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Texas Government EXAM 2 Questions and Answers
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Texas Government EXAM 2 Questions and Answers
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Texas Government EXAM 2 Questionsand Answers
What is the best way to describe the power dynamic of the three branches of Texas
government? - Answers -All three branches of Texas government were designed to be
weak, with the legislative branch the least weak of the three.
What are the two central functions of the Texas legislature? - Answers -to allow the
representation of various interests and to provide a forum where parties with conflicting
goals can reconcile their differences through the lawmaking process
What is bicameral legislature? - Answers -a legislature with two chambers
What is the difference between house and senate representation in Texas? - Answers -
Legislators in the house represent smaller districts with fewer constituents and have
shorter terms than senators.
How frequently, and for how long, does the Texas legislature meet? - Answers -for 140
days every other year
At the end of the last day of a legislative session, what happens to legislation that has
not been approved by both houses? - Answers -The legislation is dead.
The governor may use the threat of a special session to what purpose? - Answers -to
incentivize the legislature to focus on policy areas of concern to the governor
How many legislators does Texas have? - Answers -181
Why were single-member districts uniformly implemented for the 1972 elections? -
Answers -The previous system was detrimental to the voting strength of minorities.
How long are the terms of the members of the Texas House of Representatives? -
Answers -2 years
How often does Texas go through the redistricting process? - Answers -Every 10 years
What is the purpose of staggering terms of office for senators? - Answers -It prevents
the disruption that a political or economic upheaval might cause the chamber.
According to the text, what is an effect of having "citizen legislators" who maintain
careers outside of their jobs as public officials? - Answers -The system creates potential
, conflicts of interest in which legislators may advocate for measures that benefit their
own business interests.
How much do Texas legislators get paid? - Answers -$7,200 annually plus expenses.
Why does Texas have a part-time, low-paid legislature? - Answers -To maintain limited
government
What is an effect of the part-time status of the Texas legislature? - Answers -It requires
members to have other jobs and occupations.
Most states in the U.S are what kind of legislature? - Answers -A hybrid legislature
When legislators are not in the capitol, what other activities are they doing? - Answers -
"State legislators also spend large amounts of time assisting constituents, studying state
issues during the interim and campaigning for election." -NCSL
How does Texas compensation compare to the rest of the states who fall under hybrid
legislature? - Answers -They make significantly lower wages compared to others in this
category.
What would qualify a Texan for a position in the Texas Senate? - Answers -In order to
run for the Texas Senate, a person must be at least 26 years old, must have lived in
Texas for at least five years, must have lived in his or her district for at least one year,
and must be a U.S. citizen.
What made it easier for minorities to participate in politics and drove many conservative,
white Texans to join the Republican Party? - Answers -The federal Voting Rights Act of
1965 removed some of the barriers preventing minorities from participating in politics,
and this drove many conservative, white Texans to join the Republican Party.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed a measure that cut funding for family-planning
programs by two-thirds. What demographic characteristics of the legislature might have
played a role in this policy decision? - Answers -the lack of female representation in
both chambers
The diversification of the state's economy, the growth of cities, and national political
party transformation have all contributed to what? - Answers -the increasing diversity in
the Texas legislature
What is one factor that causes incumbents to be reelected at such high rates? -
Answers -Voters tend to select candidates whose names they recognize on the ballot.
The 2010 elections saw incumbents being defeated at higher rates than normal due to
what? - Answers -the rise of the Tea Party
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