Question 1

All Texas legislators are elected using

Accepted Answer

A) multiple-member districts. 
B) floating districts. 
C) single-member districts. 
D) regional districts.

Question 2

The most visible individuals in the Texas legislature are the

Accepted Answer

A) presiding officers. 
B) the floor leaders. 
C) legislative whips. 
D) senate and house clerks.

Question 3

Discuss the role and responsibilities of floor leaders.Which of their responsibilities is most significant and why?​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the role and responsibilities of floor...

Question 4

What are the terms for office for members of the legislature?

Accepted Answer

A) Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms;representatives are elected for two-year terms. 
B) Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms,as are representatives. 
C) Texas senators are elected for six-year staggered terms;representatives are elected for two-year terms. 
D) Texas senators are elected for two-year staggered terms;representatives are elected for four-year terms.

Question 5

The word gerrymandering was coined in 1812 because

Accepted Answer

A) Governor Elbridge Gerry wanted to preserve the Republican majority in Massachusetts and redrew a district that resembled a salamander. 
B) Governor Mitt Romney wanted to preserve the Republican majority in Massachusetts. 
C) a cartoonist thought Governor Gerry resembled a salamander. 
D) a cartoonists disliked Governor Elbridge Gerry.

Question 6

In 2003,the Texas State Legislature passed a redistricting plan that replaced the one created by a federal judge following the 2000 census.Critics of the plan charged that it was unconstitutional and violated the Voting Rights Act because it diluted racial minority voting strength and was designed to maximize partisan advantage.This court case was

Accepted Answer

A) LULAC v.Perry 
B) Reynolds v.Sims 
C) Baker v.Carr 
D) LULAC v.Texas Legislature

Question 7

Trace the complete steps necessary for a bill to become a law in Texas.​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Trace the complete steps necessary for a...

Question 8

Which of the following is correct about women in the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A) The Texas legislature has experienced an increase in the number of women holding seats. 
B) Texas falls below the average among the 50 states for women holding seats. 
C) Twenty-six states have a greater percentage of female lawmakers than Texas. 
D) All of these choices are true.

Question 9

Which legislative committee strongly influences the expenditure of funds for all divisions of state government?

Accepted Answer

A) The Legislative Research Council 
B) The Legislative Audit Committee 
C) The Appropriations Committee 
D) The Sunset Advisory Board

Question 10

Gerrymandering is most commonly used to protect which legislative incumbents?

Accepted Answer

A) Legislators who serve on several interim committees 
B) Legislators who support the agenda of powerful special interests 
C) Legislators who do not support the agenda of powerful special interest groups 
D) Legislators who have served more than 10 years in office

Question 11

Which of the following is not correct about gerrymandering?

Accepted Answer

A) Gerrymandering is used to protect a first-time candidate. 
B) Gerrymandering uses a pairing technique that redistricts two or more incumbent legislators' residences or political bases so that both are in the same district. 
C) Gerrymandering is used to concentrate minorities in one district. 
D) Gerrymandering diffuses a concentrated political or ethnic minority among several districts so that votes in any one district are negligible.

Question 12

Discuss the importance of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.Why does the TSAC exist,and what function do they perform? Be sure to discuss how the commission is organized and the major responsibilities of the commission.​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the importance of the Texas Sunset...

Question 13

Which of the following is not a formal qualification to become a member of the Texas House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

A) Being a U.S.citizen 
B) Being at least 21 years of age 
C) Having lived in Texas for five years prior to being elected 
D) Having lived in the district for one year prior to being elected

Question 14

The Texas Constitution requires the speaker of the house to be selected by

Accepted Answer

A) the majority of the membership of the house. 
B) a statewide election with a plurality of the votes. 
C) members of his party or party in the house. 
D) every member of both chambers.

Question 15

How does a bill become a law?

Accepted Answer

A) Introduction to the senate,assigned to committee action,senate calendar,senate floor 
B) Introduction to the senate,assigned to committee,committee action,senate calendar 
C) Assigned to a committee,introduction to the senate,senate calendar,committee action 
D) Introduction to the senate,committee whole,senate calendar,committee action

Question 16

Because of a history of discrimination,Texas was one of nine states required to receive preclearance of any changes to their voting laws from the

Accepted Answer

A) Department of Justice. 
B) Texas Attorney Generals Office. 
C) Governor of Texas. 
D) Texas Supreme Texas.

Question 17

What is a blocking bill?

Accepted Answer

A) A bill placed early on the senate calendar each session 
B) A bill used by a standing committee to kill legislation 
C) A bill placed early on the house calendar each session 
D) An appropriation committee bill used to block funds from a state agency

Question 18

Which of the following is not an argument against having short-term biennial sessions in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A) It tends to work against deliberative,orderly legislative practice. 
B) Texas legislators cannot possibly acquaint themselves with the immense volume of legislation presented to them. 
C) Too much legislation gets passed at the end of the session with legislators knowing little about what they are passing. 
D) Texans believe that the legislature does more good than harm;therefore,a longer session is better.

Question 19

How do legislators in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate compare demographically to the demographic characteristics of the Texas public?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do legislators in the Texas House...

Question 20

Which committee is not an ad hoc committee?

Accepted Answer

A) Select 
B) Conference 
C) Standing 
D) Special

Exam 7: The Legislature: Organization and Structure