officials

protecting local interests from state activities

What is the primary goal of retail trade associations?

protecting their trades from undesirable state regulation

The responsibility of the Texas Ethics Commission is to enforce laws relating to which of the following? Multiple select question. registration for certain interest groups election eligibility campaign finance ballot wording lobbying

registration for certain interest groups campaign finance lobbying

When individuals or groups try to secure benefits for themselves through political means, the process is called ______.

rent seeking

The Texas Automobile Association seeks to protect and promote the interests of its member businesses that are involved in the sales of goods and services and thus is an example of a ______.

retail trade association

How did the Citizens United decision affect the Texas law prohibiting direct campaign contributions by unions and corporations?

These groups are now allowed establish PACs to fund election-related advertising.

Which of the following accurately describe ways in which interest groups can use litigation to advance their cause? They can file amicus briefs. They can lobby judges. They can sponsor litigation on behalf of their members.

They can file amicus briefs. They can sponsor litigation on behalf of their members.

What is the primary distinction between trade associations and peak business organizations?

Trade associations represent more specific business interests such as the oil industry.

A blog called Working Families for Walmart appeared to be a grassroots effort to support the organization. What was it, in reality?

a blog authored by a public relations firm hired by Walmart

Which of the following entities is not involved in an "Iron Triangle"? a state agency a legislative committee an interest group a corporation

a corporation

For which of the following interest groups would the free-rider problem be most severe?

a large group with very diffuse possible benefits

According to right-to-work laws, ______.

a person cannot be denied employment based on membership or nonmembership in a labor organization

In an attempt to influence court decisions, interest groups may file "friend of the court" briefs, otherwise known as ______ briefs.

amicus curiae

In-house lobbyists are employees of which of the following?

businesses or assocaitons

What is the first step in the process of electioneering?

candidate recruitment

When a state agency becomes controlled by its constituency interest group, it is referred to as .

capture

Public interest groups represent ______.

causes or ideas

A PAC is a specialized kind of interest group that

collects and distributes money to candidates for office

Who among the following are not required by the Texas Ethics Commission to register as lobbyists? individuals who spent more than $500 per quarter on gifts or other paid expenses for a state official or employee employees of news media outlets individuals who received more than $1,000 per quarter-year in compensation for lobbying activities individuals whose primary means of income is lobbying government officials who lobby in their official capacity

employees of news media outlets government officials who lobby in their official capacity

The Texas --------------enforces rules regulating interest groups and political candidates in Texas.

ethics commission

Most lobbying efforts are concentrated ______.

every two years during the legislative session

The Texas Farmers Union (not to be confused with the Texas Farm Bureau) represents which segment of the Texas agricultural industry? Multiple choice question.

family farms and ranches

Individuals may benefit from the work of interest groups even if they don't participate in the groups' activities. Because of this, some groups have difficulty recruiting members, a phenomenon known as the ----- problem.

free rider

----------a characteristic of some interest groups, refers to the fact that the groups have members in all regions of the state.

geographic distribution

The interests of state and federal agencies are represented by ______.

government orgs

An "astroturf organization" is one that lacks ______.

grass roots organization

Under lobbying regulations, what type of interest groups are required to register and file reports on their activities?

groups that have regular contact with lawmakers

Which of the following accurately describe the Texas Municipal League? Multiple select question. highly organized very large membership influential members focused committees

highly organized influential members focused committees

Which type of lobbyists are private individuals who act on their own behalf?

hobbyist

How common is capture?

it is more the exception than the rule

How common is the iron triangle process?

it is very common

The Texas Municipal League, which represents Texas city officials, derives its greatest strength from ______.

its influential membership

Which type of interest group has little power in Texas compared to many other states?

labor unions

The practice of trying to influence members of the legislature is called

lobbying

Interest groups need money for which of the following? Multiple select question. lobbying to pay full-time staff public relations to pay grassroots members electioneering

lobbying to pay full-time staff public relations electioneering

What is the most common technique used by interest groups to promote their interests?

lobbying the state legislature

Activity in Texas state politics by Hispanic Catholics is motivated by concerns about which of the following? Multiple select question. local services school vouchers teaching creationism in school economic advancement abortion

local services economic advancement abortion

Texas first attempted to regulate interest group activities in ______, but that statute was never enforced.

1907

How does the Constitution deal with the issue of interest groups?

1st ammendemnt protected

Approximately how many nonmembership organizations are registered with the Texas Ethics Commission?

2000

Which of the following statements best describes collective bargaining? Collective bargaining requires governing entities to charge all citizens the same rate for services and products. Collective bargaining is the process by which government agencies seek more than one bid for contracts involving government workers. Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees so as to determine the conditions of employment. Collective bargaining requires government negotiations of contracts with its workers to be open to the public.

Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees so as to determine the conditions of employment.

What did James Madison think of the future of interest groups?

