Question 1

About what percent of Texas legislative seats are held by women?&#10;A) 25%&#10;B) 35%&#10;C) 40%&#10;D) 50%

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, about 25% of Texas legislative seats are held by women, reflecting a broader trend of underrepresentation in political offices nationwide.

Question 2

State legislatures experience membership turnover of about what percent in each electoral cycle?&#10;A) 50%&#10;B) 40%&#10;C) 30%&#10;D) 20%

Accepted Answer

State legislatures typically experience a membership turnover of about 20% in each electoral cycle, due to factors like elections, retirements, and other changes.

Question 3

Who is the Speaker of the Texas House?&#10;A) Joe Straus&#10;B) Tom Craddick&#10;C) George Christian&#10;D) Todd Staples

Accepted Answer

Joe Straus is the current Speaker of the Texas House.

Question 4

The power committees of the Texas House include all but which of these?&#10;A) Appropriations&#10;B) Border and International Affairs&#10;C) Calendars&#10;D) Ways and Means

Accepted Answer

The power committees of the Texas House are Appropriations, Calendars, and Ways and Means. Border and International Affairs is not one of them.

Question 5

The Senate requires the agreement of what proportion of the members to bring a bill to the floor?&#10;A) 40%&#10;B) Half&#10;C) Two-thirds&#10;D) Three-quarters

Accepted Answer

The Senate requires a two-thirds agreement (or 67 votes) of its members to invoke cloture and end debate on a bill, which allows it to come to the floor for a vote. This process is often used to break filibusters and move controversial bills forward.

Question 6

A member urging a no vote in the Texas House would hold up how many fingers?&#10;A) one&#10;B) two&#10;C) three&#10;D) five

Accepted Answer

In the Texas House, a member urging a no vote would hold up two fingers. This is a unique non-verbal communication method used to indicate their voting preference.

Question 7

Texas governors usually veto about what percent of bills passed by the legislature?&#10;A) 20%&#10;B) 10%&#10;C) 5%&#10;D) 1%

Accepted Answer

Texas governors typically veto a very small percentage of bills passed by the legislature, usually around 1%.

Question 8

How many of the ten largest states pay their legislators less than Texas?&#10;A) none&#10;B) 2&#10;C) 3&#10;D) 5

Accepted Answer

Texas is among the states with the lowest legislative salaries, meaning none of the ten largest states pay their legislators less than Texas does.

Deck 5: The Texas Legislature