GOVT 2306 Chapter 3 Review: The Texas Legislature
Tom Craddick, the longest-serving member of the Texas State House, was elected in 1969 and is currently eligible for more than $_______ as an annual retirement pension. -1,250 -12,250 -52,250 -125,000
$125,000
For all bills received in the final 10 days of the session, the Governor has ______ days to sign or veto the law, otherwise they become law. Multiple Choice -10 -20 -30 -40
20
In 2017 the percentage of women in the Texas legislature was about -14 percent. -20 percent. -37 percent. -47 percent.
20 percent
A Texas State House member must be a minimum of _____ years of age. -18 -21 -25 -30
21
According to Article IV, Section 8 of the Constitution, special sessions cannot exceed ____ days. -20 -30 -45 -60
30
About ________ of Texas House seats are considered competitive. -6 percent -19 percent -29 percent -39 percent
6 percent
Why did 11 Texas senators go to Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 28, 2003? - They were attending an important conference on redistricting issues. - They wanted to block a bill from passing in a special session. - They were plotting a strategy for a Democratic takeover of the senate. - They were ordered to do so by Governor Rick Perry.
They wanted to block a bill from passing in a special session.
According to House Rules, a member can vote for another member.
True
The Texas legislature meet in ____________ sessions. -annual -bi-annual -biennial
biennial
The purpose of a resolution is generally to -Propose a constitutional amendment -Propose a new law -Recognize someone or something -Change an existing law
recognize someone or something
True or False: A bill classified as an "emergency" must receive a 2/3 vote in each chamber to become effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.
true
The Texas House and Senate can override a governor's veto with a ________ vote. -majority -two-thirds -three-fifths -four-fifths
two-thirds
What is the pay of a member of the Texas legislature, taking into account salary and per diem compensation, in a year that the legislature is in session? -$55,800 -$74,100 -$28,200 -nothing
$28,200
The base yearly salary of a Texas legislator is $__________. -7,200 -29,697 -67,836 -100,113
$7200
Between 1949 and 1975, Texas voters have rejected _____ proposals to switch to annual legislative sessions. -1 -2 -5 -10
5
Current Speaker of the House: -Dennis Bonnen -Dan Patrick -Greg Abbott -Tan Parker
Dennis Bonnen
True or False: Of the 10 most populous states, Texas legislators are paid the most.
False
True or False: The Governor can veto a proposed constitutional amendment.
False
True or False: The Sunset Advisory Commission has the final say as to whether or not a board, agency or commission will be eliminated.
False
True or False: The Texas legislature has the ability to call itself into special session with a 2/3 vote in each chamber.
False
Texas legislative sessions begin in -March of even numbered years. -November of even numbered years. -January of odd numbered years. -January every year.
January of odd numbered years
Which of the following is not true regarding additional compensation of legislators? -Members can use campaign dollars to pay additional staff salaries. -Members are provided health insurance benefits. -Members receive a per diem while in session. -Members are provided $1200 per month for housing in Austin.
Members are provided $1200 per month for housing in Austin.
Which of the following is NOT among the powers of the speaker of the house in the Texas House of Representatives? -appointing all members of standing committees -bill referral to committees -appointing members to calendar committee -committee chair appointment
appointing all members of standing committees
Most bills that are passed in the Texas legislature -are later killed in committee. -are passed in the last two weeks of a session. -are subject to formal rules but not informal rules. -are revenue bills.
are passed in the last two weeks of a session
To be eligible to run for the Texas House you must -be at least 26 years of age. -have resided in the state for three years. -have resided in the district for two years. -be a "qualified" voter.
be a "qualified" voter
To be eligible to run for the Texas Senate you must -meet a minimum income qualification. -be at least 26 years of age. -have resided in the district for at least two years. -have resided in the state for at least three years.
be at least 26 years of age
A state legislature that uses part-time, lower-paid legislators operating under biennial sessions and low staff resources could be said to -need greater citizen legislature participation. -be of low legislative professionalism. -be a trustee legislature. -be a delegate legislature.
be of low legislative professionalism.
After the sixtieth day, before a bill can be considered on the floor of the house (other than local and emergency bills), a four-fifths vote is required. Why? - None of these answers is correct. - quorum requirements of the Texas Constitution - because a two-thirds super majority is always required in the house - house rules about setting and cementing the agenda for bill consideration
house rules about setting and cementing the agenda for bill consideration
Assume both the Texas House and Senate have passed omnibus transportation bills. The bills are almost identical, with slight differences. How will these differences be reconciled prior to the bill being sent to the governor for consideration? -in conference committee -in the standing committees that have jurisdiction -by the governor's staff, who will reconcile any differences -by a special committee that is chaired by the speaker and vice-chaired by the lieutenant governor
in conference committee
In any given legislative session, most bills -pass committee muster but are voted down after floor debate. -clear every hurdle but are vetoed by the governor. -make only minor changes to existing law. -die in conference committee.