He believed that competition between groups would prevent any one from dominating.

What is the primary reason that geographic distribution positively affects the power of interest groups?

It allows groups to command the interest of more legislators.

The 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission did which of the following?

It removed the restrictions on PACs' ability to spend money on campaigns.

Why is it unnecessary for the Texas Municipal League to maintain constant contact with its members?

Its processes are so organized that it functions efficiently without it.

Which group representing Latino interests is the oldest in Texas?

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

What best describes lobbying activities when the legislature is not in session?

Lobbying efforts take place throughout the year but are especially intense during legislative sessions.

What factors have improved the quality of the staff of the Texas legislature in recent years?

More research and information support More staff for committees More full-time staff

Which group played an important role in the civil rights movement and continues to represent African American interests today?

NAACP

In the process of electioneering, money is usually funneled to candidates through ______.

PACs

Which of the following is a regulation that affects Texas PACs? Multiple select question. PACs are required to designate a campaign treasurer. PACs cannot contribute to candidates during a window that begins 30 days prior to the legislative session and ends 20 days after the session ends. PACs must create complete reports identifying every donor who contributed at least $50 to the campaign. The commission limits the amount PACs or individuals can contribute to campaigns to $2,500 per election cycle.

PACs are required to designate a campaign treasurer. PACs cannot contribute to candidates during a window that begins 30 days prior to the legislative session and ends 20 days after the session ends. PACs must create complete reports identifying every donor who contributed at least $50 to the campaign.

Which of the following is not an example of a state and local interest group? State Board of Education Texas Municipal League Texas Police Chiefs Association Texas Association of School Boards

state board of education

States with ______ political parties tend to have weaker interest group influence.

strong

What are the three types of agricultural interest groups in Texas?

suppliers, commodity groups, general farming

Which of the following is an example of a government organization? 1. SLIGs 2. MADD 3. NEA 4.NRA

SLIGs

Which of the following statements about the influence of the Catholic Church in Texas politics is accurate? Catholic Church influence in Texas politics has been steadily declining for the past few decades. Several Texas dioceses joined the Catholic Church in suing the federal government over the Affordable Care Act. Abortion has been the single-issue driver of Catholic Church political action. Most of the Catholic Church activity of recent decades has been in the white upper-class Catholic community.

Several Texas dioceses joined the Catholic Church in suing the federal government over the Affordable Care Act.

Which of the following is an example of a specialized "educational" association? Texas High School Coaches Association Texas State Teachers Association Association of Texas Professional Educators National Education Association

Texas High School Coaches Association

In Texas, which of the following has been heavily influenced by fundamentalist Christian groups?

Texas State Board of Education

Which statement best describes economic activity in Texas? The oil and energy industries dominate the Texas economy. Agricultural interests such as cotton and ranching dominate the Texas economy. The Texas economy is highly diversified, with a strong presence in several industries. Texas relies on high-tech industries for economic growth.

The Texas economy is highly diversified, with a strong presence in several industries.

How does economic diversity affect interest group power in Texas?

The diversified economy has increased the number of interest groups, thus diluting the groups' power.

Which of the following statements best summarize the control the governor of Texas enjoys over state agencies?

The governor makes few significant appointments to state agencies and therefore possesses minimal control over policy decisions.

How is interest group influence weakened in competitive, two-party states?

The parties assume a greater role in recruiting and supporting candidates, replacing a vital function of interest groups.

How does a well-compensated, professional legislative staff reduce the influence of interest groups?

The staff provides most of the research for legislators, who rely less on interest group research.

How does the party structure in Texas affect interest group power and influence?

The weakened structure of party competitiveness strengthens interest group influence.

How has the interest group tactic of entertaining legislators changed over the years?

There is far less provision of entertainment, food, and bribes, but it is still a key part of the process.

Which of the following are considered lobbying efforts? Multiple select question. testifying before a committee hearing about the effect of proposed legislation encouraging members of an interest group to contact legislators regarding legislation publishing a newsletter to keep an interest group informed about legislative activities working with members of the legislature to draft legislation having a casual conversation with a member of the legislature

testifying before a committee hearing about the effect of proposed legislation encouraging members of an interest group to contact legislators regarding legislation working with members of the legislature to draft legislation

State and local interest groups (SLIGs) represent ______.

the organization not its individual members

What organization provides legislative staff assistance in research and information?

the texas legislative council

What groups successfully lobbied the governor of Texas in 2013 over a bill that would have allowed employees alleging they had been subject to wage discrimination to sue their employers in court?

those representing employers

What is the most important reason for lobbyists to focus on the governor?

to influence approval or veto of pending legislation

What is the chief goal of grassroots lobbying efforts by interest groups?

to mobilize supporters to advocate for their organization

The Good Roads Association represents the specific business interests of highway contractors. What is it an example of?

trade associaton