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Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman


The Texas Legislature

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Legislative Functions, Structure, and RepresentationOutline the functions and structure of the Texas legislature, and how legislative seats are allocated.

Legislative LeadershipAssess the significance of the house and senate leadership positions.

The Committee System, Rules, and ProceduresDetermine how the organization and rules of the legislature impact legislative activity.

Key ObjectivesClick on buttons to go to the relevant slide.

19.1

19.3

19.2


Legislative Decision MakingAnalyze influences on legislators’ decision making.

Legislative Staff, Ethics, and ReformExplain how increasing professionalism has led to a broader role for staff and ethics reform?

Key Objectives

19.5

19.4

Click on buttons to go to the relevant slide.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives

•Structure of the Texas Legislature– The House is comprised of 150 members, elected for 2-year terms– The Senate is comprised of 51 members– The Legislature meets in regular biennial sessions, in odd-numbered years for 140 days – Special sessions, if called by the Governor, last 30 days

Outline the functions and structure of the Texas legislature, and how legislative seats are allocated.

Back to Learning Objectives

Legislative Functions, Structure, and Representation

19.1


Functions of the Legislature

Lawmaking, including the formulation of a budget for the state and agencies

The legislature provides oversight to agencies responsible for implementing the laws

Legislators represent constituents Redistricting


19.1


Redistricting

• Redistricting is the redrawing of state-wide electoral districts to account for shifts in population within and among these districts– Baker v. Carr, 369 US 186 (1962)– Reynolds v. Sims, 377 US 533 (1964)


19.1


The Texas legislature meets

A. annually, beginning in September.B. annually, from January through May.C. biennially, for 140 days.D. each summer until Labor Day.


19.1


The Texas legislature meets

A. annually, beginning in September.B. annually, from January through May.C. biennially, for 140 days.D. each summer until Labor Day.

19.1


Legislative Leadership

•House Leadership– The presiding officer of the House is the speaker

•Formal powers of the speaker include–Maintaining order during floor debates–Ruling on procedural questions–Signing all bills passed by the Legislature–Appointing committees and chairs

Assess the significance of the house and senate leadership positions.


19.2


• The president of the Senate is the lieutenant governor

• Formal powers of the lieutenant governor include– Determines when and if legislation is

moved to the floor for debate– Appoints members to standing

committees

Senate Leadership


19.2


Texas legislators receive an annual salary of A. $55,000.B. $25,000.C. $13,500 plus per diem.D. $ 7,200, plus per diem.


19.2


Texas legislators receive an annual salary of A. $55,000.B. $25,000.C. $13,500 plus per diem.D. $ 7,200, plus per diem.


19.2


• Committees provide the organizational structure for both the House and Senate

• There are several different types of committees– Standing committees– Conference committees– Select committees

Determine how the organization and rules of the legislature impact legislative activity.


The Committee System, Rules, and Procedures

19.3


• How does a bill become a law?– Introduction (first reading)– Committee action – Floor action (second/third readings)– Conference committee action if necessary– Gubernatorial action

• Obstacles exist – Local consent calendar– Voting

Rules and Procedures


19.3

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19.3


Which type of committee is responsible for reconciling House and Senate versions of the same legislation?

A. Conference B. Interim C. Select D. Standing


19.3


Which type of committee is responsible for reconciling House and Senate versions of the same legislation?

A. Conference B. Interim C. Select D. Standing


19.3


• Norms

• Sources of influence– Staff– Interest groups– Governor– Peers and caucuses– Media – Constituents

Analyze influences on legislators’ decision making.


Legislative Decision Making 19.4


A filibuster occurs

A. in the House when 2/3rds of the membership vote in favor of a bill.

B. in the Senate when a member speaks to thwart full floor debate on legislation.

C. in the House, when the Speaker speaks unfavorably about legislation.

D. in the Senate when the Lt. Governor votes to break a tie.


19.4


A filibuster occurs

A. in the House when 2/3rds of the membership vote in favor of a bill.

B. in the Senate when a member speaks to thwart full floor debate on legislation.

C. in the House, when the Speaker speaks unfavorably about legislation.

D. in the Senate when the Lt. Governor votes to break a tie.


19.4


• Legislative Staff– Increase in size– Professionalism

Explain how increasing professionalism has led to a broader role for staff and ethics reform.

Legislative Staff, Ethics, and Reform


19.5


What do you think?Fifteen states limit the terms of state

legislators. Texas does not have term limits. Should we?

NO. Limiting terms of legislatures removes good people from retaining office and building up expertise in the areas that can best serve their constituents.

YES. It ensures that individuals cannot become career politicians and lose touch with their constituents.


19.5


What do you think?If the governor vetoes a bill after the session is

over, the legislature has no recourse. Should the legislature be allowed to return to session to reconsider overturning vetoes?

NO. If it is good legislation, they can simply take it up at the next biennial session and send it immediately to the governor.

YES. Some bills take longer to work through and it isn’t fair that the legislative process is thwarted because of a short session.


19.5


Credits

718 Bob Daemmrich/PhotoEdit Inc.; 721 Stock Boston; 724 Bob Daemmrich; 726 Bob Daemmrich; 727 Bob Daemmrich; 731 AP Images/Harry Cabluck; 733 Jim Lincoln; 735 Bob Daemmrich; 736 Texas Senate Media Services; 739, top to bottom: Bob Daemmrich (2); AP Images/Harry Cabluck; AP Images/Thomas Terry; Bob Daemmrich