Texas Govt. Exam 3 Review Questions Ch. 6,7

Because they seek the betterment of society without affecting their members' finances, public interest groups such as Environment Texas are considered to be a. mixed interest groups. b. private interest groups. c. economic interest groups. d. noneconomic interest groups.

d. noneconomic interest groups.

What rule ensures that legislation is not rushed through the voting process without proper consideration? A. A bill must be read on three consecutive days in each chamber. B. Members are required to sign a form with their vote stating that they have read the bill. C. Members may not consider a bill on the floor until 120 days after it is introduced. D. A bill must have attached to it an analysis of the budgetary impact and position papers by interest groups on each side. E. Members must make comments on the record for each bill.

A. A bill must be read on three consecutive days in each chamber.

What is an informal qualification for candidates who want to win a seat in the Texas House? A. Being able to raise campaign funds B. Being at least 21 years of age C. Living in the state for five years prior to being elected D. Living in the district for one year prior to being elected E. Being a U.S. citizen

A. Being able to raise campaign funds

What is the gerrymandering technique that divides up a minority party's voters into so many geographical districts that their voting power in any one district is negligible (thus diluting their votes)? A. Cracking B. Packing C. Hacking D. Chubbing E. Pairing

A. Cracking

Which of the following scenarios most significantly confirms suspicion that elite theory is the best descriptor of Texas politics? A. Despite heavy lobbying from both sides, the legislature regularly sides with corporate interests over consumer interests. B. There are so many lobbyists representing so many groups that legislators often face gridlock as they try to choose a position. C. Nearly every Texan is involved in an interest group, and participation rates are going up. D. Confronted with significant grassroots opposition, state judges overturned a law that would have shielded banks from certain liability claims. E. All of these are correct.

A. Despite heavy lobbying from both sides, the legislature regularly sides with corporate interests over consumer interests.

What feature of the Texas legislature leads political scientists to characterize it as a citizen legislature? A. The legislature meets for only 140 days biennially, and the salary is low. B. The legislators serving in the Texas legislature tend to be less educated than in most other states. C. Most members of the Texas legislature only have one staff member. D. The legislators do not have offices. E. There are no independent research groups to provide information to legislators, such as the Congressional Research Service at the national level.

A. The legislature meets for only 140 days biennially, and the salary is low.

Which is a true characterization of the short 140-day biennial legislative sessions in Texas? A. They create the need for more 30-day special sessions. B. They give legislators more time to review bills in the "off-session," reducing the amount of time needed for debate during the regular sessions. C. They provide more opportunity for the legislature to exercise oversight of the governor/executive. D. They simplify the process of reviewing legislation and getting bills passed. E. They tend to be more focused and productive; consequently, more legislation gets reviewed.

A. They create the need for more 30-day special sessions.

Ch. 6 Test Prep What is the primary goal of interest groups' campaign contribution efforts? A. To gain access to officials in the future B. To defeat incumbents C. To buy the votes of elected officials D. To influence future appointments to regulatory agencies E. To shift public opinion on an issue

A. To gain access to officials in the future

Which of the following best describes an interest group? A. A group of legislators who work together to shape public policy in the interests of their supporters B. An organization of individuals or businesses that seek to influence government policies in their favor C. A group of like-minded individuals who organize to help nominate and elect candidates for office D. A group of business owners who have contracts with state government E. An organization of government employees whose political views often shape the direction of policy

B. An organization of individuals or businesses that seek to influence government policies in their favor

Ch 7 Test Prep What representative type would rely upon town hall meetings and deliberative polls to make decisions on bills before voting? A. Descriptive B. Delegate C. Sociotropic D. Allocative E. Trustee

B. Delegate

The fact that the Texas legislature is disproportionately white and male compared to the population of Texas means that it lacks what? A. Symmetry B. Descriptive representation C. Authority D. Allocative representation E. Policy representation

B. Descriptive representation

Which method of prolonged debate can be used only in the Senate to delay and maybe cause the bill to be changed or to not reach the floor? A. Chubbing B. Filibuster C. Quorum D. Point of order E. Pigeonholing

B. Filibuster

Which of the following interest group tactics may explain why so many Texas judicial decisions have favored corporations over consumers and workers? A. Interest groups for consumers are generally more focused on legislation rather than litigation. B. Interest groups representing business actively campaign for and contribute financially to the election of judges favorable to their interests. C. Interest groups are often responsible for the legal fees associated with high-profile cases. D. Interest groups focus on influencing the laws of the state, so court battles often turn in their favor. E. Interest groups use the Texas Register to their advantage when it comes to filing lawsuits.

