UT Austin Texas Government Credit Exam 2023 with complete solutions

UT Austin Texas Government Credit Exam True or False: The Texas Legislative Branch is the least weak of the three branches - ANSWER-True How senators are in the Texas Senate? - ANSWER-31 How many representatives are in the Texas House of Rep. ? - ANSWER-150 Connecticut Compromise - ANSWER-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. How often does the Texas Legislature hold its regular session? - ANSWER-For 140 days every other year. What happens to a bill at the end of the regular sessions if it hasn't been passed or denied? - ANSWER-It dies What are Special Sessions - ANSWER-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. True or False: Texas legislatures are elected in single-member districts and districts are redrawn ever 10 years - ANSWER-true Who is given the position of President of the Senate - ANSWER-The Lieutenant Governor is given this position by the Texas Constitution. The Lt. Gov. is an elected via a statewide election. T or F: The Texas House has always had single-member districts - ANSWER-False, up until a Supreme Court decision in 1972, House reps where elected in multi-member districts How long are the terms of office for legislative positions? - ANSWER-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. Requirements to run for the Texas House of Reps. - ANSWER-- 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 Requirements to run for the Texas Senate - ANSWER-- 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 private interest group - ANSWER-groups that seek to influence public policy for the specific and often exclusive benefit of their members or people with similar interests public interest group - ANSWER-groups that seek influence public policy for the benefit of the general population in-house lobbyist - ANSWER-employed directly by the interest groups themselves (e.g. Vice President of Legislative Affairs Contract Lobbyist - ANSWER-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