Texas Govt 2306 Chapter 6 Interest Groups

lobbying in Texas and 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 descriptions of interest groups are accurate?

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.

Which of the following are changes in campaign financing allowed by the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision?

Certain types of interest groups can avoid having to disclose their political contributors. Interest groups can spend unlimited funds on behalf of candidates so long as the efforts are not coordinated with a campaign.

What are "late-train" contributions?

Contributions to the winning Legislative Candidate

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

Employees from finance, insurance, and real estate provide the most campaign contributions among the groups listed. Most campaign donations go to Republicans in the Texas legislature.

Despite the attention paid to lobbyists by business interests, the interest groups that spend the most on lobbying are public interest groups.

False

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

False

Page 181 Which of the following is the primary goal of an interest group?

Influencing All branches go government

Which of the following is the main goal of a lobbyist?

Influencing Governmental decisions on behalf of interests groups

Which of the following terms refers to a regulatory agency that seems to serve, rather than oversee, the interests it monitors?

Interest Group Capture

In general, Texas has relatively __ rates of civic engagement. Because of this, individual effects on the Texas political process are likely to be __.

Low, Low

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

Revolving Door

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

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

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 school reform members of a community who join together to advocate for improvements in their neighborhood

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

information on pending bills campaign contributions gifts entertainment

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

listing an individual's name as a sponsor of an organization invitation to special conferences subscription to a magazine

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

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

An interest group is called a(n) ___ when it is organized as an umbrella organization that seeks to coordinate the various activities of member groups in a number of targeted areas.

peak association

A(n) ___ is a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in a candidate's election campaigns.

political action committee