Question 1

How are tags used to derail legislation during the closing days of a Senate session?

Accepted Answer

A)  A senator can call upon a member of the House to come before the Senate and object to the bill, forcing it out of consideration. 
B)  A Senate committee chair can use this power once a session to force a bill back to committee, preventing it from being voted on and ultimately killing it. 
C)  It allows a senator to postpone a committee hearing on a bill for at least forty-eight hours, which can be fatal to a bill. 
D)  A senator can bring the legislation before the judiciary, which can impose an order stopping consideration of the bill if it is found unconstitutional. 
E)  It allows a senator to speak against a bill for as long as he or she can stand and talk thus preventing it from being voted on before the end of the session. 
A)  A senator can call upon a member of the House to come before the Senate and object to the bill, forcing it out of consideration. 
B)  A Senate committee chair can use this power once a session to force a bill back to committee, preventing it from being voted on and ultimately killing it. 
C)  It allows a senator to postpone a committee hearing on a bill for at least forty-eight hours, which can be fatal to a bill. 
D)  A senator can bring the legislation before the judiciary, which can impose an order stopping consideration of the bill if it is found unconstitutional. 
E)  It allows a senator to speak against a bill for as long as he or she can stand and talk thus preventing it from being voted on before the end of the session.

Question 2

What caused Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, who was seen as a consensus builder, to face a revolt in 1979 from the "Killer Bees"?

Accepted Answer

A)  He refused to appoint any committee chairs for two months, preventing the Senate from considering legislation, as a result of a conflict with the governor. 
B)  He attempted to force approval of a presidential primary bill opposed by most Democratic senators, who soon forced him to back down. 
C)  He appointed his son, a former farmer, to chair the energy committee, leading to a group of senators to charge him with nepotism. 
D)  He attempted to force approval of a campaign finance bill that would have placed limits on campaign contributions. 
E)  He attempted to change senate rules to provide the lieutenant governor's office with full budgetary authority. 
A)  He refused to appoint any committee chairs for two months, preventing the Senate from considering legislation, as a result of a conflict with the governor. 
B)  He attempted to force approval of a presidential primary bill opposed by most Democratic senators, who soon forced him to back down. 
C)  He appointed his son, a former farmer, to chair the energy committee, leading to a group of senators to charge him with nepotism. 
D)  He attempted to force approval of a campaign finance bill that would have placed limits on campaign contributions. 
E)  He attempted to change senate rules to provide the lieutenant governor's office with full budgetary authority.

Question 3

In order for a bill to become a law, its first step must be

Accepted Answer

A)  the first reading. 
B)  passage. 
C)  sponsorship by the governor. 
D)  referral to a committee. 
E)  sponsorship by a legislator. 
A)  the first reading. 
B)  passage. 
C)  sponsorship by the governor. 
D)  referral to a committee. 
E)  sponsorship by a legislator.

Question 4

Apportionment and redistricting address fundamental questions of who should be represented and

Accepted Answer

A)  how they will be represented. 
B)  who pays the costs of campaigning. 
C)  who pays the costs of holding primary and general elections. 
D)  how often appropriations will be dispensed. 
E)  how the budget priorities should be set. 
A)  how they will be represented. 
B)  who pays the costs of campaigning. 
C)  who pays the costs of holding primary and general elections. 
D)  how often appropriations will be dispensed. 
E)  how the budget priorities should be set.

Question 5

A committee appointed by the governor and convened between legislative sessions to study a major policy issue would be considered a ________ committee.

Accepted Answer

A)  procedural 
B)  select 
C)  conference 
D)  standing 
E)  steering 
A)  procedural 
B)  select 
C)  conference 
D)  standing 
E)  steering

Question 6

Bills that ________ are the only type of bill that must originate in the House of Representatives according to the Constitution of Texas.

Accepted Answer

A)  affect the judiciary 
B)  deal with municipalities 
C)  raise revenue 
D)  affect the executive branch 
E)  concern redistricting 
A)  affect the judiciary 
B)  deal with municipalities 
C)  raise revenue 
D)  affect the executive branch 
E)  concern redistricting

Question 7

Speaker of the House Gib Lewis won a postponement of his ethics trial under a law that automatically grants continuances to legislators when they are in session.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Traditionally, there has been a formal division along party lines or a formal system of floor leaders in either the Texas House or the Senate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

In 2009, Democrats regained some of their lost seats in the House and assisted moderate Republicans in ousting autocratic Speaker Tom Craddick.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

An emotionally charged issue in 1999 was an attempt by some Democrats to strengthen the state law against hate crimes.Republicans disliked the bill because it raised the penalties for discriminatory crimes against African Americans.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

