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

What will be an ideal response?

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