UNIT 2 EXAM REVIEW

This exam will be open note/open book; you are allowed to use whatever notes you have taken or find on my webpage at www.geocities.com/ktholton (I’ve tried to post the power points, as well, but keep getting the message that the names of the files are invalid or are too large….With that in mind, I tried, but alas, it was not meant to be…)

The Legislative Branch

Know the following:

*Composition of the Texas House and Texas Senate (# in each chamber, which profession is represented in over abundance, etc.)

*Terms of service and minimal qualifications for the Texas House and Texas Senate

*Key leadership positions—who holds the power, what type of power(s), and why is that power important

*How does one become a key power player in the state legislature

*Constraints on the legislature’s activity (length of session, constitutional requirements in the lawmaking process, etc.)

*How are the House and Senate distinct from one another?

*How does a member of the state legislature successfully promote his/her legislative agenda?

*Why are committees important?

*What is the power of the committee and the committee chairman?

The Executive Branch

*What are the formal and informal powers of the governor?

                --veto and line-item veto

                --going public

                --limited appointment powers to state boards and commissions

                --calling special sessions

                --state of the state address

*Who are the major actors in state policy-making?

                --governor or other executive officials

                --legislature

                --special interests

*The Stages of the Policy-Making process

*Arguments for and against cabinet-style government

*Constraints on the power of the governor and the executive branch

*Length of terms and if there are any term-limits or not

*Comptroller’s role in state budgeting

*Limitations on the state’s budget

*Where the money goes—more to education than anything, then to healthcare, then highways, then public safety….

*Moderate to conservative ideology of most Texas governors

Bonus is identifying current state office holders….