How does the veto power of the Texas governor differ from that of the president of the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  The governor can use the line-item veto on any bill, but the president is restricted to using it on appropriation bills. 
B)  The governor can veto a bill twice, but the president can only veto a bill once and is powerless if the legislature overrides it. 
C)  Unlike the president, a veto by the governor on a bill cannot be overridden by the legislature. 
D)  The governor can only veto a bill with the sworn support of one-tenth of the legislature; the president has no preconditions. 
E)  Unlike the president, if the governor fails to sign a bill by a certain deadline, it is passed automatically. 
A)  The governor can use the line-item veto on any bill, but the president is restricted to using it on appropriation bills. 
B)  The governor can veto a bill twice, but the president can only veto a bill once and is powerless if the legislature overrides it. 
C)  Unlike the president, a veto by the governor on a bill cannot be overridden by the legislature. 
D)  The governor can only veto a bill with the sworn support of one-tenth of the legislature; the president has no preconditions. 
E)  Unlike the president, if the governor fails to sign a bill by a certain deadline, it is passed automatically.

Question 12

The House Calendars Committee historically has had more life-and-death power over legislation than any other committee because

Accepted Answer

A)  it sets the order of debate on the House floor. 
B)  the speaker chairs the committee. 
C)  it sets the order of debate in conference committees. 
D)  it considers discharge petitions. 
E)  it decides when a legislator's term is up. 
A)  it sets the order of debate on the House floor. 
B)  the speaker chairs the committee. 
C)  it sets the order of debate in conference committees. 
D)  it considers discharge petitions. 
E)  it decides when a legislator's term is up.

Question 13

Which of the following best characterizes the Texas state legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Texas state legislature is the only one on the country whose laws cannot be declared	 unconstitutional by the courts. 
B)  Though on paper the Texas legislature is one of the strongest in the country, it is actually one of the weakest. 
C)  The setting of governmental priorities through the budgetary process is becoming increasingly more professional. 
D)  The Texas legislature is increasingly being dominated by the governor, who has the power to dismiss it at any time. 
E)  It has ultimate say in the financial matters of the state but is becoming increasingly dependent on the governor for support. 
A)  The Texas state legislature is the only one on the country whose laws cannot be declared	 unconstitutional by the courts. 
B)  Though on paper the Texas legislature is one of the strongest in the country, it is actually one of the weakest. 
C)  The setting of governmental priorities through the budgetary process is becoming increasingly more professional. 
D)  The Texas legislature is increasingly being dominated by the governor, who has the power to dismiss it at any time. 
E)  It has ultimate say in the financial matters of the state but is becoming increasingly dependent on the governor for support.

Question 14

The work of the Texas legislature is given extensive coverage across the state.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock surprised his friends just after the close of the 1997 session by announcing he would

Accepted Answer

A)  not seek reelection in 1998. 
B)  seek the office of governor in 1998. 
C)  run for the U.S. Senate. 
D)  seek a fifth term in 1998. 
E)  run for mayor of College Station. 
A)  not seek reelection in 1998. 
B)  seek the office of governor in 1998. 
C)  run for the U.S. Senate. 
D)  seek a fifth term in 1998. 
E)  run for mayor of College Station.

Question 16

In 2003, the first Republican House Speaker since Reconstruction was

Accepted Answer

A)  Tom DeLay. 
B)  Gib Lewis. 
C)  David Dewhurst. 
D)  Tom Craddick. 
E)  Bob Bullock 
A)  Tom DeLay. 
B)  Gib Lewis. 
C)  David Dewhurst. 
D)  Tom Craddick. 
E)  Bob Bullock

Question 17

A favorite voter-contact tool of many legislators is

Accepted Answer

A)  phoning constituents to see what is going on in the district. 
B)  a newsletter they can mail to households in their district at their expense. 
C)  personally responding to all letters with letters mailed from Austin. 
D)  responding to all emails sent to their offices during the year. 
E)  a newsletter they can mail to households in their districts at state expense. 
A)  phoning constituents to see what is going on in the district. 
B)  a newsletter they can mail to households in their district at their expense. 
C)  personally responding to all letters with letters mailed from Austin. 
D)  responding to all emails sent to their offices during the year. 
E)  a newsletter they can mail to households in their districts at state expense.

Question 18

If a bill passes both the House and Senate but in different forms, the bill is sent to

Accepted Answer

A)  the governor. 
B)  a conference committee. 
C)  the speaker. 
D)  a special caucus. 
E)  a standing committee. 
A)  the governor. 
B)  a conference committee. 
C)  the speaker. 
D)  a special caucus. 
E)  a standing committee.

Question 19

When the legislature is in session, access to the floor of each chamber on the second floor of the Capitol is restricted to

Accepted Answer

A)  lawmakers, spectators, and protestors of a bill being considered during the session. 
B)  certain other state officials, spectators, lawmakers, and retired officials. 
C)  accredited media representatives, lawyers, spectators, and lawmakers. 
D)  spectators, certain other state officials, lawyers, and lawmakers. 
E)  lawmakers, accredited media representatives, and certain other state officials. 
A)  lawmakers, spectators, and protestors of a bill being considered during the session. 
B)  certain other state officials, spectators, lawmakers, and retired officials. 
C)  accredited media representatives, lawyers, spectators, and lawmakers. 
D)  spectators, certain other state officials, lawyers, and lawmakers. 
E)  lawmakers, accredited media representatives, and certain other state officials.

