Question 1

If you are a member of the Texas House of Representatives and wish to become the next Speaker,how would you go about getting elected to that position?

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the Texas House is elected by the members of the House at the start of each regular session, so campaigning among the membership of the Texas House would be the best way to get elected to the position. Seeking the nomination of your party or seeking appointment from the governor are not likely to be successful strategies for becoming Speaker of the Texas House. Working diligently for reelection and being the most senior member of the House are not necessarily factors that determine who becomes Speaker.

Question 2

The Texas legislature ignores the proposed biennial state budget submitted to it by the governor in favor of the budget prepared by the

Accepted Answer

The Legislative Budget Board is responsible for developing and recommending a biennial budget to the Texas Legislature for approval. Therefore, it makes sense that the legislature would favor the budget prepared by this board over the budget proposed by the governor. The State Board of Control, Texas Budget Authority, lieutenant governor, and Comptroller of Public Accounts do not have a direct role in developing and recommending the state budget to the legislature.

Question 3

The first legislature of the State of Texas convened

Accepted Answer

The first legislature of the State of Texas convened immediately after Texas joined the United States, which occurred in 1845. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836 and existed as the Republic of Texas until it was annexed by the United States.

Question 4

A bill that has been given final approval on the third reading in the chamber where the bill originated is considered to be

Accepted Answer

An engrossed bill is one that has been given final approval on the third reading in the chamber where it originated.

Question 5

African Americans played an integral role in the political and legislative process in Texas during Reconstruction.

Accepted Answer

During Reconstruction in Texas, African Americans were given the right to vote and hold political office. As a result, they were able to have significant representation in the legislature and play a vital role in shaping political decisions. Many black legislators worked tirelessly to pass legislation that aimed to improve the lives of their fellow citizens, including laws that addressed education, land ownership, and civil rights.

Question 6

"Ghost voting" refers to the practice in which

Accepted Answer

"Ghost voting" refers to the practice of a member casting a vote on behalf of an absent colleague using the colleague's unique electronic voting device. This is against the rules of many legislative bodies and is considered fraudulent.

Question 7

The Texas legislature typically meets in regular session

Accepted Answer

The Texas legislature meets in regular session once every two years for 140 days. This is mandated by the Texas Constitution. However, the Governor has the power to call special sessions outside of this regular session.

Question 8

If a state representative is "carrying water," he or she is obliged to support a local bill for another member because that member supported your local bill previously.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a state representative is "carrying water,"...

Question 9

The president of the Senate is the

Accepted Answer

The president of the Senate is typically the Lieutenant Governor in the majority of states in the U.S. This individual presides over the Senate, helps set the agenda for the Senate's work, and may cast a tie-breaking vote in the event of a stalemate. Therefore, the best choice is E) Lieutenant Governor.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a job of the legislative staff?

Accepted Answer

Legislative staff members do not have the authority to formally introduce bills in the House in the absence of a representative. This is a responsibility that only elected members of Congress have.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a means in which the governor influences the legislative process?

Accepted Answer

Governors cannot personally and formally introduce bills in the legislature; this is typically the role of legislators themselves. Governors influence the legislative process through other means such as issuing emergency declarations, using veto power, calling special sessions, and setting agendas for those sessions.

Question 12

A trend in the Texas legislature is toward

Accepted Answer

The trend in the Texas legislature is toward increased partisan rancor and partisan structural organization. This can be seen in the increased polarization between Republicans and Democrats, as well as the growing influence of party leadership over legislative decisions. Additionally, redistricting efforts have further reinforced partisan divisions in the state.

Question 13

Who is allowed to call a special session of the legislature?

Accepted Answer

The governor is allowed to call a special session of the legislature. This is outlined in most state constitutions and gives the governor the power to convene the legislature outside of its regular meeting schedule. The governor can do this to address pressing issues or emergencies that require immediate action.

Question 14

The weighty,detailed work of the legislature-such as hearings,testimony,deliberation,and marking up proposed legislation-is done

Accepted Answer

The weighty, detailed work of the legislature is typically done in committees. Hearings, testimony, deliberation, and marking up proposed legislation are all functions of congressional committees. While some of these activities may take place on the House or Senate floor, the bulk of the work occurs in the various committees that make up the legislative branch.

Question 15

.Texas is no longer subject to the preclearance requirements of the Voting Rights Act.

Accepted Answer

The answer of .Texas is no longer subject to the...

Question 16

Since 1876,there have been 181 seats in the legislature-31 seats in the Senate and 150 seats in the House of Representatives.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Legislature consists of 181 seats, but it is divided into 31 seats in the Senate and 150 seats in the House of Representatives, and this structure has not been constant since 1876; the number of seats can change based on constitutional amendments and legislative decisions.

Question 17

Which of the following is a joint legislative committee that provides legal advice,bill drafting,program evaluation,and other services to members of the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

The Legislative Council is responsible for providing legal advice, bill drafting, program evaluation, and other services to members of the Texas legislature. The Legislative Budget Board is responsible for preparing and recommending a state budget to the legislature, while the Calendars Committee determines which bills will be scheduled for debate on the House floor. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is a statewide elected office and the presiding officer of the Texas Senate. The House Bill Analysis Office provides analyses for bills that are scheduled for debate in the Texas House of Representatives.

Question 18

Texas senators have six-year terms of office and members of the Texas House have two-year terms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Texas senators have six-year terms of office...

Question 19

The annual salary of a member of the Texas legislature is

Accepted Answer

Members of the Texas legislature receive an annual salary of $7,200, reflecting the state's part-time legislative model.

Question 20

Interim committees meet

Accepted Answer

Interim committees are created to study specific issues and make recommendations for legislative action between regular legislative sessions. They meet during the interim period, which is the time between the end of one legislative session and the beginning of the next.

Quiz 18: The Texas Legislature