POLS 2312 Nichole Horn State and Local Govt Exam 2 Notes Media Legislature Governor Beauocracy Interest Groups 150 house districts smaller about 140 000 citizens 31 Senatorial Districts larger about 675 000 citizens Redistricting Every 10 years districts are redrawn Gerrymandering Drawing district lines that benefits one particular party Republicans look to split up urban areas usually liberal Democratic such as Austin Dallas Houston etc Democrats look to split up wealthy areas who are usually republicans into several districts to minimize their power Descriptive Representation People are looking for elected officials who share similar qualities not ideas Ex White people voting for white people black people voting for black people etc Substantive Representation Looking for elected officials who share the same ideas or goals Lieutenant Governor Most powerful leader in TX govt more powerful than governor 4 year term no term limit President of state senate not a senator but oversees state senate Appoints chairmen of senate committees Gives out committee assignments to senators which senator goes to which committee Must be recognized with Lieutenant to speak on floor Speaker of the House Elected by house members 2 year terms one legislative session no term limit Gives assignments to house members How a Bill Becomes Law 1 2 3 4 5 6 Introduction in either chamber Bill referral by Speaker or Lieutenant Governor Committee action reported issued Floor Debate Vote Move to other chamber where the process starts over again Bill must pass both chambers before going to governor Chair of committee Decides what bill will be discussed Can table a bill usually becomes dead If majority of committee members do not like a bill they will give it an unfavorable report becomes dead Bills only move on if given a favorable report Filibuster Can only happen in the senate Purpose of a filibuster is to kill a bill Plural Executive Officers and Boards Secretary of State 4 year term run same as governor No term limit Chief Election Officer Send out voter registration cards and is returned to them Maintains voter registration Appointed by Governor Attorney General 4 year term No term limit Represents state of Texas in court Issues formal opinions on bills Commissioner of General Land Office 4 year term No term limit Oversee state owned land Chair of Veterans Land Board School Land Board Compteller of Public Accounts 4 year term No term limit State Accountant Collect Manage state revenue investments deposits etc Main job is to certify the states biannual or biennial revenue report Commissioner of Agriculture 4 year term Head of Texas Department of Agriculture Enforce agricultural laws we have in Texas State Board of Education 15 members elected from single member districts 4 year terms Regulate and monitor public education Ex Curriculum reform selecting textbooks courses standardized tests Texas Railroad Commission Regulate oil gas and how much you can drill in TX 3 members 6 year terms staggered they don t all re run at the same time Last 2 years of term you become chair Governor Powers Veto Powers there is 2 types most powerful thing he can do 2 3 majority vote from House and Senate can overturn a veto Line item Veto can only be used on Appropriation Bills Designate certain amount of money to public programs foundations etc Regular Veto Pardoning Powers TX governor has none Military Powers In charge of state militia composed of State Guard National Guard Appoints a leader for state guard Legislative Liaison Act as governor s own lobbyist several Public Utility s Commission 3 members appointed by Governor 6 year terms staggered Jurisdiction over power and electric company s electricity and telephone lines Enforce laws related to electricity and telephone 220 different boards commissions agencies etc in Texas Beaurocratic Interest Group organizations that influence government public policy