B. Interest groups representing business actively campaign for and contribute financially to the election of judges favorable to their interests.

What is an example that illustrates legislative oversight? A. Legislators charge the governor with a crime. B. Legislators hold hearings to examine potential wasteful spending in an agency such as the Health and Human Services Commission. C. Legislators vote on the confirmation of a governor's nominee. D. Legislators determine the budget of executive agencies. E. Legislators seek input from voters prior to determining their position on a bill.

B. Legislators hold hearings to examine potential wasteful spending in an agency such as the Health and Human Services Commission.

What is the term that describes direct contact between an interest group representative and an officer of government? A. Electioneering B. Lobbying C. Co-optation D. Litigation E. Advocacy

B. Lobbying

The redistricting process is necessary to address what issue? A. Small state bias B. Population shifts C. Uncompetitive elections D. Financial inequities E. Partisan sorting

B. Population shifts

Which of the following best explains why some analysts may be concerned about the existence of iron triangles? A. Policies that are made within iron triangles often ignore the needs of interest groups in the state. B. The close relationships that develop within iron triangles tend to lead to policy making that is largely hidden from the public. C. The support between interest groups and bureaucracies tends to reduce the power of the executive branch. D. The work of iron triangles tends to be widely opposed by the public. E. Iron triangles contribute to a lack of communication between the legislature and the bureaucracy in charge of implementing laws that have been passed.

B. The close relationships that develop within iron triangles tend to lead to policy making that is largely hidden from the public.

Why do many public interest groups—such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund—often rely on the courts instead of the legislative or executive branches to advance their members' interests? A. They often need to defend legislative victories against opponents who bring suit against new laws. B. They often lack the funding to compete with other interest groups in lobbying and electioneering. C. They often represent a majority interest that can sway the court. D. They often oppose federal court rulings and seek state remedies. E. They often spend vast resources on campaign contributions for candidates for the state judiciary.

B. They often lack the funding to compete with other interest groups in lobbying and electioneering.

Why is the Texas Register used by interest groups? A. To keep tabs on political appointments proposed by the governor as a means to identify new leaders with whom the group needs to gain influence B. To review rule changes proposed by state agencies in order to organize lobbying efforts against proposed administrative changes that are not in their interest C. To comply with federal lobbying regulations and report the names and affiliations of every lobbyist who works in the Texas legislature D. To publicize their political goals and gather support for their interests by sharing the stories of individual citizens aligned with their interest E. To monitor community level changes in political affiliation, based on voters in primary elections, in order to strategize for future public relations campaigns

B. To review rule changes proposed by state agencies in order to organize lobbying efforts against proposed administrative changes that are not in their interest

Which of the following best describes the power an administrative agency has in implementing policy requirements set by law? A. Permission B. Accommodation C. Discretion D. Authorization E. Registration

C. Discretion

Which of the following statements most accurately describes an advantage of interest groups? A. Interest groups are best able to represent geographic interests. B. Interest groups allow individuals to elect candidates to state office efficiently. C. Interest groups help to inform and organize the most interested citizens. D. Interest groups help isolate officeholders from public opinion. E. Interest groups minimize competition in policy making.

C. Interest groups help to inform and organize the most interested citizens.

Why is Texans for Public Justice considered a "public interest" group? A. Creating a society where equal rights are assured to people of all races improves diversity. B. The lower taxes it seeks will benefit everyone. C. Its goal to check the influence of corporate money in politics should increase the power of all voters. D. Opening Texas to investment from out of state will boost the entire state's economy. E. Lobbying for higher public spending in education and social services benefits everyone.

