GOVT 2306 UNIT 2

In Texas, what kinds of issues are most likely to provoke intense partisan battles?

Social issues like abortion and immigration

The Texas House of Representatives has ____ members, and the Senate has ____ members.

150; 31

Texas senators serve ____-year terms and House members serve ____-year terms.

4; 2

What is a requirement to become a member of the Texas House of Representatives?

Must be at least 21 years old

When does the Texas legislature officially take office?

The second Tuesday in January following an election

The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a:

Businessperson or lawyer

How long does the regular session of the Texas legislature meet?

140 days every odd-numbered year

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the:

Governor

What is a special session of the Texas legislature?

A 30-day session, called by the governor, to address specific topics

Revenue bills must start in the:

House of Representatives

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a:

Local bill

Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state?

A general bill

If the legislature grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law, it is called a:

Special bill

What is the difference between a joint resolution and a concurrent resolution?

Joint resolutions require the governor's signature, concurrent resolutions do not

Constituency services provided by Texas legislators include:

Helping constituents navigate state agencies

Unlike other states, in Texas, ____ can introduce a bill.

Only members of the legislature

In the Texas legislature, the referral of a bill to a standing committee is the job of the:

Speaker of the House (in the House) and Lieutenant Governor (in the Senate)

Rules of the legislature require that a bill be read on ____ separate occasions.

Three

How are the filibuster rules in the Texas Senate quite different from those in the U.S. Senate?

In Texas, the senator must speak on a topic relevant to the bill

What happens when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill?

It is set aside and never considered by the committee

What is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature?

To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful in Texas?

It cannot be overridden by the legislature

When the governor strikes out specific spending provisions in large appropriations bills it is called:

A line-item veto

In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the ____ power.

Message

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?

They must certify that the state has enough revenue to cover the budget

Which two political leaders in Texas are the most powerful figures in the state?

The Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor

How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?

Elected by the members of the Texas House

In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?

The Speaker of the House

Legislative districts in the Texas House and Senate are ____ member districts.

Single

Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?

The Texas Legislature

What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?

It established the "one person, one vote" principle for state legislative districts

The Legislative Redistricting Board has the authority to draw new districts if:

The legislature fails to redistrict itself in the first regular session after the census

One of the requirements when redistricting Texas House districts is that districts must have an equal population with no more than a ____ variance.

10%

What is gerrymandering?

The drawing of legislative districts to favor one political party or group

The highest leadership position in the Texas House of Representatives is the:

Speaker of the House

The highest leadership position in the Texas Senate is the:

Lieutenant Governor

A legislator's salary in Texas is:

$7,200 per year

In addition to the legislator's salary, legislators receive ____ in per diem per day when the legislature is in session.

$150

The impeachment process begins in the ____, who issue the articles of impeachment.

House of Representatives

The ____ holds the hearing to remove or retain a public official.

Senate

The Senate must vote by a ____ vote to remove a public official.

Two-thirds

The Sunset Act of 1977 requires state agencies to be reviewed every ____.

12 years

Who is the current Governor of Texas?

Greg Abbott

Executive power in Texas is divided among multiple elected officials. This is known as a:

Plural executive

The first woman to be elected governor of Texas was:

Miriam "Ma" Ferguson

What is a qualification for the Office of Governor in Texas?

Must be at least 30 years old

The Texas governor was very powerful under which constitution?

The Constitution of 1869

The governor of Texas has what kind of powers?

Very weak formal powers compared to other governors

The governor can appoint people to office, but the Texas ____ must confirm them.

Senate

In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is NOT elected by voters?

Secretary of State

An example of the governor's message power would be:

Delivering the State of the State address

Which veto allows the governor of Texas to veto specific lines of an appropriation bill?

Line-Item Veto

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the ____ and last ____ days.

Governor; 30

What is senatorial courtesy?

A custom where the governor seeks the approval of the state senator from a nominee's home district

The ____ creates a legislative budget based on the spending priorities over two years.

Legislative Budget Board (LBB)

____ is a process used by the governor to reduce or eliminate penalties for a crime.

Clemency

The act of granting a 30-day temporary delay of punishment by the governor is a:

Reprieve

Who serves as the president of the Texas Senate?

The Lieutenant Governor

Where does the Lieutenant Governor get their powers?

From the Texas Constitution and the rules of the Texas Senate

Who was the first Republican governor of Texas following Reconstruction?

Bill Clements, in 1978

The governor may be removed from office only by impeachment with conviction by the:

Senate

The impeachment process begins in/with the ____ with articles of impeachment.

House of Representatives

In order to convict the Governor, how many in the Senate must agree to convict?

A two-thirds majority (2/3)

In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office, who becomes governor?

The Lieutenant Governor

What is the Texas governor's most significant executive power?

The power to appoint officials to numerous boards and agencies

Why did the Texas Constitution establish a plural executive?

To prevent the governor from having too much power

What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?

To manage state elections

The chief lawyer for Texas is the:

Attorney General

The ____ is the oldest state agency in Texas.

General Land Office

In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?

Certifying the state's biennial revenue estimate

Which office is charged with regulating oil and gas in Texas?

The Railroad Commission of Texas

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

To review state agencies and recommend their abolition or continuation

What issues provoke intense partisan battles in the Texas legislature?

Issues such as budget allocations, education, and social policies.

How many members are in the Texas House and Senate?

The Texas House has 150 members, and the Senate has 31 members.

What are the term lengths for Texas senators and House members?

Texas senators serve 4-year terms, and House members serve 2-year terms.

What are the requirements to become a member of the Texas House of Representatives?

Must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for at least two years.

What is a special session of the Texas legislature?

A session called by the governor to address specific issues outside the regular legislative session.

Where must revenue bills start in the Texas legislature?

Revenue bills must start in the House of Representatives.

What is a Concurrent Resolution?

A resolution passed by both houses that does not require the governor's approval.

What is a Joint Resolution?

A resolution that requires approval from both houses and the governor, often used for constitutional amendments.

What is a Simple Resolution?

A resolution that addresses matters within one house and does not require the other house's approval.

Who can introduce a bill in the Texas legislature?

Any member of the legislature can introduce a bill.

What happens when a committee chair 'pigeonholes' a bill?

The bill is effectively set aside and not considered for further action.

What is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature?

To reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate.

What is the significance of the governor's post-adjournment veto in Texas?

It allows the governor to veto bills after the legislature has adjourned, making it difficult to override.

What is the highest leadership position in the Texas House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

What is the highest leadership position in the Texas Senate?

The President of the Senate.

Who is the current Governor of Texas?

As of the latest information, the current Governor is Greg Abbott.

What are the qualifications for the Office of Governor in Texas?

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for at least five years.

What is the salary of the Texas Governor?

The salary of the Texas Governor is $153,750.

What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power?

The power to grant clemency and reprieves.

What is senatorial courtesy?

A tradition where the Senate will not confirm an appointment if the senator from the appointee's district opposes it.

What is the Sunset Act of 1977?

A law requiring state agencies to be reviewed every 12 years for their effectiveness.

What is gerrymandering?

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

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

To oversee elections and maintain official state records.

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

To evaluate the need for state agencies and recommend their continuation or elimination.