Texas Legislature and Government Worksheet

About the Texas legislature: What are the total members in each chamber of the Senate and House of Representative?

• Texas Senate has 31 members; Texas House of Representatives has 150 members.

• Texas Senate has 50 members; Texas House of Representatives has 100 members.

• Texas Senate has 40 members; Texas House of Representatives has 120 members.

• Texas Senate has 25 members; Texas House of Representatives has 200 members.

What are the sessions of the Texas legislature?

About the Texas legislature: What are the meeting years and days for the Texas legislature?

About the Texas legislature: What is the salary of Texas legislators?

What are the most important powers of the governor, Lt. governor, and speaker of the House of Representative?

• The governor has veto power, appointment power, and can call special sessions. The Lt. governor presides over the Senate and has significant influence over legislation. The Speaker of the House presides over the House and appoints committee members.

• The governor only signs bills, the Lt. governor manages state finances, and the Speaker of the House oversees the state police.

• The governor leads the Senate, the Lt. governor appoints judges, and the Speaker of the House manages the state budget.

• The governor can declare war, the Lt. governor commands the military, and the Speaker of the House appoints the governor.

What is the foremost goal of the member of Congress?

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

What are the major characteristics of the Current Texas Constitution?

• The Texas Constitution is lengthy, detailed, and has been amended many times. It limits government power and emphasizes local control.

• The Texas Constitution is short, vague, and rarely amended. It centralizes government power.

• The Texas Constitution is identical to the U.S. Constitution and focuses on federal authority.

• The Texas Constitution is primarily concerned with international relations and trade agreements.

Where is the majority of legislative work completed (in committee or floor)?

What do you know about the members of Texas Legislators?

• Members of the Texas Legislature are elected officials representing districts in the Senate and House. They vary in background, but most are part-time legislators.

• Members of the Texas Legislature are appointed by the Governor and serve for life terms.

• Members of the Texas Legislature are all full-time politicians with legal backgrounds.

• Members of the Texas Legislature are selected through a lottery system and do not represent specific districts.

Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law (Five steps or actions).

• Introduction 2. Committee action 3. Floor action 4. Conference committee 5. Governor's approval

• Proposal 2. Debate 3. Public vote 4. Judicial review 5. President's signature

• Drafting 2. Public hearing 3. Senate approval 4. Supreme Court review 5. Implementation

• Nomination 2. Election 3. Ratification 4. Amendment 5. Enforcement