Chapter 11 Legislative Branch The delegate and trustee models present conflicting views of representation The Texas legislature much like the U S Congress is shaped by its powers structures and procedures Effective communication is important to persuade others of your policy positions Ethical decision making is an essential component of a legislator s job Delegate vs Trustee Models The delegate model holds that members of Congress should be directly responsive to the opinions of their constituents that the role of the representative or senator is to do whatever the public wants them to do o Little to no difference between the views of the public back home and the votes of the representatives and senators o Affords legislators very little independent judgment the voter s wishes are her orders The trustee model holds that if the elected representative believes that is in the best interests of his constituents to pass an unpopular law then he must take care of their interests just like a parent takes care of a child who does not always know what s best o Great deal of independence but his foremost concern is using his own good judgment Delegate model helps to promote a high level of electoral accountability as the voters will know just what to expect from their representative Powers Structures and Procedures Speaker of the house chief presiding officer of the house Elected by all legislators at the beginning of each session Power to appoint committees assign bills and resolutions to committees and recognize those who wish to speak in debate Co chairs the legislative council budget board and audit committee Lieutenant governor presiding officer of the senate Individually elected by all Texas voters Power to appoint senate committees assign bills to committees recognize speakers in legislative debates and vote in case of ties He also co chairs the legislative council budget board and audit committee Texas legislature holds the power to pass bills and resolutions but because it Bills are often introduced at the same time in both chambers to move them meets only every other year through the process more quickly Legislators hurry to get their preferred bills on the agenda as quickly as possible so that time does not run out on the session Six basic steps in the process by which bills become law in Texas 1 Bills are introduced to their respective chambers 2 Referred to committee that exercises jurisdiction or authority on the subject areas to which the bill pertains 3 Referred to a standing committee 4 Bill is examined analyzed debated and revised in committee and is passed favorably out of committee it goes next to the floor of the house and senate 5 Conference committee to work out differences and develop one final version 6 Final version must then be passed by both the house and senate again before it goes on to the governor for his or her signature
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