Interest Groups
What are interest groups?
Organizations that try to influence government decisions and public policy
What is lobbying?
Trying to influence lawmakers or government officials.
What is electioneering?
Various activities of interest groups in helping candidates sympathetic to their cause win public office.
What is the difference between a membership organization vs a nonmembership organization?
Memebrship organizations-These interest groups have members who join and usually pay dues.
Nonmembership organizations-These groups represent one company or organization and are not open for people to join.
Name one lobbying activity interest groups are allowed to do?
•Contacting legislators to express support for or opposition to legislation.
•Convincing legislators to propose legislation (file a bill) favorable to the group.
•Working with legislators to draft legislation.
•Testifying about the effect of proposed legislation.
•Encouraging members of an interest group to contact legislators regarding legislation.
•Issuing press releases and buying ad space.
•Providing written material to legislators.
What does the Texas Ethics committee do?
Enforces laws related to lobbying, political fund-raising and spending, and financial disclosure by state officials.
What are government organizations (SLIGs)?
These groups represent local governments and public agencies.
What are the names of the people who wrote the Rules and Tricks of the Lobbying Trade?
Grace and Ledbetter
In Texas' fragmented government structure, who makes fews significant appointments?
Governor.