C. Its goal to check the influence of corporate money in politics should increase the power of all voters.

What is one way that smaller interest groups can most effectively boost their political power? A. Organize members in a get-out-the-vote campaign B. Focus all available funds on campaign contributions C. Join together to form an umbrella organization to hire common lobbyists D. Speak out publicly against large interest groups to highlight corruption E. Utilize volunteer lobbyists to meet with legislators on the opening day of the legislature

C. Join together to form an umbrella organization to hire common lobbyists

To what does suspension of the rule refer? A. Setting aside bills with no action taken on them for the entire legislative session B. Setting aside the rule stating that the governor must approve a declaration of impeachment C. Setting aside the rule that puts bills in chronological order so that other bills can be considered D. Setting aside the Legislative Budget Board review of appropriations bills in order to pass a statewide budget E. All of these are correct

C. Setting aside the rule that puts bills in chronological order so that other bills can be considered

Which of the following best describes why interest groups attempt to influence the executive branch in policy making? A. The executive branch adopts the appropriations bill. B. The executive branch can overturn policies that are seen as violating federal law. C. The executive branch shapes regulations as it outlines implementation for new policies. D. The executive branch can propose state constitutional amendments as necessary. E. All of these are correct.

C. The executive branch shapes regulations as it outlines implementation for new policies.

Which of the following best explains why so many successful lobbyists are former legislators? A. They are likely to have a financial advantage over new lobbyists. B. They are allowed to attend meetings that are otherwise closed to the public. C. They have already made connections and developed relationships with current members of the legislature. D. They can bring an outsider's perspective to the legislative process. E. They are less likely to face charges of corruption.

C. They have already made connections and developed relationships with current members of the legislature.

Why are groups such as Texas Right to Life and the National Rifle Association of Texas so successful in influencing legislators? A. Their groups are the best financed groups in the state. B. They employ the most professional lobbyists. C. They represent people on issues that members generally use as their primary "voting issue." D. Their tactics focus primarily on the courts, allowing them to thwart the efforts of other groups. E. They are the longest-standing groups in the state, which means they have strong connections to sitting legislators.

C. They represent people on issues that members generally use as their primary "voting issue."

Why might economic interest groups find more success than public interest groups? A. Economic interest groups tend to seek broader policy changes. B. Economic interest groups tend to have more diverse membership. C. Economic interest groups often benefit larger numbers of people. D. Economic interest groups generally have more resources with which to lobby. E. All of these are correct.

D. Economic interest groups generally have more resources with which to lobby.

What is a consequence of both chambers of the state legislature having nonpartisan institutions that will provide information to the legislators? A. Having these nonpartisan institutions eliminates gridlock since this nonpartisan institution can provide unbiased information. B. Having these nonpartisan institutions means that they pass most of the legislation they introduce since it has been vetted by an independent group. C. These nonpartisan institutions ensure that no flawed bills make it into consideration. D. These nonpartisan institutions reduce legislators' dependence on special interests and administrative agencies for information. E. All of these are correct.

D. These nonpartisan institutions reduce legislators' dependence on special interests and administrative agencies for information.

Which of the following are characteristics of a conference committee? A. A conference committee is temporary and has only members from one chamber. B. A conference committee is permanent, has only members from one chamber, and has original jurisdiction over bills. C. A conference committee considers only the governor's appointments. D. A conference committee is formed only for executive oversight purposes. E. A conference committee is temporary, consists of members from each chamber, and resolves differences between the house and senate versions of a bill.

E. A conference committee is temporary, consists of members from each chamber, and resolves differences between the house and senate versions of a bill.

Which of the following statements supports the argument that Texas operates under a pluralist system? A. Lobbyists provide information to legislators. B. Interest groups have few active members. C. Interest groups have widely varying levels of resources and political access. D. Many interest groups focus on a single issue. E. A wide variety of competing groups represent nearly every interest in the state.

