Governor
Senate and House of Representatives
what is the political action committee
a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns
Public interest groups promote what?
consumer, environmental, and general public issues
What is gerrymandering?
A way of giving one party an advantage over the other
Who is most of the representation in Texas given to?
Rich, anglo people (mostly men)
Who can propose a bill?
Legislature
Do Texas lawmakers generally make lots of money?
No
Who spends less on lobbying and campaigns than do business, single-interest, and professional interest groups.
Labor unions in Texas
What are interest groups?
organizations established to influence the government's programs and policies
Interest groups form to _____
influence government to adopt policies favored by the group's membership
How many steps does it take for a bill to become a law?
5
Common Cause is an example of a __________ interest group.
public
A __________ is formed by an interest group to donate campaign funds to political candidates.
political action committee
Who are lobbyists?
an individual employed by an interest group who tries to influence governmental decisions on behalf of that group
Lobbyists are individuals employed by ____
interest groups to try to influence government policies.
Compared to other states, laws in Texas that deal with lobbying by former government officials are ___
weaker
Interest groups attempt to influence policy makers through a technique known as __________, during which a given group's representatives meet with legislators to present their demands, entertain the legislators, and demonstrate grassroots support for the group's policies.
lobbying
Texas is known as a state that has long had powerful interest groups, mostly representing the __________ sector.
business
political money where the donors of the money do not have to be disclosed
Trial lawyers are which type of interest group?
professional
What is the free rider problem
individuals have an incentive not to take direct action if they can benefit without making any direct contribution
______ is when an interest group combines the campaign contributions from multiple sources into one larger donation
Bundling
Interest groups form to
influence government to adopt policies favored by the group's membership.
Interest groups tend to give the majority of their money to ___
the incumbent candidate
____ are concerned about issues affecting the lives primarily of African Americans and Latinos.