Texas Legislative Process
Exam Answer Key
Course Introduction
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the legislative process in the state of Texas. Students will examine the structure, powers, and functions of the Texas Legislature, focusing on the procedural steps that govern how a bill becomes law. The course covers the roles of legislators, committees, legislative leaders, and the governor, as well as the influence of interest groups and the public on lawmaking. Through analysis of real legislative sessions, case studies, and current policy issues, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Texass unique bicameral legislative system and develop skills in tracking and interpreting legislative action.
Recommended Textbook
Practicing Texas Politics 15th Edition by Lyle Brown
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11 Chapters
834 Verified Questions
834 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics
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72 Verified Questions
72 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Texas ranks __________in addressing poverty and social problems.
A) in the top ten states
B) first in the nation
C) near the bottom of the fifty states
D) fifth in the country
Answer: C
Q2) The collapse of Enron occurred because of
A) a glut of electricity.
B) the fall in grain prices.
C) a major pipeline disaster on its network.
D) improper accounting and business practices.
Answer: D
Q3) The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently under the Department of A) State.
B) Defense.
C) Homeland Security.
D) Texas Immigration.
Answer: C
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Page 3
Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
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82 Verified Questions
82 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Texas Bill of Rights
A) is shorter than that in the federal Constitution.
B) contains a lower level of protection than does the federal Constitution.
C) has been deleted from the Texas Constitution because most rights are now federally protected.
D) contains a provision guaranteeing equal rights to women-something not found in the federal Constitution.
Answer: D
Q2) How many amendments to the Texas Constitution were adopted between 1876 and 2012?
A) 27
B) 50
C) 474
D) 502
Answer: C
Q3) Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845. Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas, and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.
Answer: Answers may vary.
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Local Governments
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76 Verified Questions
76 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) When a piece of real property (land and its improvements) is transferred, who records the deed of transfer?
A) Commissioner of the General Land Office
B) County auditor
C) County clerk
D) County tax assessor-collector
Answer: C
Q2) An ordinance may be established by all but
A) the state legislature.
B) a city council.
C) a city commission.
D) a referendum.
Answer: A
Q3) In Texas, a city with a population over 5,000 may be incorporated as a A) village.
B) home-rule city.
C) county.
D) borough.
Answer: B
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Political Parties
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74 Verified Questions
74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Texas, a state party's chair is selected by the
A) state convention delegates.
B) party primary voters.
C) State Executive Committee.
D) majority vote of the county chairs.
Q2) Liberals would most likely support which of the following policies?
A) Restricting the ability of a woman to obtain an abortion on demand
B) Prohibiting homosexuals from holding public employment
C) Equal pay for equal work laws regarding women
D) Reducing the progressivism of the national income tax
Q3) Returns from the party primaries for statewide office are canvassed by the A) county chairs meeting in Austin.
B) state party executive committee.
C) governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
D) chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
Q4) Changing demographic patterns in Harris and Dallas counties have
A) shown an increase in Democrats due to increases in minority populations.
B) maintained a balance between Democrats and Republicans.
C) shown an increase in Republican control due to white population increases.
D) None of the above is true.
Page 6
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Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
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72 Verified Questions
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Sample Questions
Q1) A primary system in which voters must pre-register their party affiliation is referred to as a(n)
A) blanket primary.
B) open primary.
C) closed primary
D) runoff primary.
Q2) In Texas, the responsibility of redistricting rests with the
A) governor.
B) state legislature.
C) sunset advisory board.
D) steering committee of the majority party.
Q3) Which of the following statements regarding the Campaign Reform Act of 2002 is false?
A) It prohibits soft money to political parties.
B) It has increased individual contribution limits.
C) It applies to candidates running for President of the United States.
D) It applies to candidates running for seats in the Texas legislature.
Q4) Describe the provisions in the Texas Election Code relating to the conducting, financing, and scheduling for primary, general, and special elections.
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Chapter 6: The Politics of Interest Groups
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70 Verified Questions
70 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The details of political contributions and expenditures of candidates must be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission
A) between two and seven times each year.
B) every seven years.
C) between four and seven times each biennium.
D) only once during the campaign process.
Q2) Distinguish between an "economic" interest group and a "business" interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "labor" groups more closely resemble?
