Study Flashcards
1
Q
2001; national education standards for schools in all states passed by Bush
A
No Child Left Behind
2
Q
fraction of state revenue from federal grants
A
1/3
3
Q
hostility to government activity, especially in the economic sphere, and a complementary faith in the judgment of businesspeople
A
Conservative
4
Q
In which of the following areas would Texas have the least influence?
A
Controlling its border with Mexico
5
Q
Which of the following groups has not changed appreciably, as a percent of the Texas population, since 1980?
A
African American
6
Q
give legitimacy, organize government, grant specific powers, limit government powers
A
Constitution Purpose
7
Q
date of ratification of the 6th texas constitution (6th)
A
1876
8
Q
statehood constitution; based on Jacksonianism
A
Constitution of 1845
9
Q
Farmer org; white supremacy; influenced current constitution of 1876
A
Grange
10
Q
presides over Texas senate; elected by people
A
Lieutenant Gov
11
Q
collects state’s taxes and determines whether enough revenue exists to fund state budget; keeps state money; elected by people
A
Comptroller of public accounts
12
Q
state lawyer; elected by people
A
Attorney General
13
Q
protects state environment and administers public lands; elected by people
A
Commissioner of General land office
14
Q
regulate intrastate transportation and oil/gas industry; elected by people
A
Texas Railroad Commission
15
Q
counties, municipalities, special districts
A
Local Governments
16
Q
most restricted; administrative and judicial; commission form of government that combined executive and legislative authority and is headed by a judge; fragmented
A
Counties
17
Q
allows a city to write its own charter and make changes in it without legislative approval; population over 5,000
A
Home rule
18
Q
cities must operate under statewide statutes
A
General-law
19
Q
limited-purpose local governments that have taxing authority; e.g. school districts
A
Special Districts
20
Q
location of initiation for amendment proposal (regular or special session)
A
Legislature
21
Q
majority of House/Senate (100/21) required to submit proposed constitutional amendments to voters
A
2/3
22
Q
majority of citizens needed for ratification of constitutional amendments
A
Simple Majority
23
Q
Which of the following is not a purpose of the U.S. constitution?
A
Establish local units of gov
24
Q
Which of the following Texas Constitutions established the Republic of Texas, where Texas was a free, sovereign, and independent nation?
A
1845
25
Short terms of office for public officials.
An expansion of individual participation in government.
The spoils system of appointing the victor's supporters to office.
Long ballots with most offices up for popular vote.
Jacksonian Democracy
26
Which Texas government agency was created in 1991 and given the power of recommending legislative salaries
Ethics Commission
27
1903; forbid corporations to contribute money directly to candidates for public office
Terrell Election Law
28
- every candidate and political committee must appoint treasurer before accepting contributions or expenditures
- contributions >500 out-of-state permitted onlu if names are disclosed
- detailed financial reports required including all contributions and expenditures over 50
- violators face civil/criminal penalties
no enforcement and no limit
Texas Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1973
29
created ethics commission that could hold hearings on public complaints, levy fines, and report violations to Austin distric attorney; no limits on campaign contributions; required super majority for actions
1991 Texas Ethics Law
30
percentage cut off for primary election requirement (smaller can choose by nominating convention)
20%
31
held within a party to nominate candidates for general election or choose presidential nominating convention delegates
Primary Election
32
choose state and national executives and legislators; even-numbered years on tuesday after first monday in november
General Election
33
Fill Vacancies; Nonpartisan
Special Elections
34
- November general elctions in even-numbered yrs
- election form single-memeber districts
- 2-yr term for house and 4-yr term for senators
- special elections called by governor fill vacancies
Electing Legislators
35
biennial; 140 calendar days
Regular Session
36
called by governor; max 30 days; governor determines schedule
Special Sessions
37
if legislature fails ot redistrict itself, lieutenant governor/speaker of house/comptroller of public accounts/general land commissioner/attorney general redictrict for them
Legislative Redistricting Board
38
One Person One Vote
Baker v. Carr
39
one-person one-vote applied to US House districts
Wesberry v. Sanders
40
one-person one-vote applied to state legislative districts
Reynolds v. Sims
41
how old member so the TX senate must be; residents for 5
26
42
how old members of the TX house but be; residents for 2, 1 in district
21
43
which house has unlimited debate
Senate
44
number of days governor has to dispose of acts
10
45
days until bill becomes law without governor signature if legislature is in session, not insession
1,020
46
vote of both houses required to override governor veto
2/3
47
governor can remove sections of appropriations bills
Item Veto
48
term of governors
4 yr
49
majority vote here impeaces executive
House
50
location of impeachment trial
Senate
51
vote of senate needed to convict executive with impeachment
2/3
51
governor must be at least __ yrs old and lived in TX __ yrs prior to election
30yrs; 5 yrs
52
established procedure for reviewing existence of all statutory boards, commissions, and departments except colleges/universities
Sunset Act
53
requires governmental bodies ot certify that discussions held in executive sessions were legal or to tape-record closed meetings
Open Meetings Act
54
autorhized by state constitution/laws to handle minor criminal matters <500 with no possibility of imprisonment; no civil jurisdiction; mainly traffic law violations; no recors=ds of trials
Municipal Courts
55
judges don't have to be lawyers; elected for four yr terms
County Courts
55
original trial courts; deal with cases where potential punishment is only a fine; civil cases of <200 and concurrent jurisdiction for <5,000; justices of the peace
Justice Courts
55
no juries; only written records and arguments of lower court proceedings; decisions by majority; six yr terms
Appelate Courts
56
How senators are in the Texas Senate?
