Chapter 6

Question 1

It is often claimed that ________-oriented interest groups, or “The Lobby,” dominate the Texas legislature.

Answer 1

business

Question 2

Texas is known as a state that has long had powerful interest groups, mostly representing the business sector.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Policy makers and elected officials benefit from developing relationships with lobbyists for all of the following reasons

Answer 3

They gain information and expertise in areas of special concern to the group.

Interest groups often donate campaign funds.

Lobbyists provide volunteers and publicity for campaigns.

Question 4

Lobbyists are individuals who

Answer 4

are employed by interest groups to try to influence government policies.

Question 5

Texas lawmakers receive only $600 a month, plus an additional $150 a day when on legislative business, but they

Answer 5

are permitted to use campaign contributions from interest groups for expenses associated with holding office.

Question 6

In 2010, how many registered lobbyists in Texas were former legislators?

Answer 6

65

Question 7

Because gaining access to legislators imposes on their time, lobbyists have responded primarily by

Answer 7

providing entertainment (e.g., dinners, golfing, etc.) for elected officials.

Question 8

Because getting access to legislators and government officials is difficult, interest groups often hire

Answer 8

former legislators and government officials, who can use their friendships and personal connections to gain access.

Question 9

Interest groups form to

Answer 9

influence government to adopt policies favored by the group’s membership.

Question 10

Interest groups participate in the political process by engaging in all of the following activities

Answer 10

mobilizing voters.

providing campaign funds.

offering research and education programs.

Question 11

Interest groups have certain advantages over private citizens, including

Answer 11

expertise.

Question 12

____________ are considered to be the strongest and most influential interest groups in Texas.

Answer 12

Business and corporate interests

Question 13

The Texas Medical Association is an example of a ____________ interest group.

Answer 13

professional

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a civil rights group?

Answer 14

League of United Latin American Citizens.

Question 15

Common Cause is an example of a ___________ interest group.

Answer 15

public

Question 16

Which of the following PACs spend the least amount of money on lobbying and campaigns in Texas?

Answer 16

labor

Question 17

Campaign contributions come primarily from ____________ interest groups.

Answer 17

business or corporate

Question 18

A _______________ is formed by an interest group to donate campaign funds to political candidates.

Answer 18

political action committee

Question 19

Laws in Texas dealing with lobbying by former government officials are described by the authors of the textbook as ____________

Answer 19

weak.

Question 20

Sam Rayburn served in the Texas House for six years of his long political career. He was concerned with corruption and refused to accept free meals and entertainment from lobbyists. He referred to his fellow legislators who would accept such gifts from lobbyists as

Answer 20

“steak men.”

Question 21

The Grange was an early interest group that exerted influence over the Constitution of 1876 and focused on the concerns of

Answer 21

farmers.

Question 22

Interest groups attempt to influence policy makers through a technique known as ___________, during which a given group’s representatives meet with legislators to present their demands, to entertain the legislators, and to demonstrate grassroots support for the group’s policies.

Answer 22

lobbying

Question 23

According to the authors of the textbook, when an interest group supports the losing candidate in an election, that interest group

Answer 23

will often make a substantial contribution to the winning candidate whom it formerly opposed.

Question 24

In 2008, what percentage of the money given to Republican and Democratic legislative candidates came from PACs?

Answer 24

55 percent