TX Gov. Exam 2 Flashcards
Bi-cameral:
2 Chamber legislature
Impeachment:
Accusing a public official of a wrong-doing that deserves removal from office
Legislative Turnover:
The replacement of a legislator from one session to the next
Standing Committee:
A permanent committee established to handle legislation for a specific topic
Interim Committee:
Is a committee that looks at a specific policy issue in between legislative sessions
Select Committees:
Are committees established for a limited period of time to address a specific problem
Conference Committee:
Negotiates on similar bills passed by the house and senate to create one bill
Seniority:
The length of continuous service on a committee
The Legislative Budget Board (LBB):
Studies state revenue between sessions and comes up with a budget
The Legislative Redistricting (LBR):
Draws Tx House and senate districts when the legislature cannot agree on a map.
Lobbing:
Direct communication of an interest group representative with a government official.
Constituency:
Is the group of individuals that an elected official is supposed to represent.
The Power of the veto:
A veto is when the governor refuses to approve a bill passed by the legislature.
Senatorial Curtesy:
Is a custom that allows a senator to reject an appointee from their district and other senators will agree to vote against that appointee.
Reprieve:
A past penmen of punishment.
Pardon:
To end a punishment.
Budget Executive Authority:
It’s the power to cut agency spending or move money between agencies when the legislative’s not in spending.
Plural Executive:
When executive powers are divided because most members of the executive branch are elected.
Has Executive Order:
A directive issued by the governor to an administrative agency.
Criminal Cases:
Deals with the violation of laws.
Prosecutor:
Is an attorney who trials an defendant of behalf of the government.
The Defendant:
The person charged with a criminal defense.
Burden of Proof:
The legal obligation of one party to prove its point in court.
Misdemeanors:
A relatively minor criminal offense.
Felony:
A serious criminal offense.
Civil Cases:
Legal dispute between two private parties.
Plantiff:
The person who brings the lawsuit.
Plea Bargain:
Is when an offendent pleads guilty to receive a lesser punishment.
Trial Court:
When you have the formal examination of a case to determine the facts.
Appellate Court:
Handles cases when the loosing party in a lower court decision challenges the ruling.
Majority Opinion:
Is the official written statement of a court that explains and justifies its ruling.
Dissenting Opinion:
Is a written judicial statement that disagrees with the majority opinion.
Marked Up:
When legislatures revise, amend, or rewrite a bill.
Filibuster:
A strategy in the senate to try and kill a bill with unlimited debate.
The 2/3rd Rule:
In the Texas senate, it requires a 2/3rd vote to bring a bill to the floor.
The Veto:
When the governor formally rejects a bill.
A line item veto:
The power to strike down part of a bill.
Appropriation Bill:
It’s an authorization of the government, to spend money.
Sunset Review:
The periodic evaluation of a state agency by the legislature to see if it should continue.