E. A wide variety of competing groups represent nearly every interest in the state.

What is an activity of interest groups? A. To influence government policy makers B. To mobilize citizens C. To testify before legislative committees D. To inform and educate public officials E. All of these are correct.

E. All of these are correct.

What is the process of drawing district lines in such a way as to give an advantage to candidates from a certain party, ethnic group, or faction at the expense of other groups? A. Redistricting B. Reapportionment C. Sorting D. Sectioning E. Gerrymandering

E. Gerrymandering

What is one consequence of gerrymandering? A. Gerrymandering always produces better representation. B. Gerrymandering results in more competition in politics. C. Gerrymandering is used to ensure that the concept of "one person, one vote" is upheld. D. Gerrymandering is only possible in a one-party system. E. Gerrymandering results in vote dilution of certain individuals.

E. Gerrymandering results in vote dilution of certain individuals.

In situations of co-optation, who has the upper hand in the regulation process? A. The governor B. Government regulators C. Concerned members of the public D. Legislators E. Interest groups

E. Interest groups

What was the consequence of the Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision? A. It effectively ended partisan gerrymandering as the Court ruled that partisanship cannot be taken into consideration in redistricting. B. It strengthened the Voting Rights Act, expanding the number of states required to get preclearance for changes in electoral rules. C. It ended opportunities of gerrymandering as the Courts now require states to move toward a nonpartisan, independent commission to draw legislative districts. D. It eliminated racial gerrymandering, stating that race may not be used as a criterion in redistricting. E. It weakened the Voting Rights Act, and Texas no longer is required to get preclearance for changes in electoral rules.

E. It weakened the Voting Rights Act, and Texas no longer is required to get preclearance for changes in electoral rules.

Which type of committee screens bills by holding hearings, debating, and marking up bills before allowing them to be considered by the whole House or Senate? A. Joint B. Conference C. Oversight D. Select E. Standing

E. Standing

What are the terms for office for members of the legislature? A. Texas senators are elected for six-year staggered terms; representatives are elected for two-year terms. B. Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms, as are representatives. C. Texas senators are elected for two-year terms; representatives also are elected for two-year terms. D. Texas senators are elected for two-year staggered terms; representatives are elected for four-year terms. E. Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms; representatives are elected for two-year terms.

E. Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms; representatives are elected for two-year terms.

Who is the presiding officer of the Texas state senate? A. The speaker B. Majority leaders C. The governor D. The president pro tempore E. The lieutenant governor

E. The lieutenant governor

Under which of the following circumstances would electioneering be an interest group's most valuable tool? A. Large protests are brewing over the passage of a law the group supported. B. A bureaucratic decision has threatened the interests of the group. C. The legislature is considering a bill that would benefit large numbers of the group's members. D. The governor has announced that she will begin searching for an appointee for a vacant regulatory position. E. There is an open-seat race in a competitive district where voter turnout is likely to be decisive.

E. There is an open-seat race in a competitive district where voter turnout is likely to be decisive.

What rule makes quick and efficient law making in the Texas state senate difficult? A. Suspension of the rules B. Markup C. Committee of the whole D. Point of order E. Three-fifths rule

E. Three-fifths rule

Which individual subscribes to the pluralist theory of interest groups regarding public policy in a free society? a. Colin thinks that public policy should be made by a multitude of competing interest groups, assuring that policies will not benefit a single elite at the expense of the many. b. Namrata thinks that public policy should be made entirely by lobbyists and competing interest groups and should not be left in the hands of corrupt politicians. c. Joel thinks that public policy should be made by the officials in power without the corrupting influence of competing interest groups. d. Maria thinks that public policy should be subject to strict scrutiny standards and voted on by the general public in yearly elections.

a. Colin thinks that public policy should be made by a multitude of competing interest groups, assuring that policies will not benefit a single elite at the expense of the many.

