Texas Politics Today 2015 2016 Edition 17th Edition Maxwell Test Bank
Texas Politics Today 2015 2016 Edition 17th Edition Maxwell Test Bank
Texas Politics Today 2015 2016 Edition 17th Edition Maxwell Test Bank
2. What type of interest group seeks the betterment of society as a whole or the reform of the political, social, or economic
system in ways that do not directly affect their member’s pocketbooks?
a. Mixed interest groups b. Noneconomic interest groups
c. Economic interest groups d. Advocacy groups
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 139-140
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Applied
5. Noneconomic interest groups benefit from _______ because it translates into greater political clout in the Texas’s
legislature.
a. political savvy b. free riderships
c. large membership d. political efficacy
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 139-140
6. Education and local government groups lobby for all of the following except
a. increasing salaries and benefits for their public employees.
b. supporting their governments.
c. encouraging unfunded state mandates.
d. obtaining more local control or less state control over their affairs.
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 140
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Factual
7. Interest groups pursuing social equality and economic goals are classified as what type of group?
a. Noneconomic groups b. Liberal groups
c. Mixed or hybrid organizations d. Conservative groups
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 140
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Factual
12. Which of the following is employed to express the values of interest groups?
a. Pressure groups b. Lobbyists
c. Executive appointees d. Legislative assistants
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 141
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Applied
13. Direct contact between an interest group representative and an officer of government is an example of
a. lobbying. b. pressure groups.
c. electioneering. d. advocacy.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 141
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Factual
14. Which of the following statements about the lobbying activities of special interest groups is incorrect?
a. They lobby only members of the state senate.
b. They petition members of the executive branch.
c. They bring lawsuits to the courts.
d. They rally the public for support.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 141
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Applied
15. Interest groups will seek to build a positive public image by which of the following means?
a. Hiring public relations firms b. Demonstrating good citizenship
c. Print and broadcast advertisements d. All of these choices are true.
16. __________ is the fabrication of public support for issues supported by industry and special interest groups, but which
give the impression of widespread public support.
a. Electioneering b. Concrete lobbying
c. Astroturf lobbying d. Collective lobbying
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 141
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Factual
17. Before a legislative session begins, a lobbyist must have successfully completed all of the following except
a. memorizing the faces of the members, their nonlegislative occupation, and the counties they represent.
b. establishing rapport through contact with the members of the legislature.
c. getting to know the family members of legislators because through them the member can be influenced.
d. knowing the legislative issues, including the arguments of opponents.
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 141-142
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Factual
19. An effective lobbyist would have done which of the following before the start of a new legislative session?
a. Research which legislators are predisposed to support his or her cause
b. Memorize the faces of members of the legislature
c. Get to know the staff of legislators
d. All of these choices are true.
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 141-142
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Conceptual
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21. Business and agriculture interest groups are interested in all of the following except
a. encouraging government regulations.
b. securing benefits called subsidies.
c. keeping their taxes low.
d. receiving government contracts to increase profits.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 142
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Factual
25. Which of the following are least likely to subscribe to the Texas Register?
a. Corporations b. Labor unions
c. Ordinary citizens d. Interest groups
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 144
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.1 - LO1
NOTES: Applied
26. Lobbyists are able to have influence on the policy-making process after a law leaves the legislature because
a. Texas governors have a history of giving lobbyists an informal veto power on all legislation.
b. the Texas legislature gives the bureaucracy a great deal of administrative discretion through the rule-making
process.
c. the Texas office of customer satisfaction requires that the bureaucracy run all implementation plans by
interested lobbyists and stakeholders.
d. none of these choices is true.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 144
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Conceptual
29. The blurring of lines between the state and a special interest group is called
a. a structured conspiracy. b. co-optation.
c. negative cooperation. d. symmetry.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 145
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Factual
30. When interest groups employ lobbying officeholders to file suits in court, get their advocates appointed to state
boards, testify before legislative committees, these are examples of
a. direct means of influencing government.
b. indirect means of influencing government.
c. mixed interest means of influencing government.
d. influencing government.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 145-146
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Factual
31. Special interest groups use the court system because of all of the following except
a. the court system can give a more favorable interpretation of the law than that given by the enforcing agency.
b. lawsuits are less expensive than trying to influence the legislature.
c. the court system serves as a way to delay application of costly rules.
d. the court system is a way to political capital for supporters.
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 145-146
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Applied
33. In the case of Caperton v. A.T. Massey, the U.S. Supreme Court
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34. According to state law, which of the following statements about lobbying is incorrect?
a. Not all lobbyists are required by state law to register and report their activities.
b. Lobbyists not paid wages or reimbursed for their expenses are not required to register with the state.
c. Individuals and organizations that spend more than a specified amount of money attempting to shape public
decisions are required to register.
d. All lobbyists must file financial reports with the secretary of state.