31
56
True or False: The Texas Legislative Branch is the least weak of the three branches
True
57
How many representatives are in the Texas House of Rep. ?
150
58
Proposed two chambers for legislative branch: one with the number of representatives based on state population and the other with fixed number of senators per state.
Different for Texas legislature: Senate represents larger districts and more broad concerns for state (have longer terms than House of Rep. reps). Representatives in the House have shorter terms and represent smaller districts. They are more in tune with the ever changing needs of the people.
Connecticut Compromised
59
What happens to a bill at the end of the regular sessions if it hasn't been passed or denied?
It dies
60
How often does the Texas Legislature hold its regular session?
Convenes its regular sessions at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years (biennial). maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days.
61
True or False: Texas legislatures are elected in single-member districts and districts are redrawn ever 10 years
True
62
What are special sessions
Special sessions are legislative sessions that the governor can call for after the regular session is over. He can call for as many as he or she wants and the governor dictates the content of the session. Limited to 30 days
63
Who is given the position of President of the Senate?
The Lieutenant Governor is given this position by the Texas Constitution. The Lt. Gov. is an elected via a statewide election.
64
True or False: The Lieutenant Governor is given this position by the Texas Constitution. The Lt. Gov. is an elected via a statewide election.
False, up until a Supreme Court decision in 1972, House reps where elected in multi-member districts
65
How long are the terms of office for legislative positions?
The house have elections every two years where all seats are up for grabs
The senate has elections every two years where only half the members are up for re-election. Which half is up for election is rotated every two years. Each term is four years long. This staggering restarted after re-redistricting. Senators draw straws for who gets a four-year or two-year term.
65
Requirements to run for the Texas House of Reps.
- must be at least 21
- legal resident of the state for the past two years
- resident of their district for at least one year
- US citizen
66
Requirements to run for the Texas Senate
- must be at least 26
- legal resident of the state for the past 5 years
- resident of their district for at least one year
- US citizen
67
private interest group
groups that seek to influence public policy for the specific and often exclusive benefit of their members or people with similar interests
68
public interest group
groups that seek influence public policy for the benefit of the general population
68
in-house lobbyist
employed directly by the interest groups themselves (e.g. Vice President of Legislative Affairs)
69
Contract Lobbyist
independent professionals who are hired to represent an interest group for a fixed period of time. Often represent multiple interest groups at the same time
70
public advocacy firm lobbyist
hybrid of the other two types. work for law firms or public advocacy firms that businesses and interest groups can hire.
71
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An entity other than a political party that raises and sends money to elect or defeat candidates. PACs are regulated under both federal and state law.
72
Interest Group scorecards
Interest groups create scorecards ranking how well candidates align with there interests
73
Bracket Bills
legislation or proposed legislation intended to benefit a relatively narrow class of beneficiaries without directly naming them.
74
a legislative resolution
a formal statement of opinion or a specific decision. can be issue by either chamber
75
joint resolution
the mechanism used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution. passed by both chambers of the legislature
76
Three types of resolutions
simple resolution
joint resolution
concurrent resolution (a formal statement of opinion but does not carry the force of law)
77
Legislature Administrative Power
Ratify gubernatorial appointments
Create, abolish and redefine state agencies
Require report and special reporting from state agencies
Approve state agency budgets
78
Ratify gubernatorial appointments
The appointments made by the governor must have two-thirds approval vote in the senate
79
Name the three types of bills that can be introduced in the legislature
General, Special and Local
80
Who impeaches and who tries the case?
