Chapter 7- The Texas Legislature – Flashcards
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In Texas a legislator is more likely to be:
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A white affluent businessman or professional
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the Lieutenant Governor?
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The ability to call legislature into special session (Only Governor can do that)
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What are the functions of a Lt. Gov?
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-The capacity to select the chairs of Texas Senate Committtees
-Presiding over the Texas Senate
-The ability to refer bills to committee
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The main difference between a bill and a resolution is that a resolution lacks the force of law if it is passed.
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True
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In Texas the referring of a bill to a standing committee in the legislature is done by:
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The Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House
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The function of the Legislative Redirstricting Board is to come up with a redistricting plan if the legislature fails to do so:
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True
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What is not a legislative function of the Texas Governor?
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Removing Senators from office
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What legislative functions does the Texas Governor have?
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-call special sessions
-setting the agenda for special sessions
-signing of vetoing bills passed
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What legislative and non-legislative powers does the Texas Legislature have?
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-the power of impeachment
-Investigative powers
-to formally count the returns in the Texas Governor's races
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What power does the Texas Legislature not have?
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The power to overturn state supreme court decisions
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In Texas only a member of the state legislature can formally propose a bill to the legislature.
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True
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When a governor strikes out specific portions of an appropriations bill it is referred to as:
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A line item veto
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The Texas state constitution allows for the election of legislators who are not US Citizens under special circumstances.
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False
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What kind of legislature does Texas have?
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Hybrid
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How many members does the House of Rep have?
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150 members
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How many members does the Senate have?
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31 members
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How many people does each member of the House represent?
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68,000 people
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How many people does each member of the Senate represent?
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811,000 members
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When do regular sessions take place?
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Odd numbered years for 140 days
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What are the qualifications of becoming a member in the Texas Senate?
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atleast 26 years old
resident of Texas for atlas 5 years
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What are the qualifications of becoming a member in the Texas House of Rep?
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-atleast 21
-resident in Texas for 2 years
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What is the main take from the film "A Dangerous Business- PBS Frontline?"
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That there is a big gap between policy and practice in Texas Business.
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Who calls special sessions?
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The Governor of Texas
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How long do special sessions last?
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30 days
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Why are special sessions rare?
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Because the legislature gets $150 a day and this hurts tax payers
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What does the Senate Filibuster do?
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stall the process of debate
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What is the Senate Bill 5 and the "peoples filibuster"?
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2013 Wendy Davis filibustered a bill for over 10 hours and caused the bill not to be passed because she took up all the time however, later she was said to have started off topic which is not allowed
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How does the Texas Filibuster and U.S. Filibuster differ?
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the Texas filibuster has more rules
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What is the six part process of a bill coming to a law?
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1. intro of bills in the House/Senate
2. Referral
3. Action of standing committee
4. Open floor debate
5. Bill is passed from one chamber then goes to conference committee to make sure other chamber is identical
6. Action by Governor (signature)
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What is pigeon-holding?
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bills may be combined and might have hearings for the bill for feedback
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What is the difference between a filibuster and and chubbing?
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Both are for stalling, but clubbing is a group effort and filibuster is just one person
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What does the calendar committee do?
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Each member of chamber of house is given 10 minutes to talk about issues
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What does the conference committee do?
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works on differences of two bills
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What is the job of the Governor?
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to sign or veto bills
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How much time is given to the governor to sign or veto?
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10 days normally, 20 days if at the end of legislation
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What is post-adjournment veto?
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Where the governors action is final because legislative is not in session and cannot act
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What was the original title of the Comptroller?
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Treasurer of the State
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What is the Comptroller of Public Accounts?
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A government official who makes sure the government does not go over budget
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What is the leadership position in the Texas House of Representatives?
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Speaker of the House
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What is the leadership position in the Texas Senate?
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Lt. Governor/President