make only minor changes to existing law
The lieutenant governor is not formally a senator and cannot vote except in cases of a tie, yet he or she has great power over the senate. Why? -powers similar to those of the speaker of the house -a popular sovereignty mandate -the bully pulpit and the ear of the governor -senatorial tradition
powers similar to those of the speaker of the house
From the early through the mid-twentieth century, ________ areas were generally overrepresented in many state legislatures. -urban -minority -rural -wealthy
rural
As a result of federal court rulings, - seats in both chambers must be assigned by geographic unit rather than by population. - each county gets one seat in the Texas Senate; and seats in the Texas House are based on population. - seats in both chambers of the Texas legislature are based on population. - each county can only have a maximum seven seats in the Texas House.
seats in both chambers of the Texas legislature are based on population
Before a bill is reported on favorably, the committee must have a ____vote. -Simple majority -2/3 -3/4 -Unanimous
simple majority
How do joint resolutions differ from concurrent resolutions? -They only have to pass the Senate, not the House. -They don't require the governor's signature. -They cannot deal with constitutional amendments. -They typically deal only with finance issues.
they don't require the governor's signature
Why was the Legislative Redistricting Board's redistricting plan invalidated by a federal court in the early 1980s? -the "Matthew syndrome" -findings in Lawrence v. Texas -dilution of the impact of rural voters -violation of the Voting Rights Act
violation of the Voting Rights Act
High turnover rates in the Texas legislature are due primarily to -term limits. -electoral defeat. -involvement in scandals. -voluntary retirement.
voluntary retirement
In the 85th Texas legislature, people of color made up ______ of the legislative seats. Multiple Choice - 57.1% - 35.9% - 20.4% - 10.2%
35.9%
With the exception of a redistricting year, what percentage of the Texas Senate seats are elected every two years? -25 percent -33 percent -50 percent -100 percent
50 percent
As of the 2010 reapportionment, Texas State Senators represent approximately ________ constituents. -167,637 -505,789 -811,147 -1 million
811,147
Which of the following is NOT an accurate argument in favor of annual sessions? - Annual sessions allow for more continuous oversight. - Annual sessions afford legislators more time to study proposed legislation. - Annual sessions raise the legislature's profile and check executive power. - Annual sessions allow for more rapid responses to legislation that requires state participation.
Annual sessions afford legislators more time to study proposed legislation.
In the Senate, bills are -Sent to the calendar committee to be scheduled for debate -Scheduled for debate by the Lt. Governor -Heard in the order they leave committee
Heard in the order they leave committee
In what way are Texas, Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota similar? - In all, the state legislature only meets every other year. - All four voted for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. - All have unlimited speed limits on certain controlled-access highways. - They are all in the central time zone.
In all, the state legislature only meets every other year
The per diem rate is set by the ______________. -Speaker of the House -Texas Legislature -Texas Ethics Commission -governor
Texas Ethics Commission
True or False: As of 2010, a Texas State Senator represents more people than does a U.S. Congressman or Congresswoman from Texas.
True
True or False: Texas lawmakers can use campaign funds to supplement staff salaries.
True
True or false: It is legal under Texas campaign laws for lobbyists to provide legislators with gifts such as .22-caliber rifles, binoculars, high chairs, etc.
True
True or false: Under the Texas Constitution, the power to tax resides with the legislature.
True
true or false: The Texas legislature is predominately made up older males, who are well-educated and professionals.
True
How often does reapportionment and redistricting of seats occur in the House of Representatives? -every 2 years -every 4 years -every 8 years -every 10 years
every 10 years
The House Insurance Committee is hearing testimony from the Texas Department of Insurance about the effectiveness of recent procedural changes within the department. Which legislative function is this committee demonstrating? -lawmaking -budget and taxation -management -oversight
oversight
Fundamentally, the Supreme Court decisions in Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims were based on the principle of -states' rights. -equal rights for minorities. -one person, one vote. -"he who has the gold makes the rules."
one person, one vote
The main function of the Sunset Advisory Commission is to -oversee state agencies. -recommend a budget to the state legislature. -set the legislative calendar. -redraw legislative districts.
oversee state agencies
Who submits a recommended budget to the Texas legislature? -a standing committee in the senate -a standing committee in the house -the Legislative Budget Board -the governor's Office of Budget and Management
the Legislative Budget Board
As of the 2010 reapportionment, Texas State House Members represent approximately ________ constituents. -167,637 -505,789 -811,147 -1 million
167,637
The Texas State Senate consists of ________ members, who are elected to _____ year terms. -31; 4 -50; 6 -100; 2 -150; 2
31; 4
Which of the following does not accurately represent Texas State Senate terms? - One half of the members run every two years. - In the election that follows reapportionment, members draw lots to see which half will serve only a two year term. - Following reapportionment, all members of the Texas Senate must run for reelection. - Senators are limited to serving 3 full terms.
