Vocab Flashcards
Lobbying
Directly contacting public officials to advocate for public policy
Implementation
Administrative agencies carrying out broad public policies, enforcing state laws, providing public services, and managing day-to-day government
Discretion
Wide latitudes to make decisions within the broad requirements set out in the law
Clientele groups
The groups most affected by a government agency regulations and programs; frequently these interest groups form close alliances with the agencies based on mutual support an accommodation
Co-optation
Development of such a close alliance between state regulatory agencies in their clientele group that the regulated have, in fact, become the regulators; the interest group has captured such a complete control of the regulatory agency that they have essentially self regulated
Astroturf lobbying
Special interest groups is trading demonstrations to get the impression of widespread in spontaneous public support
Umbrella organizations
Associations formed by smaller interest joining together to promote common policy goals by making campaign contributions and hiring lobbyist to represent their interests
Iron triangles
Long-standing alliances among interest groups, legislators, and bureaucrats held together by mutual self interest and act as subsystems in the legislative and administrative decision making process
Issue networks
Dynamic alliances among a wide range of individuals and group activated by broad public policy questions
Political movement
A mass alliance of like-minded groups and individuals seeking broad changes in the direction of government policies
Pluralist theory
The view that, in a free society, public policy should be made by a multitude of competing interest groups, ensuring that policies will not benefit a single elite at the expense of the many
Elitist theory
The view that the state is ruled by a small number of participants who exercise power to further their own self interest
Revolving door
Interchange of employees between government agencies in the private businesses with which they had dealings
Conflict of interest
A solution in which public officers stand to benefit personally from their official decision
Late train contributions
Campaign funds given to the winning candidate after the election up to 30 days before the legislature comes into session. Such contributions are designed to curry favor with winning candidates 
Term limits
Legally mandated restrictions on the number of times that a politician can be reelected to an office or the number of years that a person may hold a particular office
Per diem
The amount paid each day that a legislator is working, both in regular and special sessions, and when committees meet during that interaction between sessions
Retainer fees
Fees charged by lawyer legislators for services to clients, including those who have business with state agencies or may have lawsuits against state agencies
Consulting fee
Fees charged by legislators who make contract with business clients to consult on matters pending in the legislature, thereby helping the clients to benefit from legislation being considered
Descriptive representation
The idea that elected bodies should accurately represent not only constituents political views but also the ethnic and social characteristics that affect their political perspectives
Single member district
A district that elects one senator or one representative; districts should be equal in populations
Ex officio
Holding a position automatically because one also holds some other office
Malapportionment (outlawed)
Drawing of district lines so that one districts population is substantially larger or smaller than others
Reapportionment
The redistricting or redrawing of district lines, after every census to reflect the population changes over the previous decade
Gerrymandering
The practice of drawing district lines in such a way to give candidates from a certain party, ethnic group, or faction an advantage
Cracking
Gerrymandering technique of dividing up a minority party’s voters into so many geographical districts that are voting power in anyone district is negligible
Packing (influence)
Gerrymandering technique in which members of a party are concentrated into one district, thereby ensuring that the group will influence only one district election rather than several
Pairing
Placing two current office holders and parts of their political bases in the same elective district through redistricting
Incumbent
Currently elected officials
Resolution
A formal expression of legislative sentiment, such as recognizing people, memorializing events , or making decisions that do not involve passing statutes
Simple resolution
A resolution passed by a single house of the legislature affecting only that house and needing no action by the governor
Concurrent resolution
A resolution requiring the house and the senate to agree by simple majority and usually require an approval by the governor
Joint resolution
A resolution, such as one dealing with constitutional amendments, that requires approval of both houses but not the governor. Ex: needs two thirds vote
Delegate type representative
Legislators who interpret their role as being elected to represent a majority of voters interest in their districts
Trustee type representatives
Legislators who interpret their role as being elected to use their judgment and making decisions in the best interest of the state as a whole 
Bureaucratic oversight
The legislature monitoring state agencies to see that these agencies are carrying out public policies as intended
Legislative redress
The power of the legislature to monitor and police itself
Standing committees
Permanent committees that function throughout the legislative session. There are two types substantive and procedural
Mark up
To rewrite or change q bill by adding or deleting provisions before it is considered for passage
Pigeonhole
To set a bill aside and not take any action on it throughout the entire legislative session; many bills are pigeonholed
Floor action
Action by the entire house or the entire to senate to debate, amend, and vote on legislation 
Quorum
To take official action, both houses require 2/3 of the total membership to be present
Floor leaders
The legislators who are responsible for getting legislation passed or defeated 
Point of order
A formal objection that rules of procedure or not being followed on the house floor
Chubbing
Slows down while legislative process
Filibuster
A prolonged debate by a senator to delay passage of a bill
