POLS 2312Nichole HornState and Local Govt. Exam 2 NotesMedia LegislatureGovernorBeauocracyInterest Groups150 house districts – (smaller) about 140,000 citizens31 Senatorial Districts - (larger) about 675,000 citizensRedistricting - Every 10 years, districts are redrawnGerrymandering – 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 powerDescriptive 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 goalsLieutenant 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 floorSpeaker of the House – - Elected by house members- 2 year terms (one legislative session), no term limit- Gives assignments to house membersHow a Bill Becomes Law1. Introduction in either chamber2. Bill referral by Speaker or Lieutenant Governor3. Committee action-reported issued4. Floor Debate5. Vote6. Move to other chamber where the process starts over again*Bill must pass both chambers before going to governorChair 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 billPlural Executive Officers and BoardsSecretary 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 GovernorAttorney General- 4 year term- No term limit- Represents state of Texas in court- Issues formal opinions on billsCommissioner of General Land Office - 4 year term- No term limit- Oversee state owned land- Chair of Veterans Land Board & School Land BoardCompteller 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 reportCommissioner of Agriculture- 4 year term- Head of Texas Department of Agriculture- Enforce agricultural laws we have in TexasState 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 chairGovernor PowersVeto 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 noneMilitary Powers – In charge of state militia (composed of State Guard & National Guard)- Appoints a leader for state guardLegislative 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 telephone220 different boards, commissions, agencies, etc. in Texas (Beaurocratic)Interest Group – organizations that influence government (public)