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 146
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
NOTES: Conceptual
35. Which of the following concerning campaign contributions for state house and senate candidates is correct?
a. Total contributions for senate races were greater than the total for house races.
b. Total contributions for senate races were less than the total for house races.
c. Total contributions for senate and house races were about the same.
d. More money was raised in Texas for these races than any other state.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 147
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.2 - LO2
NOTES: Applied
38. When a special interest is seeking a change in policy that affects the balance of power in the political, social, or
economic system, there will be
a. much greater participation and conflict.
b. less participation and conflict.
c. much greater participation and less conflict.
d. much less participation and greater conflict.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 148
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Factual
39. Which industry groups in Texas had the largest number and maximum value of contracts signed with lobbyists?
a. Insurance b. Real estate
c. Energy/natural resources d. Computers and electronics
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 149
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
NOTES: Factual
40. An organization created by interest groups to promote common goals is identified as what type of organization?
a. Shield b. Umbrella
c. Life boat d. Floater
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 149
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Applied
42. A mass alliance of like-minded groups and individuals seeking broad changes in the direction of government policies
is called a(n)
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43. Which characteristic of the structure of government in Texas makes it difficult for one interest to dominate the whole
government?
a. Separation of powers b. Checks and balances
c. Appointed officials with fixed terms d. All of these choices are true.
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 151
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
NOTES: Applied
44. Why is it difficult for any one special interest group to dominate Texas state politics?
a. There is a wide diversity of interests.
b. Demographics are always shifting.
c. We elect too many individuals to too many offices.
d. We have too many elections.
ANSWER: a
REFERENCES: 152
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
NOTES: Conceptual
45. Research shows that the main element that determines the political power of a group is
a. how long the group has been established.
b. how much public officials need the group.
c. how large the membership.
d. where the group’s headquarters is located.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 152
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
NOTES: Factual
46. Studies regarding the power of interest groups consistently show that
a. where political parties are weak, interest groups are also weak.
b. where political parties are weak, interest groups are strong.
c. where political parties are strong, interest groups are also strong.
d. all of these choices are true.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 153-154
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47. Which of the following has occurred when a public official makes a decision that might result in a personal economic
advantage?
a. Co-optation b. Conflict of interest
c. Public interest d. Advocacy
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 154
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
NOTES: Factual
49. _______ is the good of the whole society, without bias for or against any particular segment of the society.
a. Co-optation b. Public interest
c. Conflict of interest d. Public good
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 154
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
NOTES: Factual
51. The Center for Public Integrity has criticized the Texas Ethics Commission for which of the following reasons?
a. Members are appointed by the governor and legislature creating a conflict of interest.
b. Commissioners split along party lines.
52. All of the following are exempt from lobbyists’ reports except
a. compensation received to prepare for lobbying.
b. office expenses.
c. costs above expenditure threshold of $500 per year.
d. costs associated with events to which all members of the legislature are invited.
ANSWER: c
REFERENCES: 157
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Applied
53. According to state law, when registering, lobbyists are required to reveal to the state
a. for whom the person lobbies.
b. information about their clients and employers.
c. the policy areas of concern.
d. all of these choices are true.
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 157
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Factual
54. Which state agency has the responsibility to establish standards of conduct for lobbyists?
a. Texas Public Policy Commission b. Sunset Advisory Commission
c. Texas Audit Commission d. Texas Ethics Commission
ANSWER: d
REFERENCES: 158
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Applied
55. The members of the Texas legislature must be provided with a list of registered lobbyists and their clients by
a. January 1 of each legislative session. b. February 1 of each legislative session.
c. March 1 of each legislative session. d. July 1 of each legislative session.
ANSWER: b
REFERENCES: 158
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
NOTES: Factual
57. How do judicial elections make the court system vulnerable to the influence of special interests?
ANSWER: Answers may vary
REFERENCES: 145-146
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
58. Who are some of the most powerful interest groups in Texas and what issues/industries do they represent? How are
alliances formed among interest groups in Texas?
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 148-149
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.3 - LO3
59. Explain the revolving door and the Texas legislature. Should ex-legislators be able to become lobbyists? Or should
there be a ban on such activities? If so, should there be laws in place that will determine the time period of this kind of
ban? Do you see any long-term dangers to permitting former lawmakers to serve as lobbyists?
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 154-155
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
60. Discuss the state laws regulating lobbying in Texas. What are they required to report? What are they not required to
report? Select one of the areas that does not require reporting and explain why you agree or disagree with the law that
allow for this.
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 157-158
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.4 - LO4
61. Discuss the different types of interest groups and explain why the economic groups are considered the most important.
Which group has the least amount of influence and why?
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 139-141
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
62. What changes would your propose to the state government to prevent co-optation in the future? Would the courts,
legislature, or bureaucracy be the most effective institution to tackle this problem? Why?
ANSWER: Answers may vary
REFERENCES: 142-148
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
64. Discuss the difference between iron triangle and issue networks. Which do you believe is better at influencing public
policy outcomes? Why or why not?
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 150-151
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
65. Explain how the right to join an interest group or the right of association is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Do you
think that these guarantees can endanger a representative democracy?
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 151
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
66. What is the purpose of interest groups, and what are some of the positive and negative views of these groups? Why do
you think people join interest groups? How do they attempt to influence the decisions of government officials?
Summarize some of the criticisms of these groups. Do you agree or disagree with the criticisms? Explain.
ANSWER: Answers may vary.
REFERENCES: 152-158
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
67. What changes would you make to the Texas Ethics Commission to address the criticisms made by the Center for
Public Integrity?
ANSWER: Answers may vary
REFERENCES: 156-158
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5
68. Describe the function and influence of PACs on policy process in Texas.
ANSWER: Answers may vary
REFERENCES: 160-161
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: TXPT.MAXW.16.6.5 - LO5