POL 1133 - Texas Politics & Society Questions and Answers

POL 1133 - Texas Politics & Society Bicameral - Answer- A legislature with two houses or chambers, such as Texas's House of Representatives and Senate. Biennial - Answer- Legislative sessions that happen once every 2 years. Per Diem - Answer- - Set by Texas Ethics Commission - $21,000 for 140-day regular session in 2011 ($150 per day) - Paid whenever on state business, even if not during session (interim committee meetings, etc.) Senatorial Courtesy - Answer- Before making an appointment, the governor is expected to obtain approval from the state senator in whose district the prospective appointee resides; failure to obtain such approval will probably cause the Senate to "bust" the appointee. Redistricting - Answer- Redrawing of boundaries after the federal decennial census to create districts with approximately equal population (e.g., legislative, congressional, and State Board of Education districts in Texas). Local governments must also redistrict for some positions. Ex Officio - Answer- Ex Officio is used to describe something such as a rank or privilege that someone is entitled to because of the job or position they have. Gerrymandering - Answer- Drawing the boundaries of a district, such as a state senatorial or representative district, to include or exclude certain groups of voters and thus affect election outcomes. Incumbent - Answer- An incumbent is someone who holds an official post at a particular time. Single-Member District - Answer- An area that elects only one representative to a policy-making body, such as a state House, state Senate, or U.S. Congress. Reynolds v. Sims - Answer- 377 U.S. 533 (1964) that "the seats in both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on a population basis." Impeachment Process - Answer- - First charges are brought by simple majority vote of House members present - Then Texas Senate holds a trial that requires a two-thirds vote to convict - A convicted official is removed from office and disqualified from holding any other public office. - Other punishment must come through regular judicial proceedings Subcommittee - Answer- A small committee made up of members of a larger committee.