Influence and Advocacy: Understanding Interest Group Politics

1. Chapter 6 The Politics of Interest Groups

2. Question • Interest groups try to influence policy decisions by • separating from other groups with closely related interests. • demanding support from group members. • obtaining access to key decision makers. • remaining aloof from elections.

3. Answer • Interest groups try to influence policy decisions by • separating from other groups with closely related interests. • demanding support from group members. • obtaining access to key decision makers.* (Correct. See page 207.) • remaining aloof from elections.

4. Question • An interest group is an organization of individuals who seek to • corrupt all government officials. • win all public offices for themselves. • select candidates for all public offices. • influence government decisions.

5. Answer • An interest group is an organization of individuals who seek to • corrupt all government officials. • win all public offices for themselves. • select candidates for all public offices. • influence government decisions.* (Correct. See page 209.)

6. Question • Business organizations typically advocate • higher taxes. • increasing the range of price controls by government. • increasing the range of quality controls by government. • minimal concessions to labor unions.

7. Answer • Business organizations typically advocate • higher taxes. • increasing the range of price controls by government. • increasing the range of quality controls by government. • minimal concessions to labor unions.* (Correct. See page 211.)

8. Question • TSTA, TFT, TACT, and TCCTA are • teacher groups. • teamster groups. • trade associations. • women’s groups.

9. Answer • TSTA, TFT, TACT, and TCCTA are • teacher groups.* (Correct. See page 214.) • teamster groups. • trade associations. • women’s groups.

10. Question • Both LULAC and MALDEF have been instrumental in addressing inequitable funding for • public colleges and universities in areas of Texas with few Latino residents. • private colleges and universities with predominantly Anglo student bodies. • public schools serving Latino children. • public schools serving Anglo children from high-income neighborhoods.

11. Answer • Both LULAC and MALDEF have been instrumental in addressing inequitable funding for • public colleges and universities in areas of Texas with few Latino residents. • private colleges and universities with predominantly Anglo student bodies. • public schools serving Latino children.* (Correct. See page 216.) • public schools serving Anglo children from high-income neighborhoods.

12. Question • Because each interest group seeks its own end, the usual result of interest group activity concerning policy matters is • harmony. • peace. • cooperation. • conflict.

13. Answer • Because each interest group seeks its own end, the usual result of interest group activity concerning policy matters is • harmony. • peace. • cooperation. • conflict.* (Correct. See page 220.)

14. Question • Generally considered the oldest and best known interest group tactic is • lobbying. • electioneering. • campaign financing by PACs. • bribery.

15. Answer • Generally considered the oldest and best known interest group tactic is • lobbying.* (Correct. See page 221.) • electioneering. • campaign financing by PACs. • bribery.

16. Question • At the 2006 state convention of the Texas AFL-CIO, that labor union gave its gubernatorial endorsement to • Republican candidate Rick Perry. • Independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn. • Democratic candidate Chris Bell. • Independent candidate Kinky Friedman.

17. Answer • At the 2006 state convention of the Texas AFL-CIO, that labor union gave its gubernatorial endorsement to • Republican candidate Rick Perry. • Independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn. • Democratic candidate Chris Bell.* (Correct. See page 224.) • Independent candidate Kinky Friedman.

18. Question • Involved in raising money for Republican candidates in 2002, TRMPAC was organized under the patronage of U.S. Representative • Pete Sessions (R-Dallas). • Henry Bonilla (R-San Antonio). • John Carter (R-Georgetown). • Tom DeLay (R-Sugarland).

19. Answer • Involved in raising money for Republican candidates in 2002, TRMPAC was organized under the patronage of U.S. Representative • Pete Sessions (R-Dallas). • Henry Bonilla (R-San Antonio). • John Carter (R-Georgetown). • Tom DeLay (R-Sugarland).* (Correct. See page 228.)

20. Question • Under Texas law, detailed records of political contributions and how this money is spent must be filed with • the Office of the Attorney General. • the Texas Ethics Commission. • the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts. • the Travis County district attorney.

21. Answer • Under Texas law, detailed records of political contributions and how this money is spent must be filed with • the Office of the Attorney General. • the Texas Ethics Commission.* (Correct. See page 229.) • the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts. • the Travis County district attorney.

22. Question • LULAC founder Alonso S. Perales campaigned to give Hispanics the census classification • brown. • black. • white. • mestizo.

23. Answer • LULAC founder Alonso S. Perales campaigned to give Hispanics the census classification • brown. • black. • white.* (Correct. See page 238.) • mestizo.

24. Question • As part of their work, lobbyists may • write bills or portions of bills. • introduce bills on the floor of the House and/or Senate. • offer amendments to bills on the floor of the House and/or Senate. • refer bills to committees.

25. Answer • As part of their work, lobbyists may • write bills or portions of bills.* (Correct. See page 241.) • introduce bills on the floor of the House and/or Senate. • offer amendments to bills on the floor of the House and/or Senate. • refer bills to committees.