Question 1

Equality in redistricting finally arrived in Texas as a result of state court intervention in 1975.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Trace the changes in partisanship of the Texas legislature from Democratic to Republican dominance. Why is partisanship increasing? Provide specific examples.

Accepted Answer

The partisanship of the Texas legislatur...

Question 3

In 2003, Democrats still controlled both houses of the Texas legislature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Why is the committee system considered the backbone of the legislative process? What are the different types and roles of committees?

Accepted Answer

The committee system is considered the b...

Question 5

An opportunistic legislator

Accepted Answer

A)   spends endless hours developing programs and are turned to often for advice.
B)   tends to contribute little in terms of legislation and have little influence over others.
C)   pursues issues to produce personal or political benefits.
D)   tends to enjoy the perks of the office more than actual legislating.
E)   is more interested in scoring political points through outrageous behavior than legislating.

Question 6

Because the overriding consideration for most lawmakers is to get reelected, the interests of which source are most important in leading them to a decision on how to vote?

Accepted Answer

A)   Campaign contributors are vital to a legislator so care must be taken not to alienate them.
B)   They must carefully balance the interests of a variety of groups to ensure continued support.
C)   The political party to which the legislator is a member of can make or break a legislator's career.
D)   Legislators represent the people who put their faith in a legislator's personal convictions.
E)   A legislator's senior colleagues are the biggest influence on how they will vote.

Question 7

During the third reading, a bill may be amended by

Accepted Answer

A)   four-fifths approval.
B)   three-fourths approval.
C)   two-thirds approval.
D)   three-fifths approval.
E)   majority approval.

Question 8

Why did Democratic legislators leave Texas in 2003 while the legislature was in session? Do you believe this was a fair tactic? Defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

Democratic legislators left Texas in 200...

Question 9

A bill is ________ after a successful third reading in the originating chamber.

Accepted Answer

A)   sent to the opposite chamber
B)   brought before debate on the floor
C)   sent to the governor
D)   brought before the presiding officer for approval
E)   sent to committee one last time

Question 10

Why has there traditionally been no formal division along party lines or a formal system of choosing floor leaders in the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)   The powers of the presiding officers and the longtime Democratic-controlled system did not produce a leadership structure comparable to that of the U.S. Congress.
B)   Though membership in the legislature includes Republicans and Democrats, the delegation of power has not been typically done in a partisan fashion.
C)   Legislative rules concerning the appointing of floor leaders was removed in the early twentieth century to reduce partisanship.
D)   The powers of the governor over the legislature and longtime Democratic-controlled system did not produce a leadership structure comparable to that of the U.S. Congress.
E)   Though membership in the legislature includes Republicans and Democrats, the delegation of power has been left to the whim of the presiding officers, which varies greatly.

Question 11

The state budget is the most important bill enacted by the legislature because it indicates how much money there is to spend during the session.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

In recent years, the legislature has increasingly become dominated by business owners and attorneys because

Accepted Answer

A)   new qualifications for one to serve in the legislature require a postgraduate degree.
B)   low legislative pay and increasing demands on time preclude many salaried people from serving.
C)   voters believe that people with these backgrounds are best fit to serve in the legislature.
D)   they more often than not have the money required to file for candidacy.
E)   doctors and educators, who once dominated the legislature, have shown a declining interest.

Question 13

Legislators receive retirement benefits that are almost triple the amount of their original legislative pay.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Of the 5,796 bills introduced during the 2011 regular session, only about ________ finally passed both chambers.

Accepted Answer

A)   1,400
B)   2,500
C)   3,700
D)   4,100
E)   5,200

Question 15

To bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for debate requires

Accepted Answer

A)   the permission of the senior member of the majority party.
B)   a two-thirds approval vote by the Senate.
C)   a three-fourths approval vote by the House.
D)   the approval of the chair of the committee that considered the bill.
E)   the approval of the Calendars Committee.

Question 16

Most legislators are honest, hard-working individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In 2011, about 5,700 pieces of legislation were introduced during the regular legislative session.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The legislative process is designed to institutionalize

Accepted Answer

A)   conflict.
B)   duels.
C)   relationships.
D)   change.
E)   statutes.

Question 19

The legislative rules and the heavy volume of bills considered ________ enables lawmakers to sneak major, controversial proposals into law by adding little noticed amendments to other bills.

Accepted Answer

A)   never
B)   sometimes
C)   always
D)   once each session
E)   by no means

Question 20

Today, Texas is the country's second most populous state and is more than 80 percent urban.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 8: The texas legislature

The legislative process is designed to institutionalize

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Today, Texas is the country's second most populous state and is more than 80 percent urban.

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Why did Democratic legislators leave Texas in 2003 while the legislature was in session? Do you believe this was a fair tactic? Defend your answer.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIDemocratic legislators left Texas in 200...View AnswerShow Answer

The legislative rules and the heavy volume of bills considered ________ enables lawmakers to sneak major, controversial proposals into law by adding little noticed amendments to other bills.

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In 2003, Democrats still controlled both houses of the Texas legislature.

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Trace the changes in partisanship of the Texas legislature from Democratic to Republican dominance. Why is partisanship increasing? Provide specific examples.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe partisanship of the Texas legislatur...View AnswerShow Answer

Most legislators are honest, hard-working individuals.

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A bill is ________ after a successful third reading in the originating chamber.

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In 2011, about 5,700 pieces of legislation were introduced during the regular legislative session.

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An opportunistic legislator

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Legislators receive retirement benefits that are almost triple the amount of their original legislative pay.

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To bring a bill to the floor of the Senate for debate requires

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Why has there traditionally been no formal division along party lines or a formal system of choosing floor leaders in the Texas legislature?

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During the third reading, a bill may be amended by

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Of the 5,796 bills introduced during the 2011 regular session, only about ________ finally passed both chambers.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In recent years, the legislature has increasingly become dominated by business owners and attorneys because

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Why is the committee system considered the backbone of the legislative process? What are the different types and roles of committees?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe committee system is considered the b...View AnswerShow Answer

Because the overriding consideration for most lawmakers is to get reelected, the interests of which source are most important in leading them to a decision on how to vote?

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Equality in redistricting finally arrived in Texas as a result of state court intervention in 1975.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The state budget is the most important bill enacted by the legislature because it indicates how much money there is to spend during the session.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Democratic legislators left Texas in 200...
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The partisanship of the Texas legislatur...
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The committee system is considered the b...
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