Interest group influence in the form of political participation through speaking, writing, and petitioning government for "redress of grievances" is a protected right guaranteed by which Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? a. First b. Second c. Fourteenth d. Nineteenth

a. First

Which person exemplifies the reason why many people join noneconomic interest groups? a. Sandra strongly believes that life begins at conception. She joined the Texas Right to Life movement because of her beliefs. b. Tyler is a wheat farmer. He joined the Texas Farm Bureau because the group represents farmers when legislative issues arise that deal with fair trade issues; he wants to make sure he is able to earn as much income as possible. c. Ann is a teacher. She is a member of the Texas State Teachers Association—a group that not only fights for fair teacher compensation, but also advocates for school safety and free lunch programs for students. d. Lance is an electrician. He is a member of the local electrical union that fights for increased salaries and benefits for all electricians.

a. Sandra strongly believes that life begins at conception. She joined the Texas Right to Life movement because of her beliefs.

Which statement regarding the salary and compensation of Texas legislators is TRUE? a. Texas legislators that use retainer and consulting fees to increase their compensation also increase their potential for conflicts of interest. b. Most Texans feel their legislators are paid too much for the little time they are in session and want to see their salaries reduced. c. Although the salary of Texas legislators is low, their per diem and travel allowances more than make up for the low salary. d. Texas legislators are the highest paid large-state legislators in the country.

a. Texas legislators that use retainer and consulting fees to increase their compensation also increase their potential for conflicts of interest.

What statement regarding the Texas lieutenant governor is TRUE? a. The lieutenant governor has extensive legislative, organizational, procedural, administrative, and planning authority. b. The lieutenant governor serves as the Texas Senate president but is not given any legislative authority. c. The lieutenant governor shares the same party affiliation as the governor. d. The lieutenant governor is appointed by the governor for a four-year term.

a. The lieutenant governor has extensive legislative, organizational, procedural, administrative, and planning authority.

The Texas Speaker of the House is a. elected from among the members of the Texas House of Representatives. b. chosen by the lieutenant governor. c. elected by the voters in a statewide election. d. appointed by the governor.

a. elected from among the members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Drawing district lines in a manner that provides a political candidate with an advantage is called a. gerrymandering. b. malapportionment. c. ex officio. d. reapportionment.

a. gerrymandering.

What are late-train contributions? a. Contributions given to a legislator by an interest group late in the legislative session with the hope that legislation favorable to the group will be passed before the legislative session adjourns b. Campaign funds given to the winning candidate after the election up to 30 days before the legislature comes into session c. Interest group contributions to a candidate's reelection campaign, given only after the candidate has supported legislation favorable to the interest group d. Special interest group fundraising parties that occur in the last 30 days before an election and are used to help get their candidate elected

b. Campaign funds given to the winning candidate after the election up to 30 days before the legislature comes into session

Suppose the legislative session for the year is in its final days. A senator wants to delay the passage of a bill until the next session. What can that senator do in order to delay the passage of the bill? a. Submit a resolution b. Engage in a filibuster c. Call for legislative redress d. Begin packing procedures

b. Engage in a filibuster

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Reynolds v. Sims? a. It required that legislative districts remain the same size, despite population changes. b. It required that legislative districts be approximately equal in population size. c. It required that redistricting take place every five years via a special census. d. It allowed the use of gerrymandering when drawing legislative boundaries.

b. It required that legislative districts be approximately equal in population size.

Which situation is an example of the legislative practice known as a "resolution"? a. The Texas legislature determines how bills will be placed on the calendar. b. The Texas legislature designates March as the official month of the Alamo. c. The Texas legislature requires its committees to submit reports on how they conduct their operations. d. The Texas legislature uses census data to divide the population into legislative districts.

b. The Texas legislature designates March as the official month of the Alamo.

Which theory views the state as being ruled by a small number of participants who exercise power to further their own self-interest? a. The realist theory b. The elitist theory c. The pluralist theory d. The co-optation theory

b. The elitist theory

A group of wealthy Texans might contribute to a campaign in order to help their lobbyists "get in the door" and talk about their needs with legislative officials. This is known as gaining a. partisanship. b. access. c. favor. d. vetoes.

b. access.

