Govt 2306 Chapter 7 – Flashcards
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Which of the following is not a nonlegislative power of the Texas legislature?
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the power to overturn state supreme court decisions with a two-thirds majority
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How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?
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The Speaker is elected by members of the House.
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In the Texas legislature, the House has ______ members and the Senate has ______ members
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150; 31
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If the legislature grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law, it is called
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a special bill.
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Constituency services provided by Texas representatives may include all of the following except
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providing legal services in court.
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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
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In the Texas legislature, the referral of a bill to a standing committee in the House and the Senate is the job of the
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Speaker of the House and lieutenant governor.
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The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a
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white, affluent businessman.
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Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct?
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Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years the legislature has moved into a more partisan era.
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In Texas, who can write a bill?
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anyone at all
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Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?
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the Texas legislature
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Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?
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The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget.
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The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature are set by the
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governor.
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What unconventional action did the Texas legislature take in 2003?
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It redistricted a second time in a single decade.
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What is the main difference between a bill and a resolution?
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Unlike a bill, a resolution, if passed, lacks the force of a public law.
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In the Texas legislature, all bills dealing with state revenue must
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start in the House of Representatives.
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As in the U.S. Congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature?
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It is a committee designed to make differing House and Senate versions of the same bill identical.
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A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a
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local bill.
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For how long does the Texas legislature meet?
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The regular legislative session lasts 140 days every two years.
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In Texas, why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful?
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It cannot be overturned by the legislature.
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What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar?
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It is reserved for uncontroversial bills that are not expected to have major opposition.
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What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?
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It declared the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote."
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Which of the following is not a legislative power of the Texas governor?
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removing, for suitable cause, the Speaker or lieutenant governor
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The requirements for holding office in the Texas legislature
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are minimal, in keeping with the idea that officeholding should be open to most citizens.
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Legislative districts in the Texas House and Senate are
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single-member districts.
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In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens?
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The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee.
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In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the ______ power.
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message
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Which of the following statements about special sessions of the Texas legislature is true?
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Special sessions are common, held an average of once a year since 1876.
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Which of the following statements about simple resolutions is correct?
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They do not require the signature of the governor.
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One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it
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permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill.
