Question 1

About what percent of Texas legislative seats are held by women?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

Quiz 5: The Texas Legislature