Interest Groups And Lobbying In Texas Exam Prep Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Who is best known for arguing that “factions” would play an important role in American politics?

a. George Washington

b. Ben Franklin

c. Thomas Paine

d. James Madison

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Introduction

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. An organization of ideologically similar people that nominates and elects its members to office is known as a(n)
   1. political action committee.
   2. issue network.
   3. interest group.
   4. political party.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Introduction

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. A(n) ________ is any formally organized association of individuals that seeks to influence public policy in a specific policy area.
   1. political party
   2. interest group
   3. political movement
   4. fraternity

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Introduction

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is an example of:
   1. A public interest group
   2. A government organization
   3. A nonmembership organization
   4. A trade association

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Introduction

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The National Rifle Association (NRA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the National Education Association (NEA) are all examples of groups that are

a. government recognized special interest groups.

b. nonmembership organizations.

c. active on both the state and national levels.

d. barred from financial contributions to PACs.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. What is the primary difference between a membership organization and a nonmembership organization?

a. official membership roles

b. broad-based citizen support

c. dues

d. transparency

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Peak business associations are interest groups that represent

a. statewide business interests.

b. seasonal business interests.

c. national business interests.

d. local business interests.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Which of the following is a private sector professional association?

a. Texas Medical Association

b. Texas State Teachers Association

c. Texas Farm Bureau

d. State Chamber of Commerce

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Professional associations in Texas:
   1. Play a large role in collective bargaining
   2. Do not have active members and instead represent single companies
   3. Typically require members to have a state-issued license
   4. Form the largest category of interest groups

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The largest professional group in Texas is the

a. Texas High School Coaches Association.

b. Texas State Teachers Association.

c. Texas Trial Lawyers Association.

d. Texas Medical Association.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Organized labor in Texas is

a. very weak.

b. modestly weak.

c. quite strong.

d. very strong.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

Map 10.1 – States with Right-to-Work or Anti-union Laws

1. According to Map 10.1, in which of the following regions of the country are you most likely to find a right-to-work state?

a. Midwest

b. South

c. Northeast

d. West Coast

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the AARP, and MoveOn.org are all examples of what interest group type?

a. political interest

b. public interest

c. racial and ethnic interest

d. religious interest

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Imagine you own a small company and you form an interest group to lobby your elected representatives. What category of interest group organization would yours fall under?

a. membership organization

b. nonmembership organization

c. governmental organization

d. quasi-private organization

Critical Thinking: Application

Difficulty: 3

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Which of the following is a SLIG?

a. Texas Municipal League

b. Texas Medical Association

c. Texas Farm Bureau

d. Texas Automobile Dealers Association

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Typology

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Attempts to discuss topics of interest with a member of the legislature in an ambush-style meeting in the public hallways outside a legislative chamber is the original form of what’s still known as

a. “gottcha” politics.

b. lobbying.

c. guerrilla influence.

d. influence peddling.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. All of the following are lobbying tactics EXCEPT:
   1. Working with legislators to draft bills
   2. Testifying before a legislative committee
   3. Publishing a newsletter to keep interest group members informed
   4. Encouraging interest group members to contact legislators about a bill

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Which of the following is one of the five types of lobbyist?

a. contract

b. in-house

c. governmental

d. All these answers are correct.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. A Southwest Airlines employee whose job duties include lobbying is an example of:
   1. A professional lobbyist
   2. An in-house lobbyist
   3. A citizen lobbyist
   4. A governmental lobbyist

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Trying to influence the outcome of elections is known as

a. electioneering.

b. lobbying.

c. campaigning.

d. influence peddling.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

Table 10.3 – PAC Spending form 1998 to 2014

1. According to Table 10.3, what was the total amount of PAC money spent in Texas in the 2012 election?

a. $14 million

b. $57 million

c. $86 million

d. $126 million

Critical Thinking: Application

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

Table 10.3 – PAC Spending form 1998 to 2014

1. According to Table 10.3, which year saw the largest percentage increase in PAC spending?
   1. 2002
   2. 2006
   3. 2004
   4. 2014

Critical Thinking: Application

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

Table 10.3 – PAC Spending form 1998 to 2014

1. Based on Table 10.3, how much money would you estimate was spent by PACs in Texas in 2016?
   1. About $110 million
   2. About $90 million
   3. About $175 million
   4. About $210 million

Critical Thinking: Application

Difficulty: 3

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Which category of PAC spent the most money in the 2012 Texas election cycle?

a. energy/natural resources/waste

b. ideological/single issue

c. real estate

d. agriculture

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. What is the most important tool for interest groups seeking to influence election outcomes?

a. lawyers

b. public relations

c. money

d. connections

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The process of electioneering begins with

a. raising money for campaign costs.

