Texas Government Module 3 Exam Ch.8 and 9

When a state judge dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the vacancy is filled through

gubernatorial appointment.

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

Gerrymandering

Who acts as Commander-in-Chief of the state's military forces?

The governor

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 group recommends to the legislature whether a state agency should be abolished, merged, reorganized, or retained?

Sunset Advisory Commission

Which group oversees statewide school testing in Texas?

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

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

What is the policy in Texas regarding term limits on the governor?

Texas does not place term limits on governors.

What restriction is placed on the Texas governor's special session power?

The length of a special session is limited to 30 days.

Should a governor die, resign, or be removed from office, or should a governor-elect refuse to take office or be permanently unable to fill the office, who would be the first to succeed him or her?

The lieutenant governor

All bills that produce revenue must originate where?

in the House.

A Texas legislator's expense allowance can be used for

staff salaries.

After the legislature adjourns, how long does the governor have to veto pending bills and concurrent resolutions?

20 days

What is the minimum age required to run for governor of Texas?

30

While the governor agreed that the convicted criminal should have her rights restored, he required that she not be allowed to practice medicine again in her lifetime. Which act of executive clemency is being used?

A conditional pardon

What is needed for a bill to pass the Senate?

A simple majority

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

A simple resolution

What power allows the Texas governor to nominate friends and political supporters for political positions?

Appointive power

What is the only constitutionally prescribed method of forcing a Texas governor from office before the end of a term?

Impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate

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

In the year after a federal census

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

It becomes law.

The line-item veto gives the Texas governor control over which aspect of the state?

Budget spending

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

Lieutenant governor

The Board of Pardons and Paroles can grant convicted criminals what type of clemency without action by the governor?

Paroles

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

Racial/Ethnic

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

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

The Center for Public Policy Priorities

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

The House of Representatives

What is the Railroad Commission of Texas currently responsible for?

Regulating the oil and gas industry

What is true regarding the annual salary of Texas legislators?

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

The Texas Senate's president pro tempore presides when the

lieutenant governor is absent or disabled.

The Texas governor delivers a State of the State address to promote a harmonious relationship with legislators. This address is an example of

message power

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

placed before it by the governor

If the governor decides to strike a bargain with a senator in which he promises not to deny funding for the senator's pet project and in return, the senator agrees to support a bill the governor favors, this would be an example of

pork-barrel politics

In a death sentence case, the governor of Texas can temporarily suspend execution through a

reprieve

Thomas is a Texas senator. When he supports a bill that is introduced into the Senate, he sometimes debates the bill excessively with his fellow senators for the purpose of using time and preventing floor action on another bill that he opposes. Thomas is using a tactic known as

chubbing.

When Governor Rick Perry used social media to connect with constituents by sending a holiday greeting, he was using social media to enhance his

informal powers.

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

Attorney

Which office gives advice concerning the constitutionality of pending legislative bills?

Attorney general

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

What is one way the legislature limits the governor's control over the state bureaucracy?

By limiting the governor's independent removal power

Who is primarily responsible for law enforcement in the state of Texas?

City police departments and county sheriffs' departments

During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency. What power was he exercising?

Executive

How does a Texas House member introduce a bill?

Filing electronically with the chief clerk

Which executive official's duties include awarding oil, gas, and sulfur leases for lands owned by the state?

The commissioner of the General Land Office

Who is the state's chief accounting officer and tax collector?

The comptroller of public accounts

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

The first odd-numbered year in a decade