Texas Govt Exam 2

What are the four main functions of the legislature?

1) Representation, 2) Lawmaking, 3) Oversight, 4) Redistricting

What is gerrymandering?

The modification of electoral districts to favor one party over another.

What landmark case established the principle of 'one person, one vote'?

Baker vs. Carr (1962)

What is the composition of the Texas legislature?

31 state senators and 150 House of Representatives members.

What is the term length for Texas House members?

2 years

What is the term length for Texas senators?

4 years

What is the maximum number of days for a biennial legislative session in Texas?

140 days

What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House?

To preside over the House and manage its proceedings.

What is the process for a bill to become law in Texas?

1) Introduce bill, 2) Committee stage, 3) Floor stage, 4) Conference stage, 5) Governor's approval.

What is a line item veto?

The governor's power to reject specific provisions of a bill, typically related to appropriations.

What does the term 'pigeonholing' refer to in the legislative process?

The act of burying a bill in committee, effectively killing it.

What is the role of the Lieutenant Governor in Texas?

To preside over the Texas Senate and have significant influence over the legislative agenda.

What is the significance of the Texas Ethics Commission?

It oversees the conduct and financial disclosures of public officials in Texas.

What is the purpose of the Sunset Act in Texas?

To review state agencies every 12 years for effectiveness and relevance.

What is the concept of 'senatorial courtesy'?

A tradition allowing one senator to block a governor's appointment in their district.

What are the governor's judicial powers in Texas?

Limited; the governor does not have significant judicial powers.

What is the maximum term length for a Texas governor?

4 years, with a customary limit of 2 terms.

What is the role of the Texas Railroad Commission?

To regulate the oil and gas industry in Texas, elected by voters.

What is the primary function of the Texas Secretary of State?

To supervise elections in Texas.

What is the 'bully pulpit'?

The ability of the governor to use visibility and media to influence public opinion and legislative priorities.

What is the significance of the 2021 redistricting in Texas?

It involved significant political maneuvering and allegations of minority voter impact.

What is the role of the House Calendars Committee?

To schedule bills for debate in the Texas House.

What happens during the conference stage of the legislative process?

Members from both the House and Senate meet to compromise on a bill.

What is the maximum compensation for Texas legislators?

$7,200 per year.

What is the role of the Governor in the legislative process?

To approve or veto bills and set legislative agendas.

What are emergency powers in the context of the Texas governor?

Powers that allow the governor to act swiftly in times of crisis, such as declaring emergencies.

What is the structure of the Texas executive branch?

The Texas executive branch features a plural executive system with independently elected officials such as the Attorney General, Comptroller, and Agriculture Commissioner.

What challenges does the Texas governor face in coordinating state policy?

The governor lacks the power to command or fire independently elected officials, making coordination reliant on persuasion and negotiation.

What are the limitations of the Texas governor's appointive powers?

The governor's appointment authority is narrow, requiring Senate confirmation by a two-thirds vote and limiting the ability to remove appointees.

What is the 'Rick Perry Exception' in Texas governance?

Governor Rick Perry served long enough to appoint a majority of executive branch officials, granting him more influence than typical Texas governors.

How do Texas governors use appointments politically?

Appointments can serve as political rewards for campaign donors or allies, leading to perceptions of 'offices for sale.'

What informal powers are crucial for Texas governors?

Key informal powers include diplomacy, popularity, and visibility, which help in negotiating with the legislature and influencing policy.

What legislative powers does the Texas governor possess?

The governor can veto bills, use a line-item veto on spending bills, declare emergency items, send messages to the legislature, and call special sessions.

What budgetary control does the Texas governor have?

The governor has limited budgetary control, primarily proposing a budget but having little direct influence over spending beyond the line-item veto.

What judicial powers does the Texas governor hold?

The governor can grant reprieves, fill judicial vacancies by appointment, and command the Texas National Guard.

What is the role of the Texas governor as Head of State?

The governor serves as the symbolic representative of Texas, welcoming dignitaries and promoting the state's interests.

What are the major problems associated with the Texas bureaucracy?

Issues include secrecy, unchecked expansion, and complexity that obscures accountability.

What laws promote transparency and accountability in Texas government?

Key laws include the Open Records Act, Open Meetings Act, Sunset Act, and Whistleblower Protection Act.

What is the significance of the separation of powers in the Texas judiciary?

It ensures judges operate independently from the executive branch, maintaining judicial impartiality.

What are the challenges of an elective judiciary in Texas?

Voter inattentiveness and financial contributions from lawyers and lobbyists can compromise judicial integrity.

What is the Missouri Plan in the context of judicial appointments?

The Missouri Plan involves a commission on judicial nominations, where the governor appoints judges who then face retention elections.

What types of cases do municipal courts in Texas handle?

Municipal courts deal with small claims and Class C misdemeanors.

What is the role of the Texas Supreme Court?

The Texas Supreme Court handles civil law and constitutional matters, and consists of nine justices.

What is the function of the Court of Criminal Appeals in Texas?

The Court of Criminal Appeals, also with nine judges, focuses on criminal cases, including capital murder.

What are state district courts responsible for in Texas?

State district courts handle felonies, divorces, and all civil matters, and judges must be lawyers.

What is the significance of the Attorney General in Texas?

The Attorney General serves as the state's top lawyer, and their opinions are treated as authoritative until challenged in court.

What is the term length for judges in Texas at the county level?

Judges in county courts serve four-year terms.

What is a key characteristic of the Texas judicial system?

The Texas judiciary is characterized by partisan elections, which can influence judicial decisions.

What is the purpose of the Sunset Review Process in Texas?

The Sunset Review Process periodically reviews state agencies to ensure they justify their existence or face abolition.

What is the role of the Legislative Budget Board in Texas?

The Legislative Budget Board drafts most of the state budget, limiting the governor's direct control over budgetary matters.