Question 1

Sunset laws are statutes that

Accepted Answer

A)  set automatic expiration dates for specified agencies in the executive branch. 
B)  require the legislature to end the session on a particular date. 
C)  reduce the power of committee chairs in the agenda-setting role. 
D)  end the legislative veto. 
A)  set automatic expiration dates for specified agencies in the executive branch. 
B)  require the legislature to end the session on a particular date. 
C)  reduce the power of committee chairs in the agenda-setting role. 
D)  end the legislative veto.

Question 2

Attorneys remain the single largest occupational category for state legislators (about 15 percent).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

A public angry with entrenched politicians has resulted in the imposition of legislative term limits in many states.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Although some large states have highly professionalized legislatures, some still operate with part-time, citizen legislatures. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the part-time, amateur legislatures that are still found in many states? In your view, is the part-time, amateur legislature a better choice than a full-time, professional legislature? Can part-time legislatures adequately deal with the complex issues facing legislatures today?

Accepted Answer

Part-time, amateur legislatures have bot

Question 5

All of the following factors can be taken into account when drawing legislative districts EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the racial/ethnic composition of the district. 
B)  the population fluctuations in each district. 
C)  access to polling places. 
D)  the improvement of representation in the district. 
A)  the racial/ethnic composition of the district. 
B)  the population fluctuations in each district. 
C)  access to polling places. 
D)  the improvement of representation in the district.

Question 6

As of 2013, annual salaries for legislators ranged from a low of around $100 to over $90,000.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

In a typical chamber, the presiding officer performs all of the following functions EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  monitoring campaign contributions to other legislators. 
B)  controlling the activity on the floor. 
C)  appointing committee members. 
D)  allocating office space and committee budgets. 
A)  monitoring campaign contributions to other legislators. 
B)  controlling the activity on the floor. 
C)  appointing committee members. 
D)  allocating office space and committee budgets.

Question 8

Legislatures engage in three principal functions:

Accepted Answer

A)  policymaking, auditing, and control of regulatory activities. 
B)  representation, constituent service, and policymaking. 
C)  enacting laws, allocating funds, and oversight. 
D)  policymaking, oversight, and representation. 
A)  policymaking, auditing, and control of regulatory activities. 
B)  representation, constituent service, and policymaking. 
C)  enacting laws, allocating funds, and oversight. 
D)  policymaking, oversight, and representation.

Question 9

The legislative function of policymaking includes enacting laws and allocating funds.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

By requiring the governor to obtain legislative approval of budget cutbacks in the event of a revenue shortfall, some states have

Accepted Answer

A)  increased legislative power relative to gubernatorial power. 
B)  increased bureaucratic power relative to gubernatorial power. 
C)  increased gubernatorial power relative to legislative power. 
D)  reduced the overall power of state government relative to interest groups. 
A)  increased legislative power relative to gubernatorial power. 
B)  increased bureaucratic power relative to gubernatorial power. 
C)  increased gubernatorial power relative to legislative power. 
D)  reduced the overall power of state government relative to interest groups.

Question 11

Term limits were expected to produce all of the following results EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  increase the proportion of first-term legislators in any given session. 
B)  end the domination of a chamber by powerful, entrenched veteran legislators. 
C)  reduce pay and shorten the legislative session. 
D)  shift power from the legislature to the governor and to lobbyists. 
A)  increase the proportion of first-term legislators in any given session. 
B)  end the domination of a chamber by powerful, entrenched veteran legislators. 
C)  reduce pay and shorten the legislative session. 
D)  shift power from the legislature to the governor and to lobbyists.

Question 12

Discuss the three major functions of legislatures. Of the three, which do you consider most important? Why?

Accepted Answer

The three major functions of legislature

Question 13

Recent research demonstrates that public approval of the legislature is lower in states with

Accepted Answer

A)  more professional legislatures compared to less professional legislatures. 
B)  less professional legislatures compared to more professional legislatures. 
C)  more conservative legislatures compared to less conservative legislatures. 
D)  more liberal legislatures compared to less liberal legislatures. 
A)  more professional legislatures compared to less professional legislatures. 
B)  less professional legislatures compared to more professional legislatures. 
C)  more conservative legislatures compared to less conservative legislatures. 
D)  more liberal legislatures compared to less liberal legislatures.

Question 14

State legislatures typically pass _______ percent of the bills introduced.