The Legislative Redistricting Board of Texas is ex officio. This means that its members have a position on the board automatically because they a. own one of the major industries in the state. b. also hold some other public office. c. are considered a minority. d. are not a declared member of any political party.

b. also hold some other public office.

Ch 6 Wrap It Up Quiz Outraged by the number of fatalities in the state due to drunk driving, a group of concerned citizens voluntarily ban together to pressure lawmakers to increase spending on alcohol awareness programs. This group is an example of a. an iron triangle. b. an interest group. c. a support group. d. an umbrella organization.

b. an interest group.

Business and professional groups, educational groups, agricultural groups, or labor groups that seek financial advantages for their members are referred to as a. astroturf interest groups. b. economic interest groups. c. mixed interest groups. d. noneconomic interest groups.

b. economic interest groups.

When an issue network taps into a large set of issues important to masses of people who are seeking broad changes in the direction of government policies, the issue network has blossomed into a(n) a. clientele group. b. political movement. c. political action committee. d. iron triangle.

b. political movement.

The term used to reflect the redrawing of district and precinct lines following the national census to reflect population changes is a. packing. b. reapportionment. c. allocation. d. gerrymandering.

b. reapportionment.

When a committee decides to pigeonhole a bill, that bill is a. included on the roll call. b. set aside and no action is taken on it. c. compared to other bills on the same subject matter. d. presented for public opinion.

b. set aside and no action is taken on it.

All Texas legislators are elected from a. multiple-member districts. b. single-member districts. c. regional districts. d. select districts.

b. single-member districts.

Because Texas does not require a "cooling-off" period nor ban legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office, many ex-lawmakers in Texas become lobbyists for the very interest groups they once regulated. This is referred to as a. co-optation. b. the revolving door. c. astroturf lobbying. d. the iron triangle.

b. the revolving door.

When many smaller interests, such as industries, wholesalers, producers, retailers, and professionals, join together to promote their common policy goals, it is called a(n) a. pressure group. b. umbrella organization. c. iron alliance. d. business network.

b. umbrella organization.

Identify the example of a mixed interest group? a. A coalition of right to life groups b. A group fighting for cleaner air c. A group fighting discrimination against Latinos d. A professional association for a particular occupation

c. A group fighting discrimination against Latinos

In Texas, which type of interest group is the most powerful and is frequently aligned with the Republican Party? a. Environmental groups b. Civil rights groups c. Business and professional groups d. Organized labor groups

c. Business and professional groups

What does NOT have to be reported by lobbyists in the report they file with the Texas Ethics Commission? a. The policy areas of concern b. Their actual clients c. The exact dollar amount of compensation received d. Expenditures for communications designed to support or oppose legislation

c. The exact dollar amount of compensation received

Of all the people that represent the diverse nature of the Texas citizenry, which group is LEAST likely to be represented in the Texas legislature? a. African Americans, who are wealthy b. White Anglo males, who may or may not have a college degree c. Women, who work in professional fields d. White Anglo males, who are business owners or executives

c. Women, who work in professional fields

The first bill placed on the senate calendar each session that most likely will never be considered by the full senate is referred to as a. legislative redress. b. a resolution. c. a blocking bill. d. cracking.

c. a blocking bill.

Issue networks are likely to address a. county ordinances. b. global economic issues. c. broad public policy questions. d. minor legislative reform.

c. broad public policy questions.

Ch 7 Wrap IT UP Quiz Legislators in Texas meet for only 140 days every other year, deal with a heavy workload and receive only a small income for their work. Because of this, the Texas legislature has often been referred to as a(n) a. limited legislature. b. professional legislature. c. citizen legislature. d. efficient legislature.

c. citizen legislature.

If the legislature in Texas wanted to achieve descriptive representation, it would need to a. make sure that the vast majority of representatives are non-Hispanic white, which is the majority group in the state. b. make sure that the number of representatives elected is equal across all legislative districts. c. elect representatives that reflect constituents' ethnic and social characteristics. d. elect representatives willing to support issues that reflect all the major industries in Texas, such as agriculture, oil, and natural gas.

c. elect representatives that reflect constituents' ethnic and social characteristics.