The house impeaches and the senate tries the case
81
Gerrymandering
the manipulation of political boundaries and/or electoral constituencies to favor one party over another
82
Senatorial Standing Committees
chair and members are appointed by the lieutenant governor
deal with public policy
83
Senatorial Special Committees
essentially subcommittees of permanent committees
created to study important issues
84
House Substantive Committee
similar to senatorial Standing Committees; deal with issues of public policy
85
House Procedural Committees
dedicated to regulating the functioning and operations of the house itself
Example: Calendar Committee - decides when bills are heard on the floor
86
Conference Committee
include members of both chambers and are formed to resolve differences in bills that passed by each house that deal with same issue. Consists of five members from both chambers.
87
Interim Committee
formed to consider bills when the legislature is not in session
- can be formed to study a particular issue that arose at the end of the previous session
88
Ad Hoc Committees
used to study specific issues, problems or questions
89
Line-item Veto
used to study specific issues, problems or questions
90
True or False: The legislature can override the governor's veto with a 2/3 vote in both chambers
True
91
Committees in the House and Senate that deal with taxes and appropriations
House:
Ways and Means Committee
Appropriations Committee
Senate:
Finance Committee
Business and Commerce Committee
92
State Affairs Committee
Prestigious committee that deals with operation of the state government
93
How long is the waiting period that members must wait in before acting on legislation
60 days
94
- four year terms
- appoints members to committees
- assigns bills to committees
- the tie breaker
- chair the legislative budget board and Legislative council
- vice-chair of Leg. Audit committee and Education board
- member of the LRB
Lieutenant Governer
95
- opinions on public policy has the force of law
- "the state's lawyer"
- generally doesn't work on criminal cases; mainly advises when asked
Attorney General
96
- in charge of tax collection, accounting, estimating revenue for the state, and acts as custodian of state funds and investments
Comptroller of Public Accounts
97
- in charge of voter registration
- keeping records of all debt and Uniform Commercial Code fillings
- appointed by the governor and approved by the senate
Texas Secretary of State
98
- oversees rates and enforces rules and laws related to electricity and telecommunications
Public Utilities Commission
99
March 2nd - marks the day in 1836 when Texas declared its independence from Mexico during the Texas Revolution.
Texas Independence Day
100
March 6, 1836. Texans were greatly outnumbered and many were killed by the Mexicans. However, Texans were then inspired to seek revenge.
Battle of the Alamo
101
Year Mexico gains independence from Spain
1821
102
Texas wins its independence from Mexico
1836
103
Texas annexed to the US
1845
104
Old Spanish mission that is best remembered for the battle fought there for Texas' independence
The Alamo
105
Mexican dictator who was in charge when war broke out between the Mexicans and Americans. He lost Texas to rebels, and was the leader of the armed forces during the war
Santa Anna
106
Commander of the defenders of the Alamo who was only 26 years old. He was determined to hold his position and managed to send messages through Mexican lines asking for assistance, but none came. He was killed in the Battle of the Alamo, and he was important because his death made Texans fight harder for their independence.
William Travis
107
An American killed while fighting at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas War for Independence; he has a knife named after him. He had pneumonia during the battle.
Jim Bowie
108
Words on the white flag at the battle in Gonzales
Come and Take it
109
First battle of the Texas Revolution October 2, 1835. Citizens of Gonzales would not give up a cannon that was given to them by the Mex. A militia led by J.H. Moore flew a flag over it that said "Come and Take It". Mex led 100 men to Gonzales to take the cannon. The militia fired the cannon on October 2 at the Mexican soldiers, a battle began, and so did the Texas Revolution.
Battle in Gonzales
110
First battle of the Texas Revolution October 2, 1835. Citizens of Gonzales would not give up a cannon that was given to them by the Mex. A militia led by J.H. Moore flew a flag over it that said "Come and Take It". Mex led 100 men to Gonzales to take the cannon. The militia fired the cannon on October 2 at the Mexican soldiers, a battle began, and so did the Texas Revolution.
Battle of Goliad
111
April 21, 1836. Sam Houston led Texas forces. Santa Anna led Mexican forces. Houston burned every way out of San Jacinto and attacked Mex at about 3:00 p.m. The battle lasted 18 minutes
Santa Anna was captured the next day and surrendered to Sam Houston
Battle of San Jacinto
112
United States frontiersman and Tennessee politician who died at the siege of the Alamo
Davy Crockett
113
Known as "The Father of Texas." He led a project to settle Americans in Texas (controlled by Mexico) in the 1820s. He originally brought 300 hard-working families.
