Question 1

Which of the following is the way legislatures help ensure that governors and the executive branch agencies are functioning properly?

Accepted Answer

Oversight is the process by which legislatures review, monitor, and supervise federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. This ensures that the executive branch and its agencies are operating efficiently and in accordance with the laws and policies set by the legislative branch.

Question 2

Most bills introduced in state legislatures ______.

Accepted Answer

Most bills introduced in state legislatures do not make it past the committee stage and thus die in committee. This is a common step where proposed legislation is reviewed, and many bills are halted due to various reasons such as lack of support, prioritization of other legislation, or issues with the bill's content.

Question 3

Which of the following states has the largest proportion of women serving in its state legislature?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

Retired persons account for what percentage of state legislators in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Retired persons account for 8 percent of state legislators in the United States, reflecting the diversity of backgrounds among those serving in state legislative bodies.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the American public's perception of legislators?

Accepted Answer

The American public often perceives legislators as being more focused on serving special interests and engaging in arguments rather than effectively accomplishing legislative goals. This view reflects a skepticism about politicians' motivations and their efficiency in enacting policies.

Question 6

There are ______ states where control of the two legislative chambers is split between the parties.

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, there are only a few states in the United States where control of the two legislative chambers is split between the Democratic and Republican parties. This situation, known as a divided legislature, is relatively rare compared to states where a single party controls both chambers.

Question 7

Who is responsible for the phrase laboratories of democracy as it relates to state politics?

Accepted Answer

Louis Brandeis, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, is credited with coining the phrase "laboratories of democracy" in reference to the role of states in experimenting with social and economic policies.

Question 8

Which of the following states has a part-time legislature?

Accepted Answer

Montana has a part-time legislature, which typically meets every other year for a regular session, unlike California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, which have full-time legislatures.

Question 9

______ tend to have the largest effect on whether legislators introduce a bill.

Accepted Answer

Constituents tend to have the largest effect on whether legislators introduce a bill because legislators are elected to represent the interests and needs of their constituents. Therefore, the preferences and demands of constituents are a primary influence on legislative actions.

Question 10

Which of the following was revealed by the National Conference on State Legislatures' term limits poll?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following was revealed by...

Question 11

States where voters are closely divided in their party loyalties are known as ______ states.

Accepted Answer

States where voters are closely divided in their party loyalties are referred to as "purple" states, indicating a mix of Democratic (blue) and Republican (red) support.

Question 12

The process of drawing districts with the intent of pressing partisan advantage at the expense of other considerations is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage over others.

Question 13

Which state has the most state legislators?

Accepted Answer

New Hampshire has the largest state legislature with 400 members in its House of Representatives, making it the state with the most state legislators.

Question 14

The assembly of an alliance of groups that is formed to pursue a common goal or interest is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

Coalition building refers to the process of assembling an alliance of groups with the purpose of pursuing a common goal or interest. This involves collaboration among various organizations, parties, or individuals to achieve a specific objective.

Question 15

______ is work done by legislators to help residents in their voting districts.

Accepted Answer

Constituent service refers to the work done by legislators or elected officials to assist residents of their districts with governmental concerns, navigating bureaucracy, or addressing community needs. It's a key part of their role, distinct from lawmaking or oversight functions.

Question 16

______ is the process in which the decision of a numerical majority is made binding on a group.

Accepted Answer

Majority rule is the process where the decision supported by more than half of the members in a group is accepted and made binding for the entire group.

Question 17

Which of the following is false about majority-minority districts?

Accepted Answer

Majority-minority districts are designed to increase the likelihood of minority representatives being elected by concentrating minority voters in a single district. This strategy does not inherently increase the state budget, as the creation of these districts pertains to the redrawing of electoral boundaries rather than fiscal policy.

Question 18

Bills ______ according to predictable partisan majorities.

Accepted Answer

Bills do not always pass according to predictable partisan majorities because various factors, including negotiations, amendments, and changing political landscapes, can influence the outcome of a bill's passage.

Question 19

It is more difficult for new legislators to ______ than for incumbents to.

Accepted Answer

New legislators often find it more challenging to do constituent casework because it requires a deep understanding of the local issues, concerns, and the bureaucratic processes needed to address them. Incumbents, having been in office longer, typically have more experience and established networks to effectively handle constituent requests and problems.

Question 20

The largest battles in a state legislature tend to be over ______.

Accepted Answer

The largest battles in state legislatures are typically over budgets because they involve allocating limited resources among various competing interests and priorities.

Quiz 7: Legislatures: the Art of Herding Cats