Author Question: Compare the House and senate of the Texas Legislature in terms of structure, membership, and ... (Read 100 times)

Kthamas · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Compare the House and senate of the Texas Legislature in terms of structure, membership, and demographics.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How do the powers of the lieutenant governor affect the legislative process?

What will be an ideal response?

onowka · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
A. Structure
1. Senate
a. upper house
b. 31 members
2. House
a. 150 members
b. Membership
1. Senate
a. four year unlimited terms with half elected every two years
b. U.S. citizen and registered voter
c. Texas resident for 5 year, district resident for one year
d. 26 years old
e. 600 salary and 150 per diem
2. House
a. two year unlimited terms
b. same citizenship, registered voter and residency requirements as the Senate
c. 21 years old
d. same salary and per diem as Senate
3. Privileges shared
a. constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech during debate
b. freedom from arrest (except for treason, felony or breach of peace)
4. Other similarities (demographics)
a. both have more Republicans than Democrats
b. neither reflects diversity of the Texas population
c. representation moving closer to Texas ethnic diversity
d. women still underrepresented in legislature

Answer to Question 2

Answer:
A. Lieutenant governor most powerful officeholder in the state
1. presides over senate
2. power comes from 1876 Texas Constitution, custom, and tradition
B. Ability to exert power over the legislative process
1. powers are significant in shaping legislative process
a. recognizes members from senate floor who wish to speak
1. gives the ability to mold and shape debate
2. order chosen can affect process
3. without recognition some bills can never survive
4. keep senators from making important points
c. appoints members, chairs and vice-chairs to committees
1. by determining who is on a committee it shapes how committee deals with legislation
2. committee chairs are friends of lieutenant governor
3. personal relationships allow lieutenant governor to contribute to committee deliberations
4. legislation opposed by lieutenant governor never makes it out of committee
c. appoints senate members to conference committees
2. lieutenant governor chooses people dependable to protect interests of the senate
d. determines jurisdictions of committees as to the kinds of bills they consider
1. enhances the lieutenant governor power to determine the fate of a bill by sending it to a friendly or hostile committee
e. holds several ex officio positions that further strengthen role
1. Legislative Budget Board; recommendations for working budget
2. lieutenant governor major player in budget process
3. Texas Legislative Council; research services of the Legislature