Ch.12

Question 1

Interest group (Lobby Group / Pressure Group)

Answer 1

an organization that seeks to achieve common goals by influencing government decision making

Question 2

Political Action committees (PACs)

Answer 2

organizations that collect and distribute money to candidates

Question 3

527 Group

Answer 3

Tax-exempt group organized under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code to raise money for political activities (influencing policy or issues)

Question 4

How are interest groups activities protected?

Answer 4

By the First Amendment, it protects their right to peacefully assemble and to petition the government.

Question 5

Who was often called the “father of the Constitution”?

Answer 5

James Madison

Question 6

What kind of issues do temporary interest groups usually rally behind?

Answer 6

Property tax reform, insurance reform, and amendments to state constitutions

Question 7

What are Membership organizations?

Answer 7

Private groups whose members are individual citizens or businesses

Question 8

What are Non membership organizations?

Answer 8

They represent individuals, single corporations, businesses, law firms, or freelance lobbies; their membership is not open to the general public

Question 9

What are Government organizations? (Local / State Interest groups)

Answer 9

They represent local government as well as state and federal agencies. Memberships ranges from local elected officials to government employees

Question 10

What is a peak business association? (Membership Org)

Answer 10

An interest group devoted to statewide business interests. EX: Chamber of Commerce. Mostly active at state level and are well financed

Question 11

What do Trade associations do?

Answer 11

Represent specific business interest sectors

Question 12

What are Retail trade associations?

Answer 12

A type of trade group that protects their trades from state regulation and support policies that affect them favorably.

Question 13

What are Professional associations?

Answer 13

Trade organization that represents members who hold a professional license issued by the state and the state regulates their practice

Question 14

What was the “No-pass / no-play” law? and Which interest group opposed it?

Answer 14

It required students to pass their classes or be barred from playing in sport or other extracurricular events. The THSCA (Texas High School Coaches Association) formed a PAC to combat this rule.
It passed anyway.

Question 15

What is Collective Bargaining?

Answer 15

Process of negotiation “between an employer and a group of employees so as to determine the condition of employment
(Not a right in Texas)

Question 16

How many wage and salaried employees belong to unions in Texas?

Answer 16

Only 3.8% in Texas

Question 17

Where do strong anti-union beliefs come from in Texas?

Answer 17

It is a part of the traditionalistic / individualistic political culture in Texas

Question 18

What are right to work laws?

Answer 18

Laws that prohibit a person being denied employment because of membership or non-membership in a labor union or other labor organization (Texas one of 27 states with this law)

Question 19

What issues have motivated Hispanic Catholics to get more involved with state politics?

Answer 19

Economic advancement, local services, and abortion

Question 20

What is the goal of Government organizations?

Answer 20

To protect local government interest from actions of the state legislature, the governor, and state agencies

Question 21

What is Lobbying?

Answer 21

Direct communications with members of the legislative or executive branch of state government to influence legislation or administrative action