b. focus groups.

c. candidate recruitment.

d. interest polling.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The goal of ________ is to create a favorable public image for the group.

a. positive media coverage

b. public relations activities

c. mass mailings

d. a focus group

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Inviting public officials to address organizational meetings is one technique to raise

a. a group’s image in the eyes of the organization.

b. a group’s image in the eyes of these officials.

c. the organization’s image in the eyes of the community.

d. a community’s image of a public official.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Communication with the general public that attempts to influence legislation is known as:
   1. Citizen lobbying
   2. Electioneering
   3. Volunteer lobbying
   4. Grassroots lobbying

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Techniques Used by Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Texas required registration of interest groups for the first time in ________.

a. 1876

b. 1892

c. 1907

d. 1932

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Regulation of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. According to Chapter 305 of the current Government Code, an individual “who crosses either a compensation or expenditure threshold” while engaged in lobbying efforts

a. is guilty of influence peddling.

b. will be banned from further lobbying efforts for the period of two years.

c. must register as a lobbyist with the Texas Ethics Commission.

d. All these answers are correct.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Regulation of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. When are PACs prohibited from making contributions to members of the Texas state legislature?

a. never; they are free to contribute whenever they wish

b. during the regular 140-day session only

c. the period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the regular session

d. in odd calendar years, i.e. 1971, 1973

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Regulation of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The situation of individuals receiving the benefits of collective action without contributing is known as

a. the “free-rider problem.”

b. the “welfare state.”

c. “benefit stealing.”

d. “coattailing.”

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Interest groups within a state tend to be less powerful when:
   1. The legislature is professional
   2. The economy is dominated by a few industries
   3. Political parties are weak
   4. Government structure is fragmented

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Having a large number of interest groups representing a particular interest, rather than a small number,

a. will probably make them more powerful.

b. has no relation to power.

c. will probably make them less powerful.

d. indicates that many people have similar concerns, thus raising the group’s status.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. As an interest group, what is the Texas Municipal League’s strength?

a. organization

b. size

c. status

d. number of groups

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Commercial shrimp fishermen are more than likely limited in influence because of a lack of

a. geographic distribution.

b. money.

c. political party competition.

d. leadership.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The Coalition of Health Insurance Choice (CHIC) mobilized opposition to

a. the Affordable Healthcare Act.

b. President Clinton’s health care proposal.

c. “Obamacare.”

d. Medicaid and Medicare.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. When the economy of a state grows more diverse,

a. it is easier for a single rich interest to monopolize power.

b. the number of interest groups shrinks.

c. the influence of interest groups becomes greater.

d. no single industry or group can dominate.

Critical Thinking: Comprehension

Difficulty: 2

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. Which of the following can help offset the power of interest groups?

a. economic diversity

b. competitive political parties

c. legislative professionalism

d. All these answers are correct.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. All of the following contribute to legislative professionalism EXCEPT

a. limited sessions.

b. more staff support.

c. higher pay.

d. longer sessions.

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. When the relationship between a state agency and an interest group becomes very close, it is referred to as

a. entrapment.

b. “strange bedfellows.”

c. capture.

d. the “Iron Triangle.”

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The process in which policy is created through the combined efforts of interest groups, a state agency, and a legislative committee is called

a. entrapment.

b. “strange bedfellows.”

c. capture.

d. the “Iron Triangle.”

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. An interest group that appears to have many grassroots members, but in fact does not have individual citizens as members is call what?
   1. A “sheep’s clothing” organization
   2. An “astroturf” organization
   3. A “007” organization
   4. A “Benedict Arnold” organization

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

1. The situation in which a state agency falls under the heavy influence of its constituency interest groups is called:
   1. Rent seeking
   2. Astroturf
   3. Capture
   4. Iron Triangle

Critical Thinking: Knowledge

Difficulty: 1

Text Answer Hint: Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups

Topic: Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

Texas Standards: Texas LO-5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

ESSAY

1. Briefly describe at least five different types or subtypes of membership organizations.
2. Compare and contrast retail trade associations and professional associations.
3. Discuss the strength and role of private-sector and public-sector unions in Texas. What accounts for the relative strength or weakness of such unions?
4. What are the main activities lobbyists engage in?
5. Why and how do interest groups engage in electioneering?
6. Discuss how Texas regulates interest groups.
7. Discuss how money is an especially important power component of nonmembership groups.
8. Explain the effects of economic diversity as it relates to the relative number and size of interest groups.
9. Examine how having a high degree of legislative professionalism lessens the influence of interest groups.
10. Define the terms “capture” and “iron triangle.” How does a fragmented government structure make these two situations possible? Are these two situations overall good or bad for the public as a whole? Why?