Deck 8: The Legislative Branch

Question 1

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is unlikely to focus its research on which topic?

A) Limited government
B) A national health care plan
C) Private property rights
D) Free enterprise
E) Personal responsibility

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which federal court case applied the doctrine of "one person,one vote" to Texas?

A) Reynolds v.Sims (1964)
B) Lells v.Kavenaugh (1991)
C) Kilgarlin v.Martin (1965)
D) Ruiz v.Estelle (1980)
E) Perez v.Perry (2012)

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The lieutenant governor of Texas also functions in what other capacity?

A) Speaker of the House
B) Adjutant general
C) President of the Senate
D) Attorney general
E) Chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following groups dominates the membership of the Texas legislature?

A) Anglo Republican men
B) Latino Republican men
C) African American Democratic men
D) Anglo Democratic women
E) African American Republican women

Question 5

Which research organization has sometimes been accused of liberal bias?

A) The Texas Legislative Council
B) The Federalist Society
C) The Cato Institute
D) The Texas Public Policy Foundation
E) The Center for Public Policy Priorities

Question 6

The Texas legislature is composed of two chambers.What is another word for this type of legislature?

A) Unicameral
B) Bicameral
C) Bilateral
D) Unitary
E) Biennial

Question 7

Which of the following is listed in the Texas Constitution as a qualification for membership in the Texas Senate?

A) Belief in a higher power
B) Natural-born citizen of the United States
C) College degree
D) Voted in the last three statewide elections
E) Texas resident for at least five years

Question 8

When does legislative redistricting for both houses occur in Texas?

A) Every even-numbered year
B) Every odd-numbered year
C) The first odd-numbered year in a decade
D) The first even-numbered year in a decade
E) Whenever so ordered by the Texas governor

Question 9

Which of these is the liberal ideological caucus in the Texas legislature?

A) Legislative Black Caucus
B) House and Senate Democratic caucuses
C) Legislative Study Group
D) Senate Hispanic Caucus
E) House Women's Health Caucus

Question 10

Why is the "Farm-to-Table" Caucus described as a bipartisan caucus?

A) Its members include legislators from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
B) Its members include legislators with both conservative and libertarian ideologies.
C) Its members include legislators from different racial and ethnic groups.
D) Its members include legislators from both rural and urban areas.
E) Its members include legislators from both Texas and Mexico.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding the Texas legislature is true?

A) It does not recognize the party affiliation of its members.
B) It has no party organization-not even informal caucuses.
C) It is dominated by the Democratic Party,with no Republican influence.
D) It has Democratic and Republican caucuses that are increasingly important.
E) Only legislators with at least six years of experience may belong to a legislative caucus.

Question 12

To enact a law applying specifically to Collin County,the Texas legislature would pass what type of bill or resolution?

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

Question 13

Generally speaking,how long does a lawmaker need to be in office before he or she becomes particularly effective?

A) Six months
B) One year
C) Two years
D) Four years
E) Six years

Question 14

Rules relating to the procedures for operation of the Texas Senate would be dealt with in which type of resolution?

A) Simple resolution
B) Concurrent resolution
C) Joint resolution
D) Appropriations resolution
E) Standing resolution

Question 15

What does the Texas Constitution have to say about those serving in the Texas legislature?

A) They cannot hold another government office.
B) They must hold at least one other government office.
C) They can be paid by another governmental entity.
D) They cannot earn money from private sector sources.
E) They must be former members of the U.S.armed forces.

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of the Texas legislature?

A) Vetoing legislation
B) Proposing constitutional amendments
C) Appointing state judges
D) Voting in the electoral college
E) Electing U.S.senators

Question 17

Before making an appointment,the governor is expected to consult with the senator of an affected district.What is this process called?

A) Filibustering
B) Senatorial privilege
C) Immunity
D) Senatorial courtesy
E) Cloture

Question 18

When a vacancy arises during a term in the Texas House or Senate,how is that vacancy filled?