senators are limited to serving 3 full terms
In the 2017 legislative session, more than __________ pieces of legislation were filed. -1,000 -5,000 -8,000 -10,000
10,000
What percentage of the Texas House of Representatives is elected during a presidential election year? -25 percent -33 percent -50 percent -100 percent
100 percent
Governor Abbott called one special session in 2017, where ____ of the 508 bills filed where passed. -all -205 -53 -12
12
How long is the Texas legislative session? -140 days -6 months -one year -two years
140 days
The Texas State House consists of ________ members, who are elected to _____ year terms. -50; 6 -31; 4 -150; 2 -100; 2
150; 2
The current Lieutenant Governor of Texas is: -Dan Patrick -Greg Abbott -Tom Craddick -Dennis Bonnen
Dan Patrick
The Texas legislature would be best described as -a solely part time legislature. -a full time legislature, where legislators have large staffs. -a hybrid legislative session where legislators spend approximately -two-thirds of a full time job as legislators.
a hybrid legislative session where legislators spend approximately two-thirds of a full time job as legislators.
Given the demographic makeup of the Texas legislature, which of the following people would be most likely to hold a seat? -a 28-year old -a woman -a schoolteacher -a lawyer
a lawyer
Why did the state of Texas draw new district lines in 2003? -because the Republicans won control of the legislature -because the 2001 map was ruled unconstitutional -because of reapportionment that occurred in 2002 -because the Democrats won control of the legislature
because the Republicans won control of the legislature
Article III, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution creates a ___________ legislature. -Unicameral -bicameral
bicameral
Of the six primary steps that a bill goes through to become a law, which is the only step that may or may not be necessary? -floor action -action by the governor -referral to committee -conference committee action
conference committee action
Which of the following does not reflect legal uses of campaign contributions collected by Texas legislators? -To pay for housing in Austin. -To buy gifts for staffers and other legislators. -To pay for parking, tolls and mobile phones related to serving in office. -Contributions to retirement accounts.
contributions to retirement accounts
Most campaign contributions for Texas legislature races come from -contributors who live outside the district. -super PACs. -federal matching funds. -the candidates' political party.
contributors who live outside the district
A state senator that usually considers all the options and then chooses the one he or she believes is the best is demonstrating the ________ representational role. -trustee -traditional -delegate -moral
delegate
A voter who wants his representative to make decisions based solely on the will of the people desires which type of representative? -citizen-legislator -professional legislator -trustee -delegate
delegate
The lieutenant governor -is largely just a figurehead. -votes on all matters before the Texas House and Senate. -does not have to be from the same party that controls the Texas Senate. -controls the agenda of the Texas House.
does not have to be from the same party that controls the Texas Senate.
As a result of Hunt v. Cromartie (1999), -drawing "safe" districts for both political parties was deemed permissible. -political gerrymandering became less likely. -political gerrymandering was declared unconstitutional. -political gerrymandering was outlawed in several states.
drawing "safe" districts for both political parties was deemed permissible.
In its 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision about voting rights, the Supreme Court - determined that no citizen shall be required to produce identification in order to vote. - ordered the Justice Department to send more voting monitors to several southern states. - found unconstitutional a portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. - found unconstitutional the entirety of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
found unconstitutional a portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The practice of redrawing electoral boundaries for political advantage is known as -gerrymandering. -reapportionment. -redistricting. -reallocation.
gerrymandering
Because of high levels of controversy surrounding redistricting, some states have put redistricting under the control of -independent commissions. -state boards appointed by the governor. -citizens who vote among competing redistricting plans. -committees composed of equal numbers of Senate Democrats and Republicans.
independent commissions
Which of the following statements about reapportionment is NOT accurate? -It may cause a state to gain or lose congressional representatives. -It occurs every 10 years. -It is based on the federal census. -It is the redrawing of congressional district boundaries within the state.
it is the redrawing of congressional district boundaries within the state
The size of legislatures raise issues, as smaller legislatures may be ________, while larger legislatures may be ________. -dominated by a few members; more representative -inefficient; dominated by a few members -more efficient; more representative -dominated by a few members; less representative
more efficient; more representative
What is the annual limit on special legislative sessions in the state of Texas? -2 -5 -9 -None of these answers is correct.
none of these answers is correct
Redistricting is -the process of redrawing district boundaries. -the drawing of district boundary lines for political advantage. -carefully controlled by a commission of the United States Congress. -the process of allocating U.S. senators to districts.
the process of redrawing district boundaries
