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Texas and Local Government > Chapter 7 > Flashcards

Chapter 7 Flashcards

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1
Q

Reappointment

A

The redrawing of district and precinct lines following the national census to reflect population

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2
Q

How are all Texas legislators elected>

A

Single-member districts

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3
Q

The Texas legislator is made up of how many members?

A

181

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4
Q

Texas is divided into how many state senatorial districts?

A

31

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5
Q

Who is assigned to act on if the Texas legislature fails to redistrict?

A

Legislative Redistricting Board

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6
Q

What are the members of the Legislative Redistricting Board made up of?

A

ex-oficios

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7
Q

What individual is not a member of the Legislative Redistricting Board?

A

Secretary of State

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8
Q

By 2011, what was the average population on an electoral district for the Texas House of Representatives?

A

171,165

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9
Q

In 2011, what was the average population of an electoral district for the Texas Senate?

A

828,216

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10
Q

What percentage can legislative districts deviate from the mean to be drawn?

A

5

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11
Q

Why was gerrymandering coined in 1812?

A

It is used to protect a first-time candidate

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12
Q

Gerrymandering is most commonly used to protect which legislative incumbents?

A

Legislators who support the agenda of powerful special interests

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13
Q

What does “pairing” involve?

A

Placing two incumbent officeholders in the same elective district through redistricting

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14
Q

What is not a common method used in gerrymandering?

A

Parity

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15
Q

Gerrymandering is used to protect what kind of incumbent?

A

The “right kind”

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16
Q

What is an incorrect statement about gerrymandering?

A

Only the Democratic Party has been charged with gerrymandering in Texas

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17
Q

During the winter of 2012, what percentage of Texans supported the creation of an independent redistricting commission to redraw district lines?

A

42%

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18
Q

What is not a formal qualification to become a state senator in Texas?

A

Having lived in the state or five years, as well as five years in the district in which he or she seeks election

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19
Q

What is not a formal qualification to become a member of the Texas House of Representatives?

A

Having lived in Texas five years prior to being elected

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20
Q

What is an incorrect statement about the informal qualifications that could help an individual get elected to the legislature?

A

Individuals under the age of 40 years of age have an advantage

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21
Q

Descriptive Representation

A

When the people in legislative districts elect representatives that “look like” the people they represent

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22
Q

What is an incorrect statement about Texas’s population?

A

Texas is the only state with a majority minority

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23
Q

Currently, what percentage of the Texas population are Asian American?

A

4%

24
Q

What is a correct statement about the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Hispanic levels of representation in both the House and Senate?

A

As the state’s Hispanic population has grown, the share of House and Senate seats held by Hispanics increased

25
Q

Which group is the most underrepresented in the Texas Legislature?

A

Women

26
Q

How many people and of what nationality were serving in the 83rd Texas Legislative session?

A

Two Asian Americans

27
Q

What percentage of the Texas House were Latino during the 83rd Legislative session?

A

20%

28
Q

What percentage of the representatives in the Texas House were women during the 83rd Legislative session?

A

24%

29
Q

What percentage of senators are non hispanic?

A

74%

30
Q

Which group is underrepresented in the legislature relative to their percentages in the general population?

A

Hispanic, Females and Asians

31
Q

What is a true statement about females in the Texas House of Representatives?

A

Women have a higher percentage of representation in the House rather than in the Senate

32
Q

Which profession is the most frequent represented in the US legislature?

A

Law

33
Q

Where does the Texas legislature rain in the percentage of lawmakers with a college degree?

A

5th

34
Q

What is the primary qualification for winning legislative office?

A

Access to money

35
Q

On average, how much money does one have to raise to win a seat in the Texas Legislature?

A

$656,908

36
Q

What are the terms for office for members of the legislature?

A

Texas senators are elected for four year staggered terms; representatives are elected for two year terms

37
Q

What has been the response whenever the legislature considers increasing appropriations to hire competent staff for individual legislators?

A

Both the general public and special interests voice strong opposition

38
Q

What do legally mandated term limits reflect?

A

The frustration of voters toward government officials controlled by special interest

39
Q

What is a legislators annual salary?

A

$7,200 plus $150 per day for expenses for both regular and special sessions

40
Q

How is a salary increase for legislators and the lieutenant governor is determined?

A

Texas Ethics Commission and the voters

41
Q

What is not an argument against having short term biennial sessions in Texas?

A

Texans believe that the legislature does more good than harm, therefore, a longer session is better

42
Q

What is a correct statement about Texas’s legislators?

A

Texas legislators meet for 140 days every other year

43
Q

Who did the Texas House unanimously honor for his “noted activities and unconventional techniques involving population control and applied psychology”?

A

Albert De Salvo

44
Q

What is an incorrect statement about the lieutenant governor?

A

The lieutenant governor is elected in a statewide, nonpartisan election

45
Q

Who does the Texas Constitution require the Speaker of the House to be selected by?

A

The majority of the membership of the House

46
Q

What is a “RINO”?

A

A Republican thought to be not conservative enough

47
Q

What is an advantage for a House member to support the winning speaker candidate?

A

Legislative bribery

48
Q

With what do the candidates for speaker are required to file a complete statement of loans, campaign contributions, and expenditures?

A

Secretary of state

49
Q

What are subcommittees divisions of?

A

Standing committees

50
Q

Which committee acts as screening mechanisms to filter out bad bills or bills that little or no political support?

A

Standing

51
Q

What are divisions of standing committees?

A

Subcommittees

52
Q

Which committee is not an ad hoc committee?

A

Standing committee

53
Q

What provides bill analysis, floor reports, issue focus reports, and interim news to legislators and the public?

A

House Research Organization

54
Q

The “one person, one vote” principle for state legislatures was established in which of the following cases?

A

Reynolds v Sims

55
Q

According to Benjamin Disraeli how are politics defined?

A

The pursuit and exercise of power

56
Q

How often does the US attempt to count every person in the country?

A

Every 10 years

Texas and Local Government (12 decks)

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