A) The chamber's presiding officer
B) The Legislative Redistricting Board
C) A special election called by the Texas Supreme Court
D) Governor's appointment
E) A special election called by the governor

Question 19

Which issue would be of most concern to the Legislative Black Caucus?

A) Highway construction
B) Hate crime laws
C) The state's general sales tax
D) The issue of campaign financing
E) The influence of lobbyists

Question 20

Which group or official,in theory,should be the primary influence on a legislator's vote?

A) The governor
B) Party leadership
C) The Texas Supreme Court
D) Lobbyists
E) His or her constituents

Question 21

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?

A) Auditing
B) Consultation
C) Oversight
D) Gerrymandering
E) Filibustering

Question 22

Adopting the guitar as the state musical instrument required that the legislature use which type of resolution?

A) Simple resolution
B) Concurrent resolution
C) Joint resolution
D) Appropriations resolution
E) Standing resolution

Question 23

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?

A) They receive low pay,low allowances,and meager retirements.
B) They receive average pay,high allowances,and meager retirements.
C) They receive low pay,reasonable allowances,and generous retirements.
D) They receive high pay,low allowances,and generous retirements.
E) They receive high pay,high allowances,and generous retirements.

Question 24

What is one way a governor can legitimately influence a legislator's vote on a particular bill?

A) The governor can suspend a legislator's pay for up to 30 days for voting "incorrectly."
B) The governor can have a legislator removed from office for voting "incorrectly."
C) The governor can prohibit lobbyists from consulting with that legislator.
D) The governor can signal that he or she will veto the bill if passed.
E) The governor can remove the legislator from all committee assignments.

Question 25

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?

A) A concurrent bill
B) A special bill
C) A general bill
D) A local bill
E) A non-binding bill

Question 26

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?

A) They appeared to discriminate against the election of historical minority groups.
B) They appeared to favor the election of Republicans.
C) They appeared to favor the election of incumbents.
D) They appeared to discriminate against the election of blue-collar candidates.
E) They were drawn by a consortium of out-of-state lobbyists.

Question 27

Which of the following statements regarding the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is true?

A) He or she is selected by direct popular vote in a general election.
B) He or she may appoint all committee chairs.
C) He or she refers only spending bills to standing committees.
D) He or she also serves as the president of the Senate.
E) He or she has veto power over any legislation passed by the Texas Senate.

Question 28

How long do regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet?

A) 140 days,in odd-numbered years
B) 150 days,every single year
C) 140 days in even-numbered years
D) 150 days,every four years
E) 200 days,every single year

Question 29

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?

A) Filibustering
B) Cloture
C) Chubbing
D) Ghost voting
E) The three-fifths rule

Question 30

The lieutenant governor,Speaker of the House,and other members of the legislature authorize special research projects to help in the drafting of bills through which group?

A) Legislative Budget Board
B) Senate Research Center
C) House Research Organization
D) Texas Legislative Council
E) Texas Supreme Court

Question 31

Members of which occupation are especially likely to belong to the Texas legislature?

A) Editor
B) Insurance agent
C) Professor
D) Attorney
E) Farmer

Question 32

What is the name given to the redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group?

A) Electioneering
B) Packing
C) Gerrymandering
D) Filibustering
E) Lobbying

Question 33

Which religious denomination is most represented in the Texas legislature?

A) Church of Christ
B) Presbyterian
C) Catholic
D) Baptist
E) Mormon

Question 34

What happens to a bill after its first reading in the House of Representatives?

A) The bill is debated and voted upon.
B) The bill is referred to the appropriate committee.
C) The bill is forwarded to the Senate for its action.
D) The bill is referred to the House Rules Committee.
E) The bill is sent to the governor for signing.

Question 35

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?

A) The percentage of women in the state legislature is equal to the percentage of women in the general population.
B) In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased.
C) In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has declined.
D) Female legislators have always been treated with respect and dignity by their male colleagues.
E) There are far more Latino and African American women than Anglo women in the Texas legislature.

