Question 1

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the

Accepted Answer

A)  lieutenant governor and the Texas Speaker of the House. 
B)  governor. 
C)  Texas Supreme Court. 
D)  chair of the joint committee on special sessions. 
E)  governor, with approval from the lieutenant governor. 
A)  lieutenant governor and the Texas Speaker of the House. 
B)  governor. 
C)  Texas Supreme Court. 
D)  chair of the joint committee on special sessions. 
E)  governor, with approval from the lieutenant governor.

Question 2

Special sessions last 30 days and there is a limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The governor of Texas has the authority to exercise a line-item veto.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Partisan rivalries have been high throughout the history of the Texas legislature. 
B)  Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years the legislature has moved into a more partisan era. 
C)  The legislature was divided by partisan bickering before the 1980s, but the conflict has decreased steadily since then. 
D)  The Texas Constitution was amended in 1986 to forbid partisanship from interfering with the legislative process. 
E)  Typically, with Democrats as the majority party, partisanship has been much higher than with Republicans in control. 
A)  Partisan rivalries have been high throughout the history of the Texas legislature. 
B)  Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years the legislature has moved into a more partisan era. 
C)  The legislature was divided by partisan bickering before the 1980s, but the conflict has decreased steadily since then. 
D)  The Texas Constitution was amended in 1986 to forbid partisanship from interfering with the legislative process. 
E)  Typically, with Democrats as the majority party, partisanship has been much higher than with Republicans in control.

Question 5

Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  The comptroller is responsible for setting the salary and compensation packages for legislators. 
B)  The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget. 
C)  The comptroller investigates suspected illegal campaign contributions. 
D)  Whoever is comptroller is also the Speaker of the House. 
E)  The comptroller has to certify the budget for every agency before the budget can be passed. 
A)  The comptroller is responsible for setting the salary and compensation packages for legislators. 
B)  The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget. 
C)  The comptroller investigates suspected illegal campaign contributions. 
D)  Whoever is comptroller is also the Speaker of the House. 
E)  The comptroller has to certify the budget for every agency before the budget can be passed.

Question 7

The Texas Constitution forbids the legislature to borrow money to conduct the daily operations of government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Speaker is elected in a statewide election. 
B)  The Speaker is the most senior representative in the House. 
C)  The Speaker is the most senior representative from the majority party. 
D)  The Speaker is elected by members of the House. 
E)  The Speaker is appointed directly by the majority party in the House. 
A)  The Speaker is elected in a statewide election. 
B)  The Speaker is the most senior representative in the House. 
C)  The Speaker is the most senior representative from the majority party. 
D)  The Speaker is elected by members of the House. 
E)  The Speaker is appointed directly by the majority party in the House.

Question 9

Which two political leaders in Texas are the most powerful figures in the state?

Accepted Answer

A)  the governor and the lieutenant governor 
B)  the governor and the comptroller of public accounts 
C)  the comptroller of public accounts and the lieutenant governor 
D)  the lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
E)  the governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
A)  the governor and the lieutenant governor 
B)  the governor and the comptroller of public accounts 
C)  the comptroller of public accounts and the lieutenant governor 
D)  the lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
E)  the governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Question 10

One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it

Accepted Answer

A)  speeds up the process of legislation by dividing the labors between two separate institutions. 
B)  works to the benefit of the more densely populated urban areas. 
C)  allows for sparsely populated rural counties to receive more of a voice in the legislature. 
D)  permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill. 
E)  allows more bipartisan support for most bills. 
A)  speeds up the process of legislation by dividing the labors between two separate institutions. 
B)  works to the benefit of the more densely populated urban areas. 
C)  allows for sparsely populated rural counties to receive more of a voice in the legislature. 
D)  permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill. 
E)  allows more bipartisan support for most bills.

Question 11

Rules of the legislature require that the bill be read

Accepted Answer

A)  on two separate occasions. 
B)  on three separate occasions. 
C)  by the bill writer, the legislative member, and the lieutenant governor or Speaker of the House. 
D)  by the bill writer, the legislative member, and the committee chairman. 
E)  only at the initial filing. 
A)  on two separate occasions. 
B)  on three separate occasions. 
C)  by the bill writer, the legislative member, and the lieutenant governor or Speaker of the House. 
D)  by the bill writer, the legislative member, and the committee chairman. 
E)  only at the initial filing.

Question 12

The Texas House of Representatives is responsible for both impeaching government officials and holding the trials after impeachment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Texas legislature 
B)  the governor 
C)  the governor, along with the Texas Senate 
D)  the U.S. Congress 
E)  the Texas Supreme Court 
A)  the Texas legislature 
B)  the governor 
C)  the governor, along with the Texas Senate 
D)  the U.S. Congress 
E)  the Texas Supreme Court

Question 14

What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar?

