Ch5 - Interest Groups in TX Politics Flashcards
Interest groups
collections of individuals who share a common set of ideas or principles and who attempt to advance those ideas or principles by influencing public-policy makers
Lobbying
The process of working to influence the actions of the government through interaction with the legislative, executive and judicial branches
What is the difference between interest groups and other organizations?
Interest groups are organized and funded efforts with the specific purpose of political influence
Differences between Interest Groups and Political Parties
Interest Groups are…
1. Narrower in focus
2. Advocate for gov policies
3. Take positions on a limited range of issues
4. Stopping laws and regulations> make the government to do something.
Pros of Interest Groups
They speak for voters on a variety of issues and help call attention to the needs of various groups
Cons of Interest Groups
Interest groups with more sources have more advantage
What is the simple way to divide interest groups
Whether or not their members seek personal economic gain from the membership
Economic Interest groups
groups whose main purpose is to bring economic benefit to their members
Examples of economic groups
Employee organizations (public and private
Business IGs
Labor IGs
Ethic, gender, and age-based
Public interest groups
Lobby for issues that don’t bring direct economic benefit to their members
Examples of pubic interest groups
Animal rights groups
Environmental groups
Single-issue groups
IGs, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), that devote their energies to pursuing a single, narrowly defined political goal.
Many public IGs are single-issue groups
How often does Texas legislature meets?
140 days every other year
How IGs achieve their goals?
- Lobbying
- Campaign contributions
- Litigation
Lobbyists
People who work on behalf of an IG & who serve as point of contact between the group and policy makers
What is the most important asset of a lobbyist?
Information
What are methods of a lobbyist?
- Personal contact with an individual legislator
- Target executive leaders
- Appear at public hearing of various boards
- Target legislative aide
What is the job of a lobbyist?
To make the job of a legislator easier
Limitations on lobbyists
Few and difficult to enforce.
Register with the state if involved in direct communication with the legislative or executive branch
- Applies only to people who receive >1K/quarter for their activities or spend >500/quarter to provide food for officials
Detailed reporting of expenditures only must be disclosed if a lobbyist spends >114 per recipient
Interim Oversight
Various actions by an IG aimed at protecting its gains and promoting its goals between sessions of legislature
Becoming a Lobbyist
- Become a legislator
- Serve on a legislator’s staff
- Become an attorney
Hired guns
Professional outside lobbyists employed by an interest group to represent its interests on a particular issue. The relationship lasts until the issue is settled.
Litigation
Especially valuable to civil rights groups
Last resort in the past
Many IGs today keep a team of attorneys on hand, willing to litigate matters early.
Membership mobilization
The act of enlisting the rank-and-file members of an IG in attempting to sway policy makers; often includes massive letter-writing and email efforts and may also include marches and demonstrations.
What are the two key assets an interest groups provides to candidates?
- Information
- Campaign contributions
Can interest groups make campaign contributions during session?
No
Political Action Committee (PAC)
a voluntary association of individuals who band together for the purpose of raising and distributing money for political campaigns
Do PACs have limits on campaign contributions?
No
Can businesses, labor unions and other organizations make direct contributions to candidates?
No, so they form PACs
Access
the ability of an interest group to contact policy makers in an attempt to enlist their help; is crucial for w/o it the Interest group’s info is useless
What is an Iron Triangle?
The coalition formed among IGs, the legislature, and gov departments that accounts for the creation of public policy in Texas.
Each group gives something to another groups and expects the return of the favor.