Stephen F. Austin
114
There were 189 who fought at the Alamo, all but one died.
Defenders of the Alamo
115
Established a government in which state governments had most of the power and therefore provided for more local control of issues important to settlers. Most Texas settlers supported this constitution.
Constitution of 1824
116
Founded when Texas was still a part of Mexico, and the settlement became the site of the Convention of 1836 and the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Washington-on-the-Bravos
116
This person was appointed by the delegates who drafted the Texas declaration of independence at Washington on the Brazos to serve as the first interim president of Texas (served March to October 1836)
David Burnett, appointed president
117
An adventure seeker who often cause rebellion in a foreign country.
Filibuster
118
A Mexican who supported Texas independence from Mexico. He was appointed by the delegates who drafted the Texas declaration of independence at Washington on the Brazos to serve as the first interim vice-president of Texas (served March to October 1836).
Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice President
119
Believed Texas belonged to the U.S. Captured Nacogdoches and declared Texas free before being caught and executed by the Spanish
James Long
120
Catholic priest who started the Mexican revolution with his famous speech Grito de Dolores. Executed by Spanish.
Father Hidalgo
120
Believed Texas belonged to the U.S. Captured Nacogdoches and declared Texas free before being caught and executed by the Spanish
Gutierrez and Magee
121
Mother of Texas, one of the "Old 300"
Jane Long
122
Agreement at the end of the Texas War for Independence between Texas and Mexico (signed by Santa Anna). Acknowledged Texas' independence, set the boundary between the 2 countries at the Rio Grande River, promised Mexico would remove all forces from Texas and give Texas full diplomatic recognition.
Treaties of Velasco
123
Served as first President of the Republic of Texas. Elected by huge majority because of his popularity following his defeat of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. His priorities were securing diplomatic recognition of Texas by foreign powers, dealing with the debt, bringing more immigrants to Texas, building a national defense (navy, local militias and Texas Rangers), avoiding confrontation with the Indians and supporting possibility of Texas' annexation by US. The new Constitution of the Republic limited his first term to 2 years and he could not immediately run again for another term.
President Sam Houston, 1836-1838
124
Served as second President of the Republic of Texas. Opposed annexation of Texas by US, spent a lot of money, did not get along with the Indians, responsible for the failed Santa Fe Expedition, but did set aside public lands for schools and colleges in Texas.
President Mirabeau Lamar, 1838-1841
125
Last president of the Republic of Texas
President Anson Jones, 1844-1845
125
Served a second term as President of the Republic of Texas. Helped negotiate the annexation of Texas to US.
President Sam Houston, 1841-1844
126
President Sam Houston and President Mirabeau Lamar held different positions on this issue. Houston wanted cooperation and Lamar wanted confrontation
Archive "war"
127
President Sam Houston and President Mirabeau Lamar held different positions on this issue. Houston wanted cooperation and Lamar wanted confrontation
Differing Indian Policies
128
Carried out by President Mirabeau Lamar without consent of Texas congress. Lamar thought people in New Mexico would want to join Texas but the Texan troops were not received well and they were embarrassingly kicked out of New Mexico. Lots of money wasted
Santa Fe Expedition
129
Mexican troops were invading into Texas in 1842, so President Houston sent a volunteer expedition of about 750 to patrol the Rio Grande (to keep Mexicans out). Some of the volunteers decided to advance into Mexico. They were captured in a small Mexican town and 260 men were captured and marched to Mexico City were they were forced to draw black and white beans from a pot to determine who would be shot.
Mier Expedition
130
James Polk elected president of the US in Nov. 1844 and he supported expansion of the US. Zachary Taylor as the outgoing president proposed annexation of Texas because it would help neutralize British influence in the middle of the continent. Also helped Texas because they were able to get military security and help with their debt. This annexation angered Mexico
Statehood 1845
130
Texas is the __ th state to be annexed
28th
131
Current Governor of Texas
James Pinckney Henderson February 19, 1846
132
First Governor of Texas
James Pinckney Henderson February 19, 1846
133
True or False: Texas entered the US by territorial annexation
False: Texas entered via treaty and is the only state to have done so
134
How many nations have flown their flags over Texas, and which nations were they?
6: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.
