Tx Govt. Chapter 7 – Flashcards
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1. In Texas, what kinds of issues provoke intense partisan battles? 201
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Social issues
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2. In the Texas legislature, what are the compositions of the House and the Senate? 202
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150 members in the House & 31 in Senate
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3. What are the terms of senators and House members in Texas? 202
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2 years in house and 4 in senate
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4. When does the Texas legislature take office? 202
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140 days every odd-numbered year
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5. What is one of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature? 202
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The author of a bill in one house that has been amended in the other body has the option of accepting or rejecting the amendment; if it is accepted it continues on if not then it is "spot on" killed.
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6. What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar? 202
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Reserved for uncontroversial bills/bills limited to a localized problem.
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7. What are the requirements for holding office in the Texas legislature? 202
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Must be a U.S. citizen
At least the age of 26(senator) 21(Representative) Qualified voter "no felonies"
Resident of Texas for at least 5 years(senator) 2 years(Representative)
District resident for 1 year
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8. Describe who is most likely to be the typical Texas legislator? 202
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White male, protestant, college educated, affluent,professional degree or has an occupation in business
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9. For how long does the Texas legislature meet? 202
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140 days
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10. Who sets the agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature? 204
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The Governor of Texas
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11. Are the special sessions common practice in the Texas legislature?
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No
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12. In 2004 and 2005, three special sessions were called in the Texas legislature for what purpose? 206
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address school finance
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13. Where do revenue bills originate from? 206
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House of Representatives
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14. Describe a local bill. Give an example. 206
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Might allow a county to create a sports authority or to establish a community college
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15. Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state? 209
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General bill
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16. What do you understand by a "special bill?" 206, 209
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It only benefits an individual or business it's like a special exemption. It can grant compensation to an individual who is wrongly convicted and sentenced to prison.
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17. What is the main difference between a bill and a resolution? 209
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Unlike a bill, if a resolution is passed it lacks the force of public law
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18. In four to five sentences, describe the supervisory powers of the Texas legislature? 210
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Enables the legislature to have considerable control over the executive branch of govt. It determines the size of the appropriation each agency has to spend for the next 2 years. The amount of money an agency has determines how well it can carry out its goals and obj. A review of each agency of state govt. takes place every 12 years.
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19. What is unique (or special) about simple resolutions? 209
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Simple resolutions concern only the Texas House or the Senate but do not require the governor's signature. Resolutions of honor or recognition are acted on without debate and without requiring members to read the resolutions.
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20. What kinds of services Texas representatives provide to their constituencies?
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Texas representatives have the power to get things done for or in the name of constituents. Efforts on behalf of constituents may involve legislative activity, such as introducing a bill or voting on a resolution. Often, however, working on behalf of constituents involves non-legislative activity, such as arranging an appointment for a constituent with a government agency that regulates some aspect of the constituent's life, writing a letter of recommendation for a constituent, or giving a speech to a civic group in the legislator's district.
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21. List and describe the nonlegislative powers of the Texas legislature? 209-210
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Serve constituents Electoral powers Investigative powers Directive and supervisory powers Judicial powers
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22. Unlike other states, who can introduce a bill in the Texas legislature? 210
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Members of the legislature can introduce a bill in the Texas legislature.
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23. In Texas, who can write a bill? 210
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Bills can be written by members of the executive branch, lobbyists, constituents, or local government entities. Legislators may also write bills, often with the help of a legislative staff expert in drafting legislation.
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24. List and describe briefly the different steps of introducing a bill in the House? 211-216
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Introduction Referral Consideration by standing committee Floor action Conference committee action Action by the governor
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25. In the Texas legislature, who are responsible of referring a bill to a standing committee in the House and in the Senate? 211
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The Speaker and lieutenant governor can assign bills to a standing committee.
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26. According to the rules of the legislature, how many lectures a bill is required? 211
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Three separate times
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27. There are certain rules that apply to the filibuster in the Texas Senate that are quite different from those in the U.S. Senate. What are those rules? 214
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No eating/drinking during a filibuster
Senators must stand on their desks they may not lean, sit, or use their desk or chair in any matter
Speak in an audible voice
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28. In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens?
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The bill is killed by the CHAIR of the standing committee
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29. As in the U.S. Congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature? 215
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Reach a compromise over how the final bill "combination of both bills" should be reported to the House and Senate.
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30. What are the legislative powers of the Texas governor? 204, 216
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Calling special sessions
Signing/vetoing bills
Setting agenda in state of state address
Visit with legislators to obtain votes on a bill
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31. In Texas, why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful? 216
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No representative or senate member will be informed since this is action takes place only when they are absent "vacation".
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32. What is line-item veto? 216
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A verto of a bill that occurs after the legislature adjourns, thus preventing the legislature from overriding it.
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33. In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of (what kind of power)? 216
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Message power- the governor's ability to communicate with the legislature.
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34. In addition to the legislators and the governor, there are others involved in the lawmaking process during both regular and special sessions. Which official has direct involvement in the legislative process, while other players are involved indirectly? 218
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The media, courts, lobbyist, and public.
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35. Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature? 218
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Controls budget and makes decisions if the governor can purchase something
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36. Which two political leaders in Texas are the most powerful figures in the state? 219
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Speaker and lieutenant governor
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37. How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen? 219
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The 150 members of the House of Representatives
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39. In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?
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The speaker of the House? Or the lieutenant?
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40. Why legislative districts in the Texas (House and Senate) considered single-member districts? 226
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Because only one senator or one member of the House represents each district.
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41. Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?
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The legislature
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42. What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims? 226
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Draw new districts, boundaries that represented the population fairly the "one-person, one-vote" principle.
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43. Under what circumstance the Legislative Redistricting Board has the authority to draw new districts?
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Every 10 years do to redistricting.
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44. What unconventional action did the Texas legislature take in 2003? 227-229
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They supported, Tom DeLay, to alter the Texas congressional districts for partisan advantage.The problem is that this occurred in midcycle they broke the redistricting rule.
