Question 1

Unlike in the U.S. Congress, committees in state legislatures have very little to do with policymaking.

Accepted Answer

Committees in state legislatures play a crucial role in policymaking. They hold hearings, review bills, and make recommendations on legislation before it goes to the full chamber for a vote. Additionally, many state legislatures have specialized committees, such as appropriations or education, that focus on specific policy areas.

Question 2

Institutional conflict is exacerbated under conditions of divided government.

Accepted Answer

Divided government occurs when different political parties control the presidency and Congress, which often leads to institutional conflict as the two branches of government struggle to pass legislation and agendas.

Question 3

Discuss how state legislatures "reinvented themselves;" that is, what changes have occurred since the 1960s that have made many state legislatures more professional and capable of handling their duties?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss how state legislatures "reinvented themselves;" that...

Question 4

During the 1970s, fundamental reforms occurred throughout the country because state legislatures sought to increase their capacity and become more professional.

Accepted Answer

During the 1970s, state legislatures underwent significant reforms in order to increase their power and capacity and become more professional. This involved changes to their organizational structure, staffing, and rules and procedures.

Question 5

Gerrymandering refers to the process of creatively designing a legislative district to enhance the electoral fortunes of the party in power.

Accepted Answer

Gerrymandering is the intentional manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group by diluting the voting power of the opposing party or group. It is a tactic employed by the party in power during the redistricting process to gain an advantage in future elections.

Question 6

The expectation that terms limits would produce greater representation of underrepresented groups has NOT come to pass-at least not yet.

Accepted Answer

Despite the implementation of term limits in various government positions, the representation of underrepresented groups has not significantly increased.

Question 7

In the late 1960s, the Citizens' Conference on State Legislatures (CCSL) studied legislative performance and identified five characteristics critical to legislative improvement, represented by the acronym FAIIR.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the findings of the Citizens' Conference on State Legislatures (CCSL) in the late 1960s. The five characteristics identified as critical to legislative improvement were fairness, accountability, independence, inclusivity, and responsiveness, which can be represented by the acronym FAIIR.

Question 8

A public angry with entrenched politicians has resulted in the imposition of legislative term limits in many states.

Accepted Answer

This is true as many states have implemented legislative term limits as a result of public dissatisfaction with long-serving politicians who were seen as not representing the interests of their constituents. The aim of term limits is to promote turnover and bring new perspectives and ideas to the legislature.

Question 9

Discuss the three major functions of legislatures. Of the three, which do you consider most important? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the three major functions of legislatures....

Question 10

As of 2013, annual salaries for legislators ranged from a low of around $100 to over $90,000.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The actual range of salaries may vary by state and level of government, but it is possible for legislators to have salaries that range from very low to very high.

Question 11

An agency can only be saved from termination under sunset law through an overt renewal action in the legislature.

Accepted Answer

Sunset laws require agencies to be periodically reviewed and evaluated for their effectiveness, and if an agency fails to demonstrate its usefulness, it will automatically expire or be terminated. To save the agency from termination, there must be a deliberate and overt renewal action taken in the legislature, such as passing a bill to extend the agency's existence. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 12

New Hampshire scored two firsts in 2009: the first state with a female majority in a legislative chamber and the first state to have women lead both the house and senate together.

Accepted Answer

New Hampshire did indeed become the first state with a female majority in a legislative chamber in 2009, and also had women lead both the house and senate together for the first time.

Question 13

In approximately one-third of the states, if the governor does not sign or veto the act and the legislature has adjourned, the act dies.

Accepted Answer

This is known as a pocket veto, and in about one-third of the states, if the governor does not sign or veto the act and the legislature has adjourned, the act dies.

Question 14

Although some large states have highly professionalized legislatures, some still operate with part-time, citizen legislatures. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the part-time, amateur legislatures that are still found in many states? In your view, is the part-time, amateur legislature a better choice than a full-time, professional legislature? Can part-time legislatures adequately deal with the complex issues facing legislatures today?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although some large states have highly professionalized...

Question 15

What are the proposed benefits of term limits? Have these benefits been realized? Take a stand on this issue and argue in favor or against term limits.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the proposed benefits of term...

Question 16

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that race cannot be the sole criterion when drawing legislative district lines.

Accepted Answer

In the case of Shaw v. Reno (1993), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race cannot be the "predominant factor" or the "sole criterion" when drawing legislative district lines. This decision was further clarified in subsequent cases such as Miller v. Johnson (1995) and Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama (2015).

Question 17

Gerrymandering is a valid form of redistricting.

Accepted Answer

Gerrymandering is the act of manipulating electoral district boundaries in order to benefit a particular political party or group. It is unfair and undermines the democratic process as it allows a minority group to have an advantage over the majority. It can also lead to representation that does not accurately reflect the views and beliefs of the constituents. Therefore, it is not a valid form of redistricting.

Question 18

Explain the effects of the decisions in Baker v. Carr (1962) and Reynolds v. Sims (1964) in terms of the types of legislators elected to the state legislatures and their influence in policy outcomes since their rulings over 50 years ago.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the effects of the decisions in...

Question 19

If you were a legislator, which role, trustee or delegate, would you follow? Discuss why you chose the particular role and how that role would affect some hypothetical policy decisions. Would the role you choose have an effect on your reelection prospects?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you were a legislator, which role,...

Question 20

New Hampshire pays its legislators the lowest salary in the nation, about $100 per year.

Accepted Answer

It is true that New Hampshire pays its legislators the lowest salary in the nation, about $100 per year.

Quiz 6: State Legislatures