Overview of Texas Government and Legislature

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to the Texas Government and Legislature based on the lecture notes.

What are the two chambers of the Texas Legislature?

The Texas Legislature consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

How many Senators are there in the Texas Legislature?

There are 31 Senators in the Texas Legislature.

What is the term length for members of the Texas House of Representatives?

Members of the Texas House of Representatives serve 2-year terms.

What is the salary of Texas legislators?

Texas legislators have a salary of $7,200 per year, plus $221 per day when in session.

What model does Texas use for its legislature?

Texas uses the 'citizen legislature' model, where legislators serve as a part-time job.

What is the term length for the Texas Governor?

The Texas Governor serves a 4-year term.

What are the qualifications to become the Texas Governor?

To be Texas Governor, one must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen, and a resident of Texas for 5 years prior to election.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing legislative district boundaries to benefit a particular political party.

What powers does the Governor of Texas not possess?

The Governor cannot appoint many statewide offices, as most powerful positions are elected.

What formal power allows the Governor to call additional legislative sessions?

The power to convene special sessions is a formal power of the Governor.