Deck 6: Interest Groups

Question 1

Before a legislative session begins,a lobbyist must have successfully completed all of the following except

A)memorizing the faces of the members,their nonlegislative occupation,and the counties they represent.
B)establishing rapport through contact with the members of the legislature.
C)getting to know the family members of legislators because through them the member can be influenced.
D)knowing the legislative issues,including the arguments of opponents.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is a way interest groups can be classified?

A)Economic
B)Noneconomic
C)Mixed interest
D)All of these choices are true.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

An effective lobbyist would have done which of the following before the start of a new legislative session​?

A)​Research which legislators are predisposed to support his or her cause
B)​Memorize the faces of members of the legislature
C)​Get to know the staff of legislators
D)​All of these choices are true.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following is not classified as a mixed interest group?

A)Public interest
B)Education
C)Environment and recreation
D)Race and gender

Question 5

Which of the following statements about interest groups is incorrect?

A)Interest groups are considered political parties that nominate candidates for office.
B)Interest groups seek to influence the outputs of government.
C)Interest groups are not part of the government but seek to influence the government.
D)Interest groups must work with political parties to achieve their goals.

Question 6

A successful lobbyist will attempt all of the following except

A)establish rapport with all members of the legislature.
B)try to gain support or at least neutrality from legislative leaders on one's group's proposals.
C)secure endorsement of the chair of each committee through which one's legislation must pass.
D)secure the positive endorsement of community representatives for legislation sought by local governments.

Question 7

Interest groups will seek to build a positive public image by which of the following means?

A)Hiring public relations firms
B)Demonstrating good citizenship
C)Print and broadcast advertisements
D)All of these choices are true.

Question 8

Labor unions seek legislation for all of the following except

A)making it easier to organize.
B)enforcing workplace safety packages.
C)supporting the "right to work laws."
D)obtaining generous workers' compensation.

Question 9

Which of the following is employed to express the values of interest groups?

A)Pressure groups
B)Lobbyists
C)Executive appointees
D)Legislative assistants

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the lobbying activities of special interest groups is incorrect?

A)They lobby only members of the state senate.
B)They petition members of the executive branch.
C)They bring lawsuits to the courts.
D)They rally the public for support.

Question 11

People join interest groups to

A)receive the monthly or quarterly magazine or newsletter.
B)be a member of a network of like-minded people.
C)to protect their economic,recreational,social,or political interests.
D)All of these choices are true.

Question 12

The primary goal of interest groups is to

A)influence all branches of government at all levels.
B)mobilize citizens.
C)testify before legislative committees.
D)inform and education public officials.

Question 13

Noneconomic interest groups benefit from _______ because it translates into greater political clout in the Texas's legislature.

A)political savvy
B)free riderships
C)large membership
D)political efficacy

Question 14

Interest groups pursuing social equality and economic goals are classified as what type of group?

A)Noneconomic groups
B)Liberal groups
C)Mixed or hybrid organizations
D)Conservative groups

Question 15

Which of the following is not classified as a noneconomic interest group?

A)Patriotic
B)Recreation
C)Public interest
D)Religious

Question 16

__________ is the fabrication of public support for issues supported by industry and special interest groups,but which give the impression of widespread public support.

A)Electioneering
B)Concrete lobbying
C)Astroturf lobbying
D)Collective lobbying

Question 17

Education and local government groups lobby for all of the following except

A)increasing salaries and benefits for their public employees.
B)supporting their governments.
C)encouraging unfunded state mandates.
D)obtaining more local control or less state control over their affairs.

Question 18

Direct contact between an interest group representative and an officer of government is an example of

A)lobbying.
B)pressure groups.
C)electioneering.
D)advocacy.

Question 19

What type of interest group seeks the betterment of society as a whole or the reform of the political,social,or economic system in ways that do not directly affect their member's pocketbooks?

A)Mixed interest groups
B)Noneconomic interest groups
C)Economic interest groups
D)Advocacy groups

Question 20

Which of these groups could be viewed as a mixed or hybrid organization?

A)​Groups that fight discrimination on the basis of disability.
B)A multinational corporation,focused on tort reform.
C)​A pro-gun rights organization.
D)​Groups that fight for religious rights in public schools.

Question 21

A conflict of interest is problematic for the public because​ a

A)​public officer is not allowed to have a second job.
B)public officer may choose personal interest over the interests and welfare of the public.
C)​public officer may not be properly compensated for his or her work.
D)conflict of interest does not present a meaningful problem.

Question 22

Business and agriculture interest groups are interested in all of the following except

A)encouraging government regulations.
B)securing benefits called subsidies.
C)keeping their taxes low.
D)receiving government contracts to increase profits.

