Unit 2 Review 3 Branches of Government

The ability of a government leader or institution to generate, organize, and analyze information in order to govern effectively

capacity

Powerful tool the governor can use to gain leverage over the legislature

veto

Probably the most crucial element in the legislative process

timing

Agents who represent special interest groups and supply vital information to lawmakers

Lobbyists

A vital key to building a governor's power

longevity

Highest civil court in Texas

Supreme Court

Bill sent to the senate floor without any intention to bring it up for discussion and vote

blocking bill

Number of readings each bill receives in each legislative chamber before final passage

three

Time allotted during a committee meeting for public comment on a bill

hearing

Because they are elected, not appointed, judges in Texas are often forced to act as ______.

politicians

The legislature meets in regular ________ sessions

biennial

Governor who came to be regarded as a tyrant in Texas history

EJ Davis

Justices of the peace hold exclusive civil jurisdiction over ____cases (cases involving less than $200)

small claims

To allow the legislature to consider a bill at any time during the session, a governor may declare that bill to be an ______

emergency

The elected commission responsible for regulating the oil and gas industry

railroad

A bill becomes law with or without a governor's _____, unless he vetoes it

signature

Trial courts in which all felony cases will be litigated

district courts

Leader responsible for calling special sessions of the legislature and setting their agenda

governor

The state's chief financial officer

comptroller

Formal directives having the force of law issued by the governor to parts of the state executive branch

executive orders

Party that has controlled the majority in both legislative chambers since 2002

Republican

Address given by the governor every regular legislative session and used to push his agenda

state of the state

The most powerful interest groups in Texas are the _____ groups

business

Some would argue that the Texas government is _____ by design

broken

A proposed law

bill

Intermediate courts created to handle appeals from district and county courts

court of appeals

The state's top lawyer

attorney general

Judicial candidates run in _____ races, as Republicans and Democrats

partisan

Number of years a state board member is appointed to serve

six

The state attorney general may issue advisory _____ to explain how a law or constitutional provision or court decision may be interpreted and applied in Texas

opinions

Courts created to handle Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases and civil cases involving less than $100K

county courts

Probably the least-qualified judges in all of Texas

justices of the peace

Number of subjects a bill in the state legislature may address

one

Number of days a special legislative session may last

thirty

House committee that serves as a gatekeeper to the house floor

calendars committee

The State Court of Criminal Appeals handles automatic appeals in all ____ murder cases

capital

Governor may not remove his predecessors' _______ from their positions in state government

appointees

Municipal courts have criminal jurisdiction over Class C_____ only

misdemeanor

From justices of the peace to state supreme court justices, all judges in Texas are _____

elected

The senate may _____ the rules and bring a bill up out of order if 18 or more senators consent

suspend

Both state house members and state senators represent single-member _____

districts

Constitutional and _____County Courts share jurisdiction

statutory

The State Board of Education is responsible for adopting a list of approved _____ for public school use

textbooks

Presiding officer of the state house

speaker of the house

The Commissioner of _____ is responsible for regulating grain houses and school lunch programs

agriculture

Types of elections that hinder minorities from winning seats to certain courts

at-large

The governor possesses line-item veto power over state ________ bills

appropriations

The merit-based system of judicial selection includes gubernatorial appointment followed by periodic _____ elections

selection

The state's lawmaking body

legislature

High-ranking legislators with significant power over the fate of bills

committee chairmen

About 70% of Texans ____ the elected judiciary

support

Most powerful leader in the state

lieutenant governor