Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

The Texas Legislature CHAPTER 19

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Legislative Functions, Structure, and Representation Outline the functions and structure of the Texas legislature, and how legislative seats are allocated. Legislative Leadership Assess the significance of the house and senate leadership positions. The Committee System, Rules, and Procedures Determine how the organization and rules of the legislature impact legislative activity. Key Objectives Click on buttons to go to the relevant slide

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Legislative Decision Making Analyze influences on legislators’ decision making. Legislative Staff, Ethics, and Reform Explain how increasing professionalism has led to a broader role for staff and ethics reform? Key Objectives 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

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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 Back to Learning Objectives 19.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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) Back to Learning Objectives 19.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.1

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

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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 Back to Learning Objectives 19.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives The Committee System, Rules, and Procedures 19.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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 Back to Learning Objectives 19.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 19.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which type of committee is responsible for reconciling House and Senate versions of the same legislation? A.Conference B.Interim C.Select D.Standing Back to Learning Objectives 19.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which type of committee is responsible for reconciling House and Senate versions of the same legislation? A.Conference B.Interim C.Select D.Standing Back to Learning Objectives 19.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Norms Sources of influence –Staff –Interest groups –Governor –Peers and caucuses –Media –Constituents Analyze influences on legislators’ decision making. Back to Learning Objectives Legislative Decision Making 19.4

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.4

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.4

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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 Back to Learning Objectives 19.5

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.5

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 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. Back to Learning Objectives 19.5

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