The Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature is made up of two chambers, making it what type of body?
Bicameral
A proposed law introduced by a legislator
Bill
The governor of Texas serves how long per term, and is there a term limit?
Four-year terms; no term limit
Why is the Texas governor considered institutionally weak compared to other states?
Because executive power is divided among multiple independently elected officials (plural executive)
The two broad categories of law in Texas
Civil law and criminal law
How long does the Texas regular legislative session last, and how often does it occur?
140 days every odd-numbered year
A committee chair may kill a bill by setting it aside indefinitely—what is that called?
Pigeonholing
What are the formal qualifications to be governor of Texas?
At least 30 years old, U.S. citizen, Texas resident for five years
This official presides over the Senate and is considered by many the most powerful person in Texas government
Lieutenant Governor
Texas has this many high courts—one for civil and one for criminal cases
Two: the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Who are the two most powerful leaders in the Texas Legislature?
The Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor
What term describes legislators speaking at length to delay or kill a bill in the Senate?
Filibuster
The governor’s most significant executive power, allowing control over state boards and agencies
Appointment power
The state’s chief civil lawyer who issues legal opinions and enforces child-support laws
Attorney General
Most Texas judges reach the bench through what method?
Partisan elections
What is the term for drawing legislative districts to favor one political party?
Partisan gerrymandering
How many votes are needed in each chamber to override a governor’s veto?
Two-thirds vote in both chambers
The power allowing the governor to remove specific spending items from an appropriations bill
Line-item veto
This office manages 12 million acres of public lands and natural resource leasing
Commissioner of the General Land Office
The standard of proof required for a conviction in a criminal trial
Beyond a reasonable doubt
This rule ensures districts must have roughly equal populations
One person, one vote principle
What tactic occurs when members deliberately debate bills to slow the process and force other bills to die?
Chubbing
This is the governor’s most powerful tool to shape legislation, delivered at the start of each session
State of the State address (message power)
The agency that reviews and recommends whether state agencies should continue, merge, or be abolished
Sunset Advisory Commission
What reform would replace partisan elections with gubernatorial appointment followed by retention elections?
Merit selection plan