Question 20

The majority of bills that fail to be enacted generally die

Accepted Answer

A)  on the floor of the Senate or the House. 
B)  when the other chamber refuses to introduce the bill. 
C)  in either a House or Senate committee. 
D)  on orders of the speaker or the lieutenant governor. 
E)  under the veto pen of the governor. 
A)  on the floor of the Senate or the House. 
B)  when the other chamber refuses to introduce the bill. 
C)  in either a House or Senate committee. 
D)  on orders of the speaker or the lieutenant governor. 
E)  under the veto pen of the governor.

How are tags used to derail legislation during the closing days of a Senate session?

What caused Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, who was seen as a consensus builder, to face a revolt in 1979 from the "Killer Bees"?

In order for a bill to become a law, its first step must be

Apportionment and redistricting address fundamental questions of who should be represented and

A committee appointed by the governor and convened between legislative sessions to study a major policy issue would be considered a ________ committee.

Bills that ________ are the only type of bill that must originate in the House of Representatives according to the Constitution of Texas.

Speaker of the House Gib Lewis won a postponement of his ethics trial under a law that automatically grants continuances to legislators when they are in session.

Traditionally, there has been a formal division along party lines or a formal system of floor leaders in either the Texas House or the Senate.

In 2009, Democrats regained some of their lost seats in the House and assisted moderate Republicans in ousting autocratic Speaker Tom Craddick.

An emotionally charged issue in 1999 was an attempt by some Democrats to strengthen the state law against hate crimes.Republicans disliked the bill because it raised the penalties for discriminatory crimes against African Americans.

How does the veto power of the Texas governor differ from that of the president of the United States?

The House Calendars Committee historically has had more life-and-death power over legislation than any other committee because

Which of the following best characterizes the Texas state legislature?

The work of the Texas legislature is given extensive coverage across the state.

Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock surprised his friends just after the close of the 1997 session by announcing he would

In 2003, the first Republican House Speaker since Reconstruction was

A favorite voter-contact tool of many legislators is

If a bill passes both the House and Senate but in different forms, the bill is sent to

When the legislature is in session, access to the floor of each chamber on the second floor of the Capitol is restricted to

The majority of bills that fail to be enacted generally die

The social and economic milieu of texas politics

The texas constitution

Intergovernmental relationships

Interest groups and political power in texas

The mass media in texas politics

The party system in

Elections, campaigns, and political behavior

The texas executive

The bureaucracy and policy implementation

The judicial system in texas

Local government in texas: cities, towns, counties, and special districts

Contemporary public policy issues in texas

Filters

Exam 8: The texas legislature

How are tags used to derail legislation during the closing days of a Senate session?

What caused Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, who was seen as a consensus builder, to face a revolt in 1979 from the "Killer Bees"?

In order for a bill to become a law, its first step must be

Apportionment and redistricting address fundamental questions of who should be represented and

A committee appointed by the governor and convened between legislative sessions to study a major policy issue would be considered a ________ committee.

Bills that ________ are the only type of bill that must originate in the House of Representatives according to the Constitution of Texas.

Speaker of the House Gib Lewis won a postponement of his ethics trial under a law that automatically grants continuances to legislators when they are in session.

Traditionally, there has been a formal division along party lines or a formal system of floor leaders in either the Texas House or the Senate.

In 2009, Democrats regained some of their lost seats in the House and assisted moderate Republicans in ousting autocratic Speaker Tom Craddick.

An emotionally charged issue in 1999 was an attempt by some Democrats to strengthen the state law against hate crimes.Republicans disliked the bill because it raised the penalties for discriminatory crimes against African Americans.

How does the veto power of the Texas governor differ from that of the president of the United States?

The House Calendars Committee historically has had more life-and-death power over legislation than any other committee because

Which of the following best characterizes the Texas state legislature?

The work of the Texas legislature is given extensive coverage across the state.

Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock surprised his friends just after the close of the 1997 session by announcing he would

In 2003, the first Republican House Speaker since Reconstruction was

A favorite voter-contact tool of many legislators is

If a bill passes both the House and Senate but in different forms, the bill is sent to

When the legislature is in session, access to the floor of each chamber on the second floor of the Capitol is restricted to

The majority of bills that fail to be enacted generally die

The social and economic milieu of texas politics

The texas constitution

Intergovernmental relationships

Interest groups and political power in texas

The mass media in texas politics

The party system in

Elections, campaigns, and political behavior

The texas executive

The bureaucracy and policy implementation

The judicial system in texas

Local government in texas: cities, towns, counties, and special districts

Contemporary public policy issues in texas

Filters