An interest group representative arranges to meet with a state legislator to convince the legislator to support a particular public policy. This activity is referred as a. politicking. b. advocacy. c. lobbying. d. issue networking.

c. lobbying.

What type of lobbying occurs when special interest groups orchestrate demonstrations to give the impression of widespread and spontaneous public support for the issues they support? a. Clientele lobbying b. Grassroots lobbying c. Umbrella lobbying d. Astroturf lobbying

d. Astroturf lobbying

When the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, a committee is appointed to resolve the differences between the two versions. What is this committee called? a. Blocking b. Partisan c. Conservative d. Conference

d. Conference

Which gerrymandering technique attempts to diffuse concentrated political party voters among several districts so that their votes within any one district are negligible? a. Packing b. Dividing c. Pairing d. Cracking

d. Cracking

Which type of resolution requires approval of both houses but does not require action by the governor? a. Simple b. Conference c. Concurrent d. Joint

d. Joint

Which tactic is especially effective in generating publicity for special interest groups because it creates a sort of "theater" that is well suited for television news and online media sites? a. Creating blogs and online forums b. Bribing lawmakers c. Sending letters to lawmakers d. Organizing marches and demonstrations

d. Organizing marches and demonstrations

Which statement accurately characterizes the short-term, biennial sessions in Texas? a. Having short-term, biennial sessions gives legislators more time to review bills in the "off-session," reducing the amount of time needed for debate during the regular sessions. b. Since the amount of legislation to be reviewed is small, these types of sessions are appropriate. c. Short-term, biennial sessions tend to be more focused and productive and consequently, more legislation gets reviewed. d. The short-term, biennial sessions often necessitate the need for 30-day special sessions.

d. The short-term, biennial sessions often necessitate the need for 30-day special sessions.

How many members of each house must be present for a quorum to be satisfied? a. One-half b. One-fourth c. Three-quarters d. Two-thirds

d. Two-thirds

What statement BEST describes the idea of co-optation? a. When organized interests use the courts to further their causes and in doing so, solicit the media to bring public attention to the cause and put pressure on decision-makers b. When lobbyists seek to influence the rule-making power of the executive branch along with trying to influence the policy-making power of the legislative branch c. When organized interests attempt to delay the implementation of laws or rules by filing suit d. When a government agency, established to regulate a particular industry, ends up being influenced and controlled by the agency it was supposed to regulate

d. When a government agency, established to regulate a particular industry, ends up being influenced and controlled by the agency it was supposed to regulate

In which situation would the Texas legislature use its bureaucratic oversight function? a. When reviewing House and Senate versions of a bill to come up with a compromise b. When passing a resolution that requires no action by the governor c. When reviewing the redistricting process to ensure districts are equal in size d. When reviewing a state agency to ensure it is meeting its intended purpose

d. When reviewing a state agency to ensure it is meeting its intended purpose

What is unique about the Texas state budget? a. The budget is approved by the Legislative Budget Board and not by the legislature. b. The budget is most often approved during a 30-day special session. c. While most states approve a budget on a yearly basis, Texas approves a budget once every five years. d. While most states have only one budget, Texas has two.

d. While most states have only one budget, Texas has two.

In the rule-making process, the legislature allows executive agencies wide latitude to make decisions within the broad requirements set out in the law. This is referred to as a. implementation. b. lobbying. c. co-optation. d. discretion.

d. discretion.

A long-standing alliance among interest groups, legislators, and bureaucrats held together by mutual self-interest and who act as a subsystem in the legislative and administrative decision-making process is referred to as a(n) a. umbrella organization. b. pressure group. c. concrete coalition. d. iron triangle.

d. iron triangle.

The two types of standing committees in the legislature are substantive and a. standing. b. administrative. c. joint. d. procedural.

d. procedural.