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Questions and Answers
Prior to the establishment of the U.S. Congress, what was the role of state legislatures?
Prior to the establishment of the U.S. Congress, what was the role of state legislatures?
- They operated as advisory bodies to the British monarchy.
- They were designed as direct imitations of the British Parliament.
- They were formed concurrently with the U.S. Congress as equal governing bodies.
- They existed as colonial legislative bodies that predated Congress. (correct)
Which structural feature of state legislatures was adopted in the design of the U.S. Congress?
Which structural feature of state legislatures was adopted in the design of the U.S. Congress?
- Bicameralism, dividing legislative power between two chambers (correct)
- Unicameralism, with all legislative power in a single house
- Quadracameralism, separating legislative power into four distinct bodies
- Tricameralism, distributing legislative power across three houses
In the 19th century, what was a significant trend in the relative power of state legislatures compared to the U.S. Congress?
In the 19th century, what was a significant trend in the relative power of state legislatures compared to the U.S. Congress?
- State legislatures gained power as Congress became less effective.
- State legislatures and Congress maintained a balance of power.
- State legislatures were abolished and replaced by federal bodies.
- State legislatures experienced a decline in power as Congress became more dominant. (correct)
Which factor is indicative of a 'professionalized' legislature?
Which factor is indicative of a 'professionalized' legislature?
What is the most common structural organization of state legislatures in the United States?
What is the most common structural organization of state legislatures in the United States?
What is the typical range in size of state legislative bodies, particularly the lower house?
What is the typical range in size of state legislative bodies, particularly the lower house?
Which factor contributed to Congress becoming more professionalized and adaptable to policy changes compared to state legislatures during a certain period?
Which factor contributed to Congress becoming more professionalized and adaptable to policy changes compared to state legislatures during a certain period?
How did the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, enacted after the Civil War, affect the power dynamic between state legislatures and Congress?
How did the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, enacted after the Civil War, affect the power dynamic between state legislatures and Congress?
How does the size difference between state legislatures' upper and lower houses affect their relationship?
How does the size difference between state legislatures' upper and lower houses affect their relationship?
What is a potential consequence of term limits on state legislatures?
What is a potential consequence of term limits on state legislatures?
How does the ratio of lower house seats to upper house seats relate to state expenditures?
How does the ratio of lower house seats to upper house seats relate to state expenditures?
What impact do supermajority voting rules have on the relationship between house size ratios and state expenditures?
What impact do supermajority voting rules have on the relationship between house size ratios and state expenditures?
How does geographic size impact representation in state legislatures?
How does geographic size impact representation in state legislatures?
How do legislators from multimember districts (MMDs) tend to view their role compared to those from single-member districts?
How do legislators from multimember districts (MMDs) tend to view their role compared to those from single-member districts?
How does the collaborative nature of legislators from MMDs affect their legislative success?
How does the collaborative nature of legislators from MMDs affect their legislative success?
What is a potential impact of multimember districts (MMDs) on government spending?
What is a potential impact of multimember districts (MMDs) on government spending?
Flashcards
Bicameral Size Differences
Bicameral Size Differences
The difference in the number of members between the two houses of a legislature.
Term Limits
Term Limits
Restrictions on the number of terms a legislator can serve in office.
Legislative Capacity
Legislative Capacity
The ability of a legislature to effectively gather and process information.
Supermajority Voting Rules
Supermajority Voting Rules
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Geographic Size Implications
Geographic Size Implications
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Multimember Districts (MMDs)
Multimember Districts (MMDs)
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Trustees vs. Delegates
Trustees vs. Delegates
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Constituent Services
Constituent Services
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Evolution of State Legislatures
Evolution of State Legislatures
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Characteristics of State Legislatures
Characteristics of State Legislatures
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Bicameral Legislature
Bicameral Legislature
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Professional Legislature
Professional Legislature
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State Legislatures in the 19th Century
State Legislatures in the 19th Century
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Variations Among States
Variations Among States
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House of Representatives and Senate
House of Representatives and Senate
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Member Size in State Legislatures
Member Size in State Legislatures
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Study Notes
State Legislatures Today - Overview
- Course: POLS 3314: Legislative Process
- Textbook Authors: Peverill Squire and Gary Moncrief
- Instructor: Dr. Bianca
Objectives
- Trace the evolution of state legislatures
- Explain the six characteristics of state legislatures
History of State Legislatures
- Colonial legislatures predate Congress, and are not direct imitations
- State legislatures influenced the design of the U.S. Congress
- Bicameral structure, with houses having different characteristics (e.g., Senate terms longer than House terms)
- Constitutions have differing provisions for separation of legislative powers
State Legislative Evolution (19th Century)
- Power of state legislatures decreased as Congress grew more powerful
- State legislatures developed well-established institutions with standing committees and sophisticated procedures.
- Legislatures became more professionalized.
- Post-Civil War amendments (13th, 14th, 15th) impacted state legislative power
Evolution in the 20th Century
- Congress became more professional and equipped to address policy changes, while state legislatures lagged behind.
- Professional legislatures meet continuously, have superior staff resources, and pay members well enough to make it a vocation.
Basic Characteristics of State Legislatures Today
- Most states have bicameral legislature (except Nebraska)
- House and Senate are common names, differing in size
- Membership sizes vary greatly across states. The smallest is Alaska with 20 members and there are 400 members in the New Hampshire house.
- U.S. Senate is larger than any state Senate; Minnesota being the largest, 67 members
Basic Characteristics of State Legislatures Today - (Continued)
- Bicameral size differences may impact relationships, capacities to develop info, and creates bottlenecks
- As the ratio of lower house to upper house increases, state expenditures decrease. Supermajority voting may reverse this relationship
- Term limits (rotation) are present in 15 states, leading to consequences like greater turnover, instability in committees, and less investment in learning about policies which leads to potential disadvantages with the executive branch
Geographic Size
- Significant implications for representative makeup
Multimember Districts (MMDs)
- More likely to think of themselves as trustees than delegates.
- Claim to spend more time providing constituent services.
- Collaborate on legislative issues but not always successful in getting bills through
- Bring more dollars in some states than others
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