Question 1

Explain why legislators' voting decisions may not be genuinely representative of the views held by the "folks back home."

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons why legislator

Question 2

Which of the following is listed in the Texas Constitution as a qualification for membership in the Texas Senate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Belief in a higher power 
B)  Natural-born citizen of the United States 
C)  College degree 
D)  Voted in the last three statewide elections 
E)  Texas resident for at least five years 
A)  Belief in a higher power 
B)  Natural-born citizen of the United States 
C)  College degree 
D)  Voted in the last three statewide elections 
E)  Texas resident for at least five years

Question 3

Which of these is the liberal ideological caucus in the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Legislative Black Caucus 
B)  House and Senate Democratic caucuses 
C)  Legislative Study Group 
D)  Senate Hispanic Caucus 
E)  House Women's Health Caucus 
A)  Legislative Black Caucus 
B)  House and Senate Democratic caucuses 
C)  Legislative Study Group 
D)  Senate Hispanic Caucus 
E)  House Women's Health Caucus

Question 4

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?

Accepted Answer

A)  The bill will die because further action cannot occur until the two agree. 
B)  The bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee. 
C)  One chamber will have to accept the language of the other. 
D)  The governor will indicate a preference for one chamber's bill. 
E)  Both chambers will conduct a ghost vote on the bill. 
A)  The bill will die because further action cannot occur until the two agree. 
B)  The bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee. 
C)  One chamber will have to accept the language of the other. 
D)  The governor will indicate a preference for one chamber's bill. 
E)  Both chambers will conduct a ghost vote on the bill.

Question 5

When does legislative redistricting for both houses occur in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Every even-numbered year 
B)  Every odd-numbered year 
C)  The first odd-numbered year in a decade 
D)  The first even-numbered year in a decade 
E)  Whenever so ordered by the Texas governor 
A)  Every even-numbered year 
B)  Every odd-numbered year 
C)  The first odd-numbered year in a decade 
D)  The first even-numbered year in a decade 
E)  Whenever so ordered by the Texas governor

Question 6

Describe the selection,duties,and tools of influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House of Representati

Question 7

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  A simple resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers 
B)  A joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body 
C)  A joint resolution passed by both houses and a popular referendum 
D)  A concurrent resolution passed by a three-fifths vote and signed by the governor 
E)  A simple resolution requiring a unanimous vote in both chambers 
A)  A simple resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers 
B)  A joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body 
C)  A joint resolution passed by both houses and a popular referendum 
D)  A concurrent resolution passed by a three-fifths vote and signed by the governor 
E)  A simple resolution requiring a unanimous vote in both chambers

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The percentage of women in the state legislature is equal to the percentage of women in the general population. 
B)  In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased. 
C)  In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has declined. 
D)  Female legislators have always been treated with respect and dignity by their male colleagues. 
E)  There are far more Latino and African American women than Anglo women in the Texas legislature. 
A)  The percentage of women in the state legislature is equal to the percentage of women in the general population. 
B)  In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased. 
C)  In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has declined. 
D)  Female legislators have always been treated with respect and dignity by their male colleagues. 
E)  There are far more Latino and African American women than Anglo women in the Texas legislature.

Question 9

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?

Accepted Answer

A)  The lawmaker slanders a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club. 
B)  The lawmaker is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session. 
C)  The lawmaker is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session. 
D)  The lawmaker slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding. 
E)  The lawmaker physically assaults a colleague during a heated debate in Senate chambers. 
A)  The lawmaker slanders a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club. 
B)  The lawmaker is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session. 
C)  The lawmaker is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session. 
D)  The lawmaker slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding. 
E)  The lawmaker physically assaults a colleague during a heated debate in Senate chambers.

Question 10

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?

Accepted Answer

A)  Auditing 
B)  Consultation 
C)  Oversight 
D)  Gerrymandering 
E)  Filibustering 
A)  Auditing 
B)  Consultation 
C)  Oversight 
D)  Gerrymandering 
E)  Filibustering

Question 11

To enact a law applying specifically to Collin County,the Texas legislature would pass what type of bill or resolution?

Accepted Answer

A)  A special bill 
B)  A general bill 
C)  A joint resolution 
D)  A concurrent resolution 
E)  A local bill 
A)  A special bill 
B)  A general bill 
C)  A joint resolution 
D)  A concurrent resolution 
E)  A local bill

Question 12

Under which circumstance is turnover in the Texas legislature most likely to be high?

Accepted Answer

A)  In elections immediately before redistricting 
B)  In elections immediately after redistricting 
C)  In gubernatorial election years 
D)  In presidential election years 
E)  In election years that feature a strong economy 
A)  In elections immediately before redistricting 
B)  In elections immediately after redistricting 
C)  In gubernatorial election years 
D)  In presidential election years 
E)  In election years that feature a strong economy

Question 13

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?