Question 23

According to state law,which of the following statements about lobbying is incorrect?

A)Not all lobbyists are required by state law to register and report their activities.
B)Lobbyists not paid wages or reimbursed for their expenses are not required to register with the state.
C)Individuals and organizations that spend more than a specified amount of money attempting to shape public decisions are required to register.
D)All lobbyists must file financial reports with the secretary of state.

Question 24

​As a lobbyist you would rather have the support of

A)​the majority of residents in the state.
B)​the chair of legislative committees relevant to your issue.
C)​the presiding officers of the legislator.
D)​key religious leaders in the state.

Question 25

Lobbyists influence the courts in Texas by​

A)actively campaigning for candidates who support their cause.
B)​direct lobbying.
C)encouraging the governor to fill court vacancies with friendly judicial appointees. 
D)actively campaigning for candidates who support their cause,and encouraging the governor to fill court vacancies with friendly judicial appointees. 

Question 26

Which of the following are least likely to subscribe to the Texas Register?

A)Corporations
B)Labor unions
C)Ordinary citizens
D)Interest groups

Question 27

___________ is the promotion of a particular public policy position.

A)Lobbying
B)Advocacy
C)Hiring
D)Interest group

Question 28

The ability to contact an official either in person or by phone is called

A)access.
B)contribution.
C)lobbying.
D)political influence.

Question 29

​Lobbyists are able to have influence on the policy-making process after a law leaves the legislature because

A)​Texas governors have a history of giving lobbyists an informal veto power on all legislation.
B)​the Texas legislature gives the bureaucracy a great deal of administrative discretion through the rule-making process.
C)​the Texas office of customer satisfaction requires that the bureaucracy run all implementation plans by interested lobbyists and stakeholders.
D)​none of these choices is true.

Question 30

When a special interest is seeking a change in policy that affects the balance of power in the political,social,or economic system,there will be

A)much greater participation and conflict.
B)less participation and conflict.
C)much greater participation and less conflict.
D)much less participation and greater conflict.

Question 31

Texas lobbyists outnumber legislators​

A)​2 to 1
B)​9 to 1
C)​100 to 1
D)​3 to 1

Question 32

Which of the following concerning campaign contributions for state house and senate candidates is correct?

A)Total contributions for senate races were greater than the total for house races.
B)Total contributions for senate races were less than the total for house races.
C)Total contributions for senate and house races were about the same.
D)More money was raised in Texas for these races than any other state.

Question 33

In the case of Caperton v.A.T.Massey,the U.S.Supreme Court

A)placed greater restrictions on campaign contributions in judicial races.
B)banned contributions in judicial races.
C)began to set parameters for the most egregious examples of conflicts of interest.
D)removed all restrictions on contributions in judicial races.

Question 34

The Texas Register is used by a state agency to provide

A)notice of intent to make a rule.
B)guidelines issued by agencies to govern the actions of their employees.
C)all executive agreements.
D)a list of all state lobbyists.

Question 35

Which is not an interest group activity?

A)Creating a political action committee (PAC)
B)Endorsing candidates
C)Recommending that its members vote for a particular candidate
D)Nominating candidates for office

Question 36

The blurring of lines between the state and a special interest group is called

A)a structured conspiracy.
B)co-optation.
C)negative cooperation.
D)symmetry.

Question 37

Special interest groups use the court system because of all of the following except

A)the court system can give a more favorable interpretation of the law than that given by the enforcing agency.
B)lawsuits are less expensive than trying to influence the legislature.
C)the court system serves as a way to delay application of costly rules.
D)the court system is a way to political capital for supporters.

Question 38

An organization created by interest groups to promote common goals is identified as what type of organization?

A)Shield
B)Umbrella
C)Life boat
D)Floater

Question 39

Which industry groups in Texas had the largest number and maximum value of contracts signed with lobbyists?

A)Insurance
B)Real estate
C)Energy/natural resources
D)Computers and electronics

Question 40

When interest groups employ lobbying officeholders to file suits in court,get their advocates appointed to state boards,testify before legislative committees,these are examples of

A)direct means of influencing government.
B)indirect means of influencing government.
C)mixed interest means of influencing government.
D)influencing government.

Question 41

The Center for Public Integrity has criticized the Texas Ethics Commission for which of the following reasons​?

A)​Members are appointed by the governor and legislature creating a conflict of interest.
B)​Commissioners split along party lines.
C)​In order to pursue any investigation,six of eight commissioners must agree.
D)​All of these choices are true.

Question 42

Studies regarding the power of interest groups consistently show that

A)where political parties are weak,interest groups are also weak.
B)where political parties are weak,interest groups are strong.
C)where political parties are strong,interest groups are also strong.
D)all of these choices are true.