Question 36

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?

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.
E) Both chambers will conduct a ghost vote on the bill.

Question 37

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?

A) A simple resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
B) A joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body
C) A joint resolution passed by both houses and a popular referendum
D) A concurrent resolution passed by a three-fifths vote and signed by the governor
E) A simple resolution requiring a unanimous vote in both chambers

Question 38

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?

A) The lawmaker slanders a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club.
B) The lawmaker is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session.
C) The lawmaker is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session.
D) The lawmaker slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding.
E) The lawmaker physically assaults a colleague during a heated debate in Senate chambers.

Question 39

How many legislators serve in the Texas House of Representatives?

A) 31
B) 55
C) 150
D) 400
E) 435

Question 40

Which of the following statements regarding members of the Texas Senate is true?

A) They usually serve terms of two years with no term limits.
B) They usually serve terms of two years with a limit of three terms.
C) They usually serve terms of four years with no term limits.
D) They usually serve terms of four years with a limit of three terms.
E) They usually serve terms of six years with no term limits.

Question 41

Describe the structure of the bicameral Texas legislature.Identify the number of seats for each chamber and explain how and when redistricting occurs.In which type of legislative session does a governor have more authority: a regular session or a special session?

Question 42

Under which circumstance is turnover in the Texas legislature most likely to be high?

A) In elections immediately before redistricting
B) In elections immediately after redistricting
C) In gubernatorial election years
D) In presidential election years
E) In election years that feature a strong economy

Question 43

Identify the term of office for members of the Texas legislature and their compensation for serving and explain whether or not you think the compensation is fair.

Question 44

Describe the formal qualifications of members of the Texas legislature,and explain why actual members of the legislature fail to represent a cross section of Texas society.What changes would you make to the formal qualifications required of members and why?

Question 45

Which Twitter account do Texas legislators follow most frequently?

A) Texas Tribune
B) Austin American-Statesman
C) Texas Monthly
D) The Daily Floor Report
E) Quorum Report

Question 46

Explain why legislators' voting decisions may not be genuinely representative of the views held by the "folks back home."

Question 47

Explain what gerrymandering is and how it occurs.Do you think steps should be taken to end the practice? Why or why not.

Question 48

Explain who the most influential people are in the passage of a bill,and what powers they have in the process.Include a discussion of the leaders of both chambers,committees,the governor,and any influences from outside the government.

Question 49

How many members does the Texas Senate have?

A) 435
B) 150
C) 100
D) 67
E) 31

Question 50

Describe how representative the Texas legislature is of the Texas public in demographic terms.Does it matter whether different groups in society are represented in proportion to their numbers in the population? Why or why not?

Question 51

Compare the structure,membership,and sessions of the Texas legislature with those of other large states,or those of states bordering Texas.What similarities or differences stand out as significant?

Question 52

Of all the factors that influence a legislator's vote,which do you think is the most appropriate? The least appropriate? Explain your answer.

Question 53

Describe the selection,duties,and tools of influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Question 54

Describe the selection,duties,title,and tools of influence of the lieutenant governor in the legislative process and explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Question 55

In the Texas House,which type of committee considers legislation and recommends whether it should or should not pass?

A) Procedural committee
B) Substantive (standing)committee
C) Interim committee
D) Joint (two-house)committee
E) Legislative committee

Question 56

Describe the committee system in the Texas legislature.What are committees,and why are they important to the legislative process? What functions do they serve beyond making legislation? Explain why committee chairs are considered powerful in the process of governing.

Question 57

What are caucuses,and what functions do they serve? Do you think they help or hinder the work of the legislature?

Question 58

Which factors influence the way legislators vote? Do citizens have the most influence? Why or why not?

Question 59

Describe the constitutional checks held by the Texas legislature over the executive branch.How does the legislative branch exercise control over the executive branch?

Question 60

Identify five research organizations that provide information to Texas legislators.Which of these prepares the Daily Floor Report?