Question 1

The Texas Constitution establishes the offices of president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives. It subsequently designates the lieutenant governor as

Accepted Answer

A)  speaker of the House. 
B)  president of the Senate. 
C)  the acting governor. 
D)  chief executive. 
A)  speaker of the House. 
B)  president of the Senate. 
C)  the acting governor. 
D)  chief executive. B

Question 2

Which of the following is not correct regarding the Texas House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has fewer standing committees than in the Senate. 
B)  Appropriations and Ways and Means committees are particularly powerful. 
C)  Membership on most committees is based partially on seniority. 
D)  No representative may serve on more than three substantive committees. 
A)  It has fewer standing committees than in the Senate. 
B)  Appropriations and Ways and Means committees are particularly powerful. 
C)  Membership on most committees is based partially on seniority. 
D)  No representative may serve on more than three substantive committees. A

Question 3

Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Legislature is responsible for making and passing laws for the state of Texas. It is a bicameral body, meaning it is divided into two chambers: the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.

The functions and duties of the Texas Legislature include:
1. Making and passing laws: Both chambers of the legislature have the authority to propose, debate, and pass laws that affect the state of Texas.
2. Budgeting and appropriations: The legislature is responsible for creating and approving the state budget, as well as allocating funds for various government programs and services.
3. Oversight of state agencies: The legislature has the power to oversee and investigate the actions of state agencies and ensure they are operating in the best interest of the public.
4. Redistricting: The legislature is responsible for redrawing congressional and legislative districts every ten years based on the results of the U.S. Census.
5. Confirming appointments: The Senate has the authority to confirm or reject the governor's appointments to various state offices and boards.

Some responsibilities are unique to each chamber of the Texas Legislature. For example, the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate revenue-related bills, such as those related to taxes and fees. The Senate, on the other hand, has the exclusive authority to confirm or reject the governor's appointments.

In terms of actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber, revenue-related bills must originate in the House of Representatives. This means that any legislation related to taxes, fees, or other sources of state revenue must be introduced and passed in the House before it can be considered by the Senate.

Overall, the Texas Legislature plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of the state, and both chambers have distinct responsibilities that contribute to the functioning of the legislative process.

Question 4

The "ex officio" president of the Texas Senate also functions as the state's

Accepted Answer

A)  vice president. 
B)  adjutant general. 
C)  lieutenant governor. 
D)  attorney general. 
A)  vice president. 
B)  adjutant general. 
C)  lieutenant governor. 
D)  attorney general.

Question 5

While the legislature is debating a bill, the governor can most readily stop that bill by

Accepted Answer

A)  encouraging a letter-writing campaign by the public. 
B)  threatening to kill it with a veto. 
C)  threatening to remove the lieutenant governor. 
D)  temporarily adjourning the legislature by executive decree. 
A)  encouraging a letter-writing campaign by the public. 
B)  threatening to kill it with a veto. 
C)  threatening to remove the lieutenant governor. 
D)  temporarily adjourning the legislature by executive decree.

Question 6

The concerns of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in the 1990s produced

Accepted Answer

A)  the creation of an indigent health care system. 
B)  increasing funding from the lottery and gambling. 
C)  larger appropriations for state universities in South Texas. 
D)  electing district judges from single-member districts. 
A)  the creation of an indigent health care system. 
B)  increasing funding from the lottery and gambling. 
C)  larger appropriations for state universities in South Texas. 
D)  electing district judges from single-member districts.

Question 7

Before making an appointment, the governor is expected to consult with the senator of an affected district, a process called senatorial

Accepted Answer

A)  filibuster. 
B)  privilege. 
C)  immunity. 
D)  courtesy. 
A)  filibuster. 
B)  privilege. 
C)  immunity. 
D)  courtesy.

Question 8

The legislature may require reports from state agencies under a procedure known as

Accepted Answer

A)  auditing. 
B)  consultation. 
C)  oversight. 
D)  gerrymandering. 
A)  auditing. 
B)  consultation. 
C)  oversight. 
D)  gerrymandering.

Question 9

Which of the following is a false statement regarding members of the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Members may be expelled by a vote of their chamber. 
B)  Vacancies to legislative seats are filled by governor's appointment. 
C)  If called to military duty, members may retain their office. 
D)  A temporary qualified replacement must be of the member's party. 
A)  Members may be expelled by a vote of their chamber. 
B)  Vacancies to legislative seats are filled by governor's appointment. 
C)  If called to military duty, members may retain their office. 
D)  A temporary qualified replacement must be of the member's party.

Question 10

What is the fate of a bill vetoed by the governor after the legislature has adjourned?

Accepted Answer

A)  The bill will die and cannot be overridden. 
B)  The governor will likely call the legislature into an override session. 
C)  The legislature will call itself into an override session. 
D)  The bill will go on a referendum override ballot. 
A)  The bill will die and cannot be overridden. 
B)  The governor will likely call the legislature into an override session. 
C)  The legislature will call itself into an override session. 
D)  The bill will go on a referendum override ballot.

Question 11

The religious denominations most represented in the Texas legislature are

Accepted Answer

A)  Methodist and Church of Christ. 
B)  Jewish and Presbyterian. 
C)  Roman Catholic and Episcopalian. 
D)  Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist. 
A)  Methodist and Church of Christ. 
B)  Jewish and Presbyterian. 
C)  Roman Catholic and Episcopalian. 
D)  Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist.