Question 43

The members of the Texas legislature must be provided with a list of registered lobbyists and their clients by

A)January 1 of each legislative session.
B)February 1 of each legislative session.
C)March 1 of each legislative session.
D)July 1 of each legislative session.

Question 44

Who are some of the most powerful interest groups in Texas and what issues/industries do they represent? How are alliances formed among interest groups in Texas?

Question 45

A mass alliance of like-minded groups and individuals seeking broad changes in the direction of government policies is called a(n)

A)political demonstration.
B)political movement.
C)whistle-blower.
D)umbrella alliance.

Question 46

Texas law states that ex-legislators

A)cannot become lobbyists.
B)cannot become lobbyists for two years after leaving office.
C)cannot be lobbyists for groups that they had power over when they were serving as legislators.
D)can become lobbyists with no restrictions.

Question 47

All of the following are exempt from lobbyists' reports except

A)compensation received to prepare for lobbying.
B)office expenses.
C)costs above expenditure threshold of $500 per year.
D)costs associated with events to which all members of the legislature are invited.

Question 48

Which state agency has the responsibility to establish standards of conduct for lobbyists?

A)Texas Public Policy Commission
B)Sunset Advisory Commission
C)Texas Audit Commission
D)Texas Ethics Commission

Question 49

When an organization decides to endorse and recommend that its members vote for the candidate more disposed to support their values,this is an example of

A)electioneering.
B)astroturf lobbying.
C)concrete lobbying.
D)collective lobbying.

Question 50

Why is it difficult for any one special interest group to dominate Texas state politics?

A)There is a wide diversity of interests.
B)Demographics are always shifting.
C)We elect too many individuals to too many offices.
D)We have too many elections.

Question 51

Which of the following has occurred when a public official makes a decision that might result in a personal economic advantage?

A)Co-optation
B)Conflict of interest
C)Public interest
D)Advocacy

Question 52

Which characteristic of the structure of government in Texas makes it difficult for one interest to dominate the whole government?

A)Separation of powers
B)Checks and balances
C)Appointed officials with fixed terms
D)All of these choices are true.

Question 53

Late train contributions are campaign funds given

A)only to independent candidates.
B)to PACs.
C)by railroad interests.
D)to the winning legislative candidate.

Question 54

Discuss the state laws regulating lobbying in Texas.What are they required to report? What are they not required to report? Select one of the areas that does not require reporting and explain why you agree or disagree with the law that allow for this.

Question 55

"Iron triangles" are composed of which of the following?

A)Legislative committee members,high-ranking bureaucrats,and representatives of special interests
B)The governor,legislators,and representatives of special interests
C)The governor,academics,and representatives of special interests
D)None of these choices is true.

Question 56

Explain the revolving door and the Texas legislature.Should ex-legislators be able to become lobbyists? Or should there be a ban on such activities? If so,should there be laws in place that will determine the time period of this kind of ban? Do you see any long-term dangers to permitting former lawmakers to serve as lobbyists?

Question 57

According to state law,when registering,lobbyists are required to reveal to the state

A)for whom the person lobbies.
B)information about their clients and employers.
C)the policy areas of concern.
D)all of these choices are true.

Question 58

_______ is the good of the whole society,without bias for or against any particular segment of the society.

A)Co-optation
B)Public interest
C)Conflict of interest
D)Public good

Question 59

Research shows that the main element that determines the political power of a group is

A)how long the group has been established.
B)how much public officials need the group.
C)how large the membership.
D)where the group's headquarters is located.

Question 60

​How do judicial elections make the court system vulnerable to the influence of special interests?

Question 61

What changes would you make to the Texas Ethics Commission to address the criticisms made by the Center for Public Integrity?​

Question 62

What is co-optation? What are the consequences of co-optation occurring? What,if any,are the positive aspects to co-optation? Negative?

Question 63

Discuss the different types of interest groups and explain why the economic groups are considered the most important.Which group has the least amount of influence and why?

Question 64

Discuss the difference between iron triangle and issue networks.Which do you believe is better at influencing public policy outcomes? Why or why not?

Question 65

Describe the function and influence of PACs on policy process in Texas.​

Question 66

What changes would your propose to the state government to prevent co-optation in the future? Would the courts,legislature,or bureaucracy be the most effective institution to tackle this problem? Why?​

Question 67

What is the purpose of interest groups,and what are some of the positive and negative views of these groups? Why do you think people join interest groups? How do they attempt to influence the decisions of government officials? Summarize some of the criticisms of these groups.Do you agree or disagree with the criticisms? Explain.

Question 68

Explain how the right to join an interest group or the right of association is protected by the U.S.Constitution.Do you think that these guarantees can endanger a representative democracy?