Question 1

______ was the former Texas Speaker of the House who was indicted for taking an illegal gift from a law firm that specialized in collecting delinquent taxes for local governments.

Accepted Answer

A)   "Gib" Lewis
B)   "Pete" Laney
C)   Bill Ratliff
D)   Tom Craddick
E)   Sam Rayburn A

Question 2

Which of the following is not a description of an interest group?

Accepted Answer

A)   Its members pursue a common goal.
B)   It attempts to affect public policy.
C)   Members seek to achieve their desired goals through political means.
D)   It is usually made up of a large number of people.
E)   It is typically active only at the national level of government. E

Question 3

Describe some of the different types of interest groups operating in Texas. Which ones have been the most influential? What are some interests that have been underrepresented in Texas?

Accepted Answer

In Texas, there are a wide variety of interest groups operating, representing a range of industries, causes, and political ideologies. Some of the different types of interest groups in Texas include business and industry associations, environmental advocacy groups, labor unions, professional organizations, and issue-based advocacy groups such as those focused on education, healthcare, and civil rights.

Some of the most influential interest groups in Texas include those representing the oil and gas industry, which has significant economic and political power in the state. Additionally, business and trade associations, such as the Texas Association of Business, and conservative political organizations, such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation, have also been influential in shaping policy and legislation in the state.

However, there are also interests that have been underrepresented in Texas. For example, advocacy groups representing marginalized communities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and low-income populations, often have less influence and resources compared to more established and well-funded interest groups. Additionally, environmental advocacy groups and organizations focused on addressing climate change have historically faced challenges in gaining traction and influence in Texas, despite the state's significant environmental and energy-related issues. Overall, there is a need for greater representation and advocacy for these underrepresented interests in Texas.

Question 4

Interest groups are limited to lobbying the legislature; they cannot lobby executive agencies or the courts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

What does it mean for an interest group to "get on the late train"?

Accepted Answer

A)   The group's lobbyists are unable to gain access to key politicians until after all opposing lobbyists have been heard.
B)   An interest group gives contributions after the election to a winning candidate the group had earlier opposed.
C)   A PAC donates money for a candidate in the general election but not in the primaries.
D)   An interest group picks up on an issue only after public-opinion polling shows a great deal of support.
E)   The group donates money to a campaign that eventually loses the election.

Question 6

Bribery is

Accepted Answer

A)   a common practice with lobbyists.
B)   legal as long as the payoff is publicized.
C)   a rare, but not unheard of, problem in Texas today.
D)   most commonly offered in the form of steak dinners.
E)   unheard of in Texas politics due to the stiff penalties involved.

Question 7

Which PACs spend the least amount of money in Texas elections?

Accepted Answer

A)   single-issue PACs
B)   labor unions
C)   business groups
D)   lawyers
E)   consumer groups

Question 8

Which of the following is the farmers' interest group that influenced the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876?

Accepted Answer

A)   the Grange
B)   the 8F Group
C)   EMILY's List
D)   the Texas Natural Resource Council
E)   the Texas Farm Bureau Association

Question 9

It is vital for lobbyists to gain access to politicians and policy makers. Describe some of the ways in which interest groups and their representatives gain access in Texas politics. What are some of the potential abuses of this process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is vital for lobbyists to gain...

Question 10

The Texas Medical Association is best described as what kind of interest group?

Accepted Answer

A)   professional
B)   pubic employee
C)   public interest
D)   ideological
E)   civil rights

Question 11

As in the U.S. Congress, most campaign contributions in Texas go to

Accepted Answer

A)   incumbents.
B)   supporters of business interests.
C)   Republicans.
D)   political parties.
E)   Democrats.

Question 12

Lobbyists can do all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)   provide information to politicians.
B)   write bills.
C)   testify before legislative committees.
D)   entertain politicians.
E)   none-lobbyists can do all of the above.

Question 13

More money is spent in Texas by the communications industry than any other represented interest.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Redistricting and scandal are the two greatest threats to an incumbent's electoral advantage.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Interest groups are often powerful in states

Accepted Answer

A)   with a strong two-party rivalry.
B)   dominated by one party.
C)   that have a weak or nonexistent party system.
D)   with powerful third parties.
E)   with low voter turnout.

Question 16

Campaign donations are one of the most important ways to influence in politics. Describe the role of interest-group money in politics. What are PACs, and what do they do? How can PACs shape elections?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Campaign donations are one of the most...

Question 17

Which interest is not represented in a list of the top interest groups in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)   trial lawyers
B)   the environment
C)   the gas and oil industry
D)   public employees
E)   agriculture

Question 18

Not all interests are equally represented in Texas politics. Describe which interest groups have the most political clout and why. What are some interests that are not well represented in Texas, and why is this the case? What have been some practical effects of these differences in lobbying power?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Not all interests are equally represented in...

Question 19

The 8F Crowd was

Accepted Answer

A)   an influential cartel of political activists who wrote the Texas Constitution of 1876.
B)   a loose but influential group of Texas businessmen.
C)   the first Latino civil rights organization in Texas.
D)   a group of corrupt politicians dependent on bribery during the early twentieth century.
E)   a group of eight Florida businessmen who came to Texas hoping to get elected to the Texas legislature.

Question 20

Interest groups typically have more time, money, and expertise to offer politicians than do average citizens.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

______ was the former Texas Speaker of the House who was indicted for taking an illegal gift from a law firm that specialized in collecting delinquent taxes for local governments.

Which of the following is not a description of an interest group?

Describe some of the different types of interest groups operating in Texas. Which ones have been the most influential? What are some interests that have been underrepresented in Texas?

Interest groups are limited to lobbying the legislature; they cannot lobby executive agencies or the courts.

What does it mean for an interest group to "get on the late train"?

Bribery is

Which PACs spend the least amount of money in Texas elections?

Which of the following is the farmers' interest group that influenced the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876?

It is vital for lobbyists to gain access to politicians and policy makers. Describe some of the ways in which interest groups and their representatives gain access in Texas politics. What are some of the potential abuses of this process?

The Texas Medical Association is best described as what kind of interest group?

As in the U.S. Congress, most campaign contributions in Texas go to

Lobbyists can do all of the following except

More money is spent in Texas by the communications industry than any other represented interest.

Redistricting and scandal are the two greatest threats to an incumbent's electoral advantage.

Interest groups are often powerful in states

Campaign donations are one of the most important ways to influence in politics. Describe the role of interest-group money in politics. What are PACs, and what do they do? How can PACs shape elections?

Which interest is not represented in a list of the top interest groups in Texas?

Not all interests are equally represented in Texas politics. Describe which interest groups have the most political clout and why. What are some interests that are not well represented in Texas, and why is this the case? What have been some practical effects of these differences in lobbying power?

The 8F Crowd was

Interest groups typically have more time, money, and expertise to offer politicians than do average citizens.