Texas Government Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying InQuizitive

Watch the animation on lobbying in Texas, and then determine which of the following statements are accurate.

Because of Texas's large population, a relatively large number of lobbyists seek to influence state government.

Which of the following statements can be supported by the information provided in the table below?

Citizens United vs. FEC led to the creation of large and well-funded super PACs The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. FEC led to a dramatic increase in campaign spending by outside groups in presidential elections. Republican candidates for president have been the most likely to benefit from the impacts of the decision in Citizens United vs. FEC.

Which of the following descriptions of interest groups are accurate?

Groups provide valuable research and education to policymakers and the public on specific issues. Business interests often have more influence than other interests Groups that represent a narrow set of interests are often more successful than those that represent broad interests.

Watch the animation on campaign spending by employees of different industries, and then determine which of the following statements are accurate.

Groups representing finance, insurance, and real estate were the largest contributors in 2016, Most campaign donations go to Republicans in the Texas legislature.

Which Founder and author of the Federalist Papers is best known for arguing that "factions" would play an important and useful role in American politics?

James Madison

Which of the following are reasons why interest groups form political action committees (PACs)?

Substantial contributions from PACs mean greater attention from candidates., PACs can serve as an intermediary between parties., PACs can send a message to a candidate.

Study the information in the table, and then determine which statements can be supported by the information.

Texans express less trust and engagement in their society and social structures than most Americans., Low levels of involvement and volunteer activities correlate with low voter turnout., Of all civic engagement activities, Texans engage in political ones the least.

Analyze the infographic below, and then determine which of the following statements are accurate.

Texas has fewer registered lobbyists per capita than just about any other state. The northeastern region of the U.S. has more lobbyists per capita than Texas.

Analyze the figure below, and then determine which of the following statements are correct.

The overall amount raised by Texas House incumbents is more money than both incumbents and challengers in the Senate races. Approximately 80 percent of all donations made in races for the state legislature is given to incumbents.

What characteristics make former legislators effective lobbyists?

They are often close to or friendly with other lawmakers. They have intimate knowledge of the government process.

Which of the following are arguments former legislators make to defend taking lobbying jobs after leaving office?

They have a right to make a living. They possess unique knowledge., They are in the best position to educate legislators.

Which of the following are examples of incentives that interest groups use to overcome free rider problems?

an organizational magazine or newsletter invitations to special conferences discounts on insurance and travel listing an individual's name as a sponsor of an organization

Interest groups use _ to combine contributions from many donors into one large contribution in order to _ the group's impact on the candidate.

bundling increase

Because Texas generally has low rates of _, individual effects on the Texas political process are likely to be _.

civic engagement low

Effective interest groups tend to have which of the following resources available to them?

credibility, money members

Which of the following would be considered an interest group?

doctors who join together to lobby for more funding for hospitals, citizens from across Texas who join an organization that advocates standardized testing reforms in schools., members of a community who join together to advocate for improvements in their neighborhood

Texas is near the top of the nation in measures of social connectedness that lead to civic engagement.

false

Select which individuals below may become lobbyists for interest groups through the "revolving door" without restrictions.

former senior legislative staffers, former executive branch officials, former legislators

An organization representing more than one hundred thousand educators in the state of Texas employs five full time lobbyists. These lobbyists work through the legislative session to get an increase in pay for their members, but the pay increase their members win also benefits the more than one million educators in Texas. The increase in pay that the educators receive as a result of the organization's work is an example of which of the following?

free rider problem

Which of the following are the most common ways lobbyists influence members of the Texas legislature?

gifts, campaign contributions, entertainment, information on pending bills

What is the usefulness of "late-train" contributions?

help retire campaign debt of winning candidates contributions to the winning candidates to try to build a relationship after the election

Which of the following are strategies that interest groups use to promote their concerns?

lobbying, litigation, electioneering campaigns and get-out-the vote efforts

The Texas Association of Business is an example of a(n) _ because it acts as an umbrella organization that coordinates many of the activities of its various business members in specific areas.

peak association

An individual can have the greatest influence on public policy when they have what trait(s)?

persistence well-reasoned argument

What is the primary goal of interest groups when they interact with policymakers?

policies that are beneficial to their groups

What is the term used to describe former legislators who become lobbyists?

revolving door

Which of these rights from the First Amendment most guarantees the right of individuals to become a part of interest groups?

right to peacefully assemble