In the Texas legislature, the House has ______ members and the senate has ______ members.
answer
150;31
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One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it...
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permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill.
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The requirements for holding office in the Texas legislature
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are the same as in the U.S. Constitution.
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The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a
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white, affluent businessman
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For how long does the Texas legislature meet?
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140 days, every other year
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Which of the following is not a legislative power of the Texas governor?
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Removing, for suitable cause, the Speaker or lieutenant governor
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The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature are set by the...
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the governor
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Which of the following statements about special sessions of the Texas legislature is true?
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Special sessions are common, held an average of once a year since 1876.
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In 2004 and 2005, three special sessions were called in the Texas legislature to deal with...
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school finance
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Which of the following is neither a duty nor a power of the lieutenant governor in Texas?
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The ability to call the Texas Senate into special session.
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A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a?
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Local Bill
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If the legislature grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law, it is called...
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a special bill
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What is the main difference between a bill and a resolution?
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Unlike a bill, a resolution, if passed, lacks the force of a public law.
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Define simple resolutions:
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A resolution that concerns only the Texas House or Senate, such as the adoption of a rule or the appointment of an employee, and which does not require the governor's signature.
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What are constituency services provided by Texas representatives?
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-Writing a letter of recommendation for a constituent.
-Legislative activity.
-Attempting to influence decisions of government agencies.
-Giving a speech to a local civic group
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Know the non legislative powers of the Texas legislature.
answer
-the power of impeachment
-Investigative powers
-to formally count the returns in the Texas Governor's races
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In Texas, who can write a bill?
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anyone at all
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In the Texas legislature, all bills dealing with state revenue must...
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start in the House of Representatives.
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In the Texas legislature, the referral of a bill to a standing committee in the House and the senate is the job of whom?
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Speaker of the House and lieutenant governor.
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In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens?
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The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee.
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As in the U.S. Congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature?
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It is a committee designed to make differing House and Senate versions of the same bill identical.
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In Texas, why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful?
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It cannot be overturned by the legislature.
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When the governor strikes out specific spending provisions in large appropriations bills, it is called...
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The line-item veto.
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In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the ______ power.
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Message
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Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?
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The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget.
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How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?
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chosen as speaker by a majority vote of the House membership at the opening of the legislative session, elected by the members of the House of Representatives
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In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?
answer
the Speaker of the House
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Legislative districts in the Texas House and Senate are...
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Single member districts
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Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?
answer
The Texas legislature
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What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims?
answer
The Court struck down state senate inequality, basing their decision on the principle of "one person, one vote." Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533 (1964) was a United States Supreme Court case that ruled that state legislature districts had to be roughly equal in population.
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When does the Legislative Redistricting Board have the authority to draw new districts?
answer
If the legislature fails to redraw districts at the first regular session after the census.
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What unconventional action did the Texas legislature take in 2003?
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It redistricted a second time in a single decade.
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What type of powers does the governor of Texas have?
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The Governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature.
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Know the qualification a person would need to be a viable candidate for governor of Texas?
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thirty years of age, prior political experience, U.S. citizenship, access to money
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Who was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction, and when was he or she elected?
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William Clements 1978
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In Texas, why are gubernatorial elections held in off years?
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To minimize the effect of presidential elections on the selection of the Texas Governor.
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What is the ultimate check on the governor?
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Impeachment
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In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?
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The lieutenant governor
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______ is the only Texas governor to be both impeached and convicted.
answer
James Ferguson
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What is the most important function of the Texas governor's staff?
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to keep the governor informed about problems and issues
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What is the most significant and far-reaching of the Texas governor's powers?
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Being able to impeach people in the house or senate.
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Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy?
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The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees
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Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?
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The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster.
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What is the Department of Public Safety is responsible for?
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DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and vehicle regulation. The Public Safety Commission oversees DPS.
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What are the legislative powers of the Texas governor?
answer
The Governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature.
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When the Texas governor strikes out particular spending provisions in an appropriations bill, it is called...
answer
The line-item veto.
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For a Texas governor, what is the benefit of a post-adjournment veto?
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The legislature is prevented from overriding it.
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What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power?
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the power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts
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In Texas, what is the primary effect of a plural executive?
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It dilutes the power of the governor and fragments the executive branch.
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What makes the greatest difference between strong and weak governors of Texas?
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the differences in personality
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Why did the Texas constitution establish a plural executive?
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There was suspicion of a strong chief executive
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In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is not elected by voters?
answer
the secretary of state
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What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?
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administering elections and maintaining some financial records
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What is the function of the lieutenant governor in Texas?
answer
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the Legislative Budget Board.
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The chief lawyer for Texas is the...
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Attorney General
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Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?
answer
collecting child-support payments
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The ______ is the oldest state agency in Texas.
answer
General Land Office
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Which office is charged with ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures?
answer
The Department of Agriculture
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In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
answer
Estimating tax revenues for the legislature
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Which state office was eliminated in 1996?
answer
State treasurer
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In Texas, how is the plural executive is held accountable?
answer
appointment by the governor.
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Setting local telephone and electric rates is the responsibility of whom?
answer
Public Utilities Commission
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What is the Texas Department of Insurance and its function?
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the mission is to protect insurance consumers by: Regulating the insurance industry fairly and diligently. Promoting a stable and competitive market. Providing information that makes a difference.
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Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the ______ in 2005.
answer
Texas Department of Transportation
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The Texas State Board of Education is responsible for?
answer
responsible for public education. The agency is headquartered in the William B. Travis State Office Building in Downtown Austin.
question
What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?
answer
It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed.
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