Accepted Answer

A)  8 
B)  40 
C)  20 to 25 
D)  50 to 60 
A)  8 
B)  40 
C)  20 to 25 
D)  50 to 60

Question 15

An agency can only be saved from termination under sunset law through an overt renewal action in the legislature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following states technically does NOT pay its legislators a salary, but rather only a per diem for expenses?

Accepted Answer

A)  New Hampshire 
B)  New Mexico 
C)  Nebraska 
D)  Idaho 
A)  New Hampshire 
B)  New Mexico 
C)  Nebraska 
D)  Idaho

Question 17

Once conference or concurrence committees resolve differences, and agreement is secured in both chambers, then the bill is

Accepted Answer

A)  sent to a final standing committee for one last vote. 
B)  formally introduced to the public via press conference. 
C)  enrolled and sent to the governor. 
D)  made into law. 
A)  sent to a final standing committee for one last vote. 
B)  formally introduced to the public via press conference. 
C)  enrolled and sent to the governor. 
D)  made into law.

Question 18

As of 2013, "full-time legislator" was the single largest category of legislator occupations. This category overcame the historically dominant occupation of

Accepted Answer

A)  retiree. 
B)  business owner. 
C)  business executive/manager. 
D)  attorney. 
A)  retiree. 
B)  business owner. 
C)  business executive/manager. 
D)  attorney.

Question 19

Institutional conflict is exacerbated under conditions of divided government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that race cannot be the sole criterion when drawing legislative district lines.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Sunset laws are statutes that

Attorneys remain the single largest occupational category for state legislators (about 15 percent).

A public angry with entrenched politicians has resulted in the imposition of legislative term limits in many states.

All of the following factors can be taken into account when drawing legislative districts EXCEPT

As of 2013, annual salaries for legislators ranged from a low of around $100 to over $90,000.

In a typical chamber, the presiding officer performs all of the following functions EXCEPT

Legislatures engage in three principal functions:

The legislative function of policymaking includes enacting laws and allocating funds.

By requiring the governor to obtain legislative approval of budget cutbacks in the event of a revenue shortfall, some states have

Term limits were expected to produce all of the following results EXCEPT

Discuss the three major functions of legislatures. Of the three, which do you consider most important? Why?

Recent research demonstrates that public approval of the legislature is lower in states with

State legislatures typically pass _______ percent of the bills introduced.

An agency can only be saved from termination under sunset law through an overt renewal action in the legislature.

Which of the following states technically does NOT pay its legislators a salary, but rather only a per diem for expenses?

Once conference or concurrence committees resolve differences, and agreement is secured in both chambers, then the bill is

As of 2013, "full-time legislator" was the single largest category of legislator occupations. This category overcame the historically dominant occupation of

Institutional conflict is exacerbated under conditions of divided government.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that race cannot be the sole criterion when drawing legislative district lines.

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

State Constitutions

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

Governors

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

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Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

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Exam 6: State Legislatures

Sunset laws are statutes that

Attorneys remain the single largest occupational category for state legislators (about 15 percent).

A public angry with entrenched politicians has resulted in the imposition of legislative term limits in many states.

All of the following factors can be taken into account when drawing legislative districts EXCEPT

As of 2013, annual salaries for legislators ranged from a low of around $100 to over $90,000.

In a typical chamber, the presiding officer performs all of the following functions EXCEPT

Legislatures engage in three principal functions:

The legislative function of policymaking includes enacting laws and allocating funds.

By requiring the governor to obtain legislative approval of budget cutbacks in the event of a revenue shortfall, some states have

Term limits were expected to produce all of the following results EXCEPT

Discuss the three major functions of legislatures. Of the three, which do you consider most important? Why?

Recent research demonstrates that public approval of the legislature is lower in states with

State legislatures typically pass _______ percent of the bills introduced.

An agency can only be saved from termination under sunset law through an overt renewal action in the legislature.

Which of the following states technically does NOT pay its legislators a salary, but rather only a per diem for expenses?

Once conference or concurrence committees resolve differences, and agreement is secured in both chambers, then the bill is

As of 2013, "full-time legislator" was the single largest category of legislator occupations. This category overcame the historically dominant occupation of

Institutional conflict is exacerbated under conditions of divided government.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that race cannot be the sole criterion when drawing legislative district lines.

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

State Constitutions

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

Governors

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

State Local Relations

Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

Filters