Accepted Answer

A)  A concurrent bill 
B)  A special bill 
C)  A general bill 
D)  A local bill 
E)  A non-binding bill 
A)  A concurrent bill 
B)  A special bill 
C)  A general bill 
D)  A local bill 
E)  A non-binding bill

Question 14

Which federal court case applied the doctrine of "one person,one vote" to Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reynolds v.Sims (1964) 
B)  Lells v.Kavenaugh (1991) 
C)  Kilgarlin v.Martin (1965) 
D)  Ruiz v.Estelle (1980) 
E)  Perez v.Perry (2012) 
A)  Reynolds v.Sims (1964) 
B)  Lells v.Kavenaugh (1991) 
C)  Kilgarlin v.Martin (1965) 
D)  Ruiz v.Estelle (1980) 
E)  Perez v.Perry (2012)

Question 15

The lieutenant governor of Texas also functions in what other capacity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Speaker of the House 
B)  Adjutant general 
C)  President of the Senate 
D)  Attorney general 
E)  Chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court 
A)  Speaker of the House 
B)  Adjutant general 
C)  President of the Senate 
D)  Attorney general 
E)  Chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court

Question 16

The Texas legislature is composed of two chambers.What is another word for this type of legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unicameral 
B)  Bicameral 
C)  Bilateral 
D)  Unitary 
E)  Biennial 
A)  Unicameral 
B)  Bicameral 
C)  Bilateral 
D)  Unitary 
E)  Biennial

Question 17

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?

Accepted Answer

A)  Filibustering 
B)  Cloture 
C)  Chubbing 
D)  Ghost voting 
E)  The three-fifths rule 
A)  Filibustering 
B)  Cloture 
C)  Chubbing 
D)  Ghost voting 
E)  The three-fifths rule

Question 18

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?

Accepted Answer

A)  They appeared to discriminate against the election of historical minority groups. 
B)  They appeared to favor the election of Republicans. 
C)  They appeared to favor the election of incumbents. 
D)  They appeared to discriminate against the election of blue-collar candidates. 
E)  They were drawn by a consortium of out-of-state lobbyists. 
A)  They appeared to discriminate against the election of historical minority groups. 
B)  They appeared to favor the election of Republicans. 
C)  They appeared to favor the election of incumbents. 
D)  They appeared to discriminate against the election of blue-collar candidates. 
E)  They were drawn by a consortium of out-of-state lobbyists.

Question 19

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?

Accepted Answer

A)  They receive low pay,low allowances,and meager retirements. 
B)  They receive average pay,high allowances,and meager retirements. 
C)  They receive low pay,reasonable allowances,and generous retirements. 
D)  They receive high pay,low allowances,and generous retirements. 
E)  They receive high pay,high allowances,and generous retirements. 
A)  They receive low pay,low allowances,and meager retirements. 
B)  They receive average pay,high allowances,and meager retirements. 
C)  They receive low pay,reasonable allowances,and generous retirements. 
D)  They receive high pay,low allowances,and generous retirements. 
E)  They receive high pay,high allowances,and generous retirements.

Question 20

Which research organization has sometimes been accused of liberal bias?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Texas Legislative Council 
B)  The Federalist Society 
C)  The Cato Institute 
D)  The Texas Public Policy Foundation 
E)  The Center for Public Policy Priorities 
A)  The Texas Legislative Council 
B)  The Federalist Society 
C)  The Cato Institute 
D)  The Texas Public Policy Foundation 
E)  The Center for Public Policy Priorities

Explain why legislators' voting decisions may not be genuinely representative of the views held by the "folks back home."

Which of the following is listed in the Texas Constitution as a qualification for membership in the Texas Senate?

Which of these is the liberal ideological caucus in the Texas legislature?

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?

When does legislative redistricting for both houses occur in Texas?

Describe the selection,duties,and tools of influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?

To enact a law applying specifically to Collin County,the Texas legislature would pass what type of bill or resolution?

Under which circumstance is turnover in the Texas legislature most likely to be high?

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?

Which federal court case applied the doctrine of "one person,one vote" to Texas?

The lieutenant governor of Texas also functions in what other capacity?

The Texas legislature is composed of two chambers.What is another word for this type of legislature?

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?

Which research organization has sometimes been accused of liberal bias?

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

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Political Parties

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Exam 8: The Legislative Branch

Explain why legislators' voting decisions may not be genuinely representative of the views held by the "folks back home."

Which of the following is listed in the Texas Constitution as a qualification for membership in the Texas Senate?

Which of these is the liberal ideological caucus in the Texas legislature?

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?

When does legislative redistricting for both houses occur in Texas?

Describe the selection,duties,and tools of influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?

To enact a law applying specifically to Collin County,the Texas legislature would pass what type of bill or resolution?

Under which circumstance is turnover in the Texas legislature most likely to be high?

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?

Which federal court case applied the doctrine of "one person,one vote" to Texas?

The lieutenant governor of Texas also functions in what other capacity?

The Texas legislature is composed of two chambers.What is another word for this type of legislature?

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?

Which research organization has sometimes been accused of liberal bias?

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

The Politics of Interest Groups

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Public Policy and Administration

The Criminal Justice System

Filters