Accepted Answer

A)  It marks the date by which legislators must vote on specific bills. 
B)  It is the calendar for all private bills sponsored by members of the legislature. 
C)  It is reserved for uncontroversial bills that are not expected to have major opposition. 
D)  It describes the voting schedule for those bills that require approval by both the legislature and local communities. 
E)  It is the calendar for bills that only deal with the procedural rules of the legislature. 
A)  It marks the date by which legislators must vote on specific bills. 
B)  It is the calendar for all private bills sponsored by members of the legislature. 
C)  It is reserved for uncontroversial bills that are not expected to have major opposition. 
D)  It describes the voting schedule for those bills that require approval by both the legislature and local communities. 
E)  It is the calendar for bills that only deal with the procedural rules of the legislature.

Question 15

In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Speaker of the House 
B)  the leader of the party of which the representative is a member 
C)  the lieutenant governor 
D)  no one; House members do not need official permission to speak in floor debates. 
E)  the governor 
A)  the Speaker of the House 
B)  the leader of the party of which the representative is a member 
C)  the lieutenant governor 
D)  no one; House members do not need official permission to speak in floor debates. 
E)  the governor

Question 16

For a bill that starts in the House the steps are

Accepted Answer

A)  introduction, referral, consideration by standing committee, floor action, action by a conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
B)  introduction, floor action, referral, consideration by standing committee, action by a conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
C)  introduction, action by full committee, referral, consideration by standing committee, floor action, and action by governor. 
D)  introduction, referral, action by conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
E)  introduction, referral, approval by both house, floor action, consideration by conference committee, and action by governor. 
A)  introduction, referral, consideration by standing committee, floor action, action by a conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
B)  introduction, floor action, referral, consideration by standing committee, action by a conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
C)  introduction, action by full committee, referral, consideration by standing committee, floor action, and action by governor. 
D)  introduction, referral, action by conference committee and approval by both houses, and action by the governor. 
E)  introduction, referral, approval by both house, floor action, consideration by conference committee, and action by governor.

Question 17

The Texas legislature meets in regular session once every two years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?

Accepted Answer

A)  It declared the Voting Rights Act of 1965 constitutional. 
B)  It declared poll taxes unconstitutional. 
C)  It declared the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote." 
D)  It declared that preclearance was an unconstitutional abridgement of state power. 
E)  It declared racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional. 
A)  It declared the Voting Rights Act of 1965 constitutional. 
B)  It declared poll taxes unconstitutional. 
C)  It declared the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote." 
D)  It declared that preclearance was an unconstitutional abridgement of state power. 
E)  It declared racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional.

Question 20

The Texas legislature takes office in January

Accepted Answer

A)  biennially. 
B)  on even-numbered years. 
C)  every year. 
D)  on odd-number years. 
E)  every two years. 
A)  biennially. 
B)  on even-numbered years. 
C)  every year. 
D)  on odd-number years. 
E)  every two years.

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the

Special sessions last 30 days and there is a limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call.

The governor of Texas has the authority to exercise a line-item veto.

Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct?

Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state?

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?

The Texas Constitution forbids the legislature to borrow money to conduct the daily operations of government.

How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?

Which two political leaders in Texas are the most powerful figures in the state?

One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it

Rules of the legislature require that the bill be read

The Texas House of Representatives is responsible for both impeaching government officials and holding the trials after impeachment.

Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?

What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar?

In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?

For a bill that starts in the House the steps are

The Texas legislature meets in regular session once every two years.

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a

What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?

The Texas legislature takes office in January

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

The Texas Constitution

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Local Government in Texas

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Crime and Corrections Policy in Texas

Filters

Exam 7: The Texas Legislature

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the

Special sessions last 30 days and there is a limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call.

The governor of Texas has the authority to exercise a line-item veto.

Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct?

Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state?

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?

The Texas Constitution forbids the legislature to borrow money to conduct the daily operations of government.

How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?

Which two political leaders in Texas are the most powerful figures in the state?

One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it

Rules of the legislature require that the bill be read

The Texas House of Representatives is responsible for both impeaching government officials and holding the trials after impeachment.

Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?

What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar?

In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?

For a bill that starts in the House the steps are

The Texas legislature meets in regular session once every two years.

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a

What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?

The Texas legislature takes office in January

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

The Texas Constitution

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Local Government in Texas

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Crime and Corrections Policy in Texas

Filters