Question 12

A vacancy in the Texas House or Senate arising during a term is filled by

Accepted Answer

A)  the chamber's presiding officer. 
B)  the Legislative Redistricting Board. 
C)  a special election. 
D)  governor's appointment. 
A)  the chamber's presiding officer. 
B)  the Legislative Redistricting Board. 
C)  a special election. 
D)  governor's appointment.

Question 13

Turnover in the Texas legislature is most likely to be high in those

Accepted Answer

A)  elections immediately before redistricting. 
B)  elections immediately after redistricting. 
C)  gubernatorial election years. 
D)  presidential election years. 
A)  elections immediately before redistricting. 
B)  elections immediately after redistricting. 
C)  gubernatorial election years. 
D)  presidential election years.

Question 14

According to a 1991 state constitutional amendment, changes in compensation for members of the Texas legislature are initiated by

Accepted Answer

A)  the legislature itself. 
B)  an Ethics Commission recommendation. 
C)  the Comptroller of Public Accounts. 
D)  an automatic cost of living inflator. 
A)  the legislature itself. 
B)  an Ethics Commission recommendation. 
C)  the Comptroller of Public Accounts. 
D)  an automatic cost of living inflator.

Question 15

The only unicameral state legislature is that of

Accepted Answer

A)  Ohio. 
B)  Nebraska. 
C)  Texas. 
D)  California. 
A)  Ohio. 
B)  Nebraska. 
C)  Texas. 
D)  California.

Question 16

Describe the selection, duties, and tools of influence of the "speaker" of the House of Representatives. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House of Representati

Question 17

On the floor of the Texas Senate, a two-thirds vote is required for any bill to be considered due to the use of a

Accepted Answer

A)  blocking bill. 
B)  discharge petition. 
C)  super quorum. 
D)  friendly filibuster. 
A)  blocking bill. 
B)  discharge petition. 
C)  super quorum. 
D)  friendly filibuster.

Question 18

Describe the structure of the bicameral Texas legislature. Identify the number of seats for each chamber and explain how and when re-districting occurs.

Accepted Answer

The bicameral Texas legislature consists

Question 19

The Texas Senate has __________ to control the flow of bills from standing committees to the floor.

Accepted Answer

A)  one calendar committee 
B)  no calendar committees 
C)  two calendar committees 
D)  four blocker committees 
A)  one calendar committee 
B)  no calendar committees 
C)  two calendar committees 
D)  four blocker committees

Question 20

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. 
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.

The Texas Constitution establishes the offices of president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives. It subsequently designates the lieutenant governor as

Which of the following is not correct regarding the Texas House of Representatives?

Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.

The "ex officio" president of the Texas Senate also functions as the state's

While the legislature is debating a bill, the governor can most readily stop that bill by

The concerns of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in the 1990s produced

Before making an appointment, the governor is expected to consult with the senator of an affected district, a process called senatorial

The legislature may require reports from state agencies under a procedure known as

Which of the following is a false statement regarding members of the Texas legislature?

What is the fate of a bill vetoed by the governor after the legislature has adjourned?

The religious denominations most represented in the Texas legislature are

A vacancy in the Texas House or Senate arising during a term is filled by

Turnover in the Texas legislature is most likely to be high in those

According to a 1991 state constitutional amendment, changes in compensation for members of the Texas legislature are initiated by

The only unicameral state legislature is that of

Describe the selection, duties, and tools of influence of the "speaker" of the House of Representatives. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

On the floor of the Texas Senate, a two-thirds vote is required for any bill to be considered due to the use of a

Describe the structure of the bicameral Texas legislature. Identify the number of seats for each chamber and explain how and when re-districting occurs.

The Texas Senate has __________ to control the flow of bills from standing committees to the floor.

When the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version,

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Politics of Interest Groups

The Executive

Public Policy and Administration

Laws, Courts, and Justice

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Filters

Exam 7: The Legislature

The Texas Constitution establishes the offices of president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives. It subsequently designates the lieutenant governor as

Which of the following is not correct regarding the Texas House of Representatives?

Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.

The "ex officio" president of the Texas Senate also functions as the state's

While the legislature is debating a bill, the governor can most readily stop that bill by

The concerns of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in the 1990s produced

Before making an appointment, the governor is expected to consult with the senator of an affected district, a process called senatorial

The legislature may require reports from state agencies under a procedure known as

Which of the following is a false statement regarding members of the Texas legislature?

What is the fate of a bill vetoed by the governor after the legislature has adjourned?

The religious denominations most represented in the Texas legislature are

A vacancy in the Texas House or Senate arising during a term is filled by

Turnover in the Texas legislature is most likely to be high in those

According to a 1991 state constitutional amendment, changes in compensation for members of the Texas legislature are initiated by

The only unicameral state legislature is that of

Describe the selection, duties, and tools of influence of the "speaker" of the House of Representatives. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

On the floor of the Texas Senate, a two-thirds vote is required for any bill to be considered due to the use of a

Describe the structure of the bicameral Texas legislature. Identify the number of seats for each chamber and explain how and when re-districting occurs.

The Texas Senate has __________ to control the flow of bills from standing committees to the floor.

When the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version,

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Politics of Interest Groups

The Executive

Public Policy and Administration

Laws, Courts, and Justice

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Filters