To what extent is the Texas state legislature institutionalized? Evaluate in terms of ...

Ans. to #1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain the frequency and nature of the Texas legislature's general and special sessions and compare this to other states.
2. Explain the salary and benefits members of the legislature receive, how they are determined, and compare them to other states.
3. Explain the extent to which legislators are career politicians and the extent of turnover in the legislature and compare them to other states.

Ans. to #2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Define and explain apportionment, districting, and gerrymandering, including explaining the process by which Texas draws legislative districts.
2. Identify how Texas districts traditionally overrepresented rural areas.
3. Identify major Court cases on districting and representation.
4. Explain the significance of the Voting Rights Act for redistricting in Texas.

Ans. to #3

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Identify major influences such as constituent preferences, media, the governor, fellow legislators, personal beliefs, interest groups.
2. Explain how interests of different influences can work against one another and require legislators to balance demands.
3. Present a reasonable argument on the primacy of constituent needs as an influence on decision making.

Ans. to #4

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Identify the growth of the Republican Party in both chambers.
2. Identify the growth in representation of women, African Americans, and Hispanics.
3. Explain the role of changing political patterns and attitudes, redistricting, court-ordered single-member districts for urban House members, and urbanization as causes of membership change.

Ans. to #5

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain what a committee system is.
2. Identify the responsibilities of committees as the primary gatekeeper in the legislative process.
3. Compare and contrast standing committees (both substantive and procedural), select committees, and conference committees.

Ans. to #6

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. List and define each of the five functions performed by the legislature that are discussed in the text.
2. Identify one function as most critical and provide a rational argument as to why it is the most critical.

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