Q3) Ethnic minorities have found that their most successful political strategy has been to
A) dominate one of the major political parties.
B) organize into political interest groups.
C) elect their members to statewide public office.
D) seek amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Q4) Common Cause of Texas is an example of A) a public interest group.
B) a trade association.
C) a trade union.
D) an umbrella organization.
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Chapter 7: The Legislature
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84 Verified Questions
84 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The State Auditor of Texas is appointed by the A) Comptroller of Public Accounts.
B) Legislative Audit Committee.
C) Legislative Budget Board.
D) State Treasurer.
Q2) Which of the following statements is true regarding the Texas legislature?
A) It does not recognize the party affiliation of its members.
B) It has no party organization-not even informal caucuses.
C) It is dominated by the Democratic Party, with no Republican influence.
D) It has Democratic and Republican caucuses that are increasingly important.
Q3) Before making an appointment, the governor is expected to consult with the senator of an affected district, a process called senatorial
A) filibuster.
B) privilege.
C) immunity.
D) courtesy.
Q4) Describe the structure of the bicameral Texas legislature. Identify the number of seats for each chamber and explain how and when re-districting occurs.
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Chapter 8: The Executive
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75 Verified Questions
75 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) An officeholder who lacks qualifications for office may be removed through a procedure known as
A) recall.
B) quo vadis.
C) impeachment.
D) quo warranto.
Q2) The term "plural executive" refers to the fact that in Texas
A) there are two state budgets prepared.
B) the governor appoints most all executive officers.
C) most top executive officials are elected.
D) the governor must share power with the lieutenant governor.
Q3) In political terms, the principal function of the governor's staff is to
A) raise election campaign funds.
B) protect their boss from adverse situations.
C) discourage opponents in future elections.
D) ensure high standings in the polls.
Q4) Identify and discuss the various roles and functions of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Q5) Identify and describe the role of those entities responsible for education policy and oversight in Texas.
10
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Chapter 9: Public Policy and Administration
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Sample Questions
Q1) The ability of the Public Utilities Commission to regulate communication in Texas is somewhat limited by the
A) Texas Constitution.
B) pressures of the market.
C) policies of the national government.
D) office of the Texas governor.
Q2) Explain the services provided by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Describe the qualifications necessary to qualify for aid under these programs.
Q3) Explain the difference between the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Explain why Texas provides relatively low levels of healthcare for those with lower incomes.
Q4) Describe the terms deregulation, accountability, devolution, and judicial oversight in the context of the state administration of public programs?
Q5) The largest single employer in Texas is
A) the federal government.
B) the state of Texas.
C) Texas Instruments.
D) Dell Computers.
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Chapter 10: Laws, Courts, and Justice
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78 Verified Questions
78 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A court that has specific authority to decide a particular type of case has
A) concurrent jurisdiction.
B) exclusive jurisdiction.
C) civil jurisdiction.
D) original jurisdiction.
Q2) A citizen who believes an attorney has behaved unethically while representing him or her should file a complaint with the
A) district attorney in his or her county.
B) Attorney General of Texas.
C) Commission on Judicial Conduct.
D) Texas Supreme Court.
Q3) Grand juries in Texas are composed of __________ members.
A) six
B) twelve
C) both six and twelve
D) forty
Q4) Defend your position on the following two issues: should all judges be attorneys and should judges be elected or appointed?
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Chapter 11: Finance and Fiscal Policy
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74 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The most significant, revenue producing, tax in Texas is the
A) general sales tax.
B) selective sales tax.
C) business franchise tax.
D) gross receipts tax.
Q2) Why do governments borrow money? In particular, describe the debt process in Texas, tracing its historic growth. Defend and criticize the various objects of public borrowing in Texas.
Q3) Texas is said to have a regressive system of taxation. Explain the difference between progressive and regressive revenues. Give an example of each and explain their impact on different segments of society.
Q4) Which of the following programs allows parents to lock in the cost of future tuition and fees at a state university or college?
A) Teach for Texas Fund
B) Texas Tomorrow Fund
C) Available University Fund
D) Texas Grant towards Excellence Fund
Q5) What is the purpose of the Economic Stabilization Fund in Texas? Describe how it was created and is utilized.
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