08 Oct Texas Government

Texas Government

Discussion Federalism

 

The complex system of American federalism is on display during the covid-19 pandemic. Understanding how federal, state, and local governments relate–or don’t relate–will help you better understand the positive and negative aspects of such a complex structuring of government. Please read this article for information about federalism in the age of covid-19:

 

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/united-states-leads-coronavirus-cases-not-pandemic-response (Links to an external site.)

 

How do the responses to the covid-19 pandemic reflect the federal system?  Can state and local governments address the crisis alone?  On what basis should the federal government provide aid to the states? Discuss.

 

 

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

 

Discussion Voting Rights

 

Is voter fraud a real problem in Texas elections? In other elections in the United States? Despite hard evidence that voter fraud is not a threat to elections in Texas or elsewhere, states have enacted restrictions on voters. Read this article and check out the state-by-state information:

 

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx (Links to an external site.)

 

In conflicts over voting rights, is the state of Texas justified in increased restrictions, such as requiring voter identification, or should the federal government step in to protect voting rights? Discuss.

 

 

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

 

Discussion Interest Groups

 

Do you feel it is beneficial that we have countless interest groups and that they have an enormous influence in our political system? Do interest groups end up helping the powerful segments of society at the expense of the collective good or not? Should lobbyists need a stricter form of regulation when conducting business with legislature? Give a description of a Texas interest group. Be sure to tell the class the name of the interest group, why was the interest group founded, where it was founded, and three issues that the group supports and three issues the group opposes.

 

You may use the link below to research an interest group for your response.

 

https://votesmart.org/interest-groups/TX/#.Xnp0KIi6M2x (Links to an external site.)

 

 Jack Abramoff Video-Jack Abramoff: The lobbyist’s playbook (Links to an external site.)Jack Abramoff: The lobbyist’s playbook

 

Please take the time to read the interest groups chapter, review the power point for clarification (if needed) and view the video of lobbyist Jack Abramoff to answer the following questions. Your Discussion response must be composed of a minimum of 250 relevant, responsive, and complete words in order to receive full points (this is a little more than one half a page, double-spaced, 12 point font with one-inch margins). You must also respond to two of your classmates posts for full points.

 

 

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

 

Discussion Interest Groups

 

Texas is big, and Texas is important. Big in the sense of size (second only to Alaska) and population (second only to California). And our problems are big: public education, public health, pollution, and more. So why does Texas have a part-time legislature that meets for only about 5 months every other year? For more information, read this article:

 

https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/08/hey-texplainer-why-does-texas-have-part-time-legislature/ (Links to an external site.)

 

Some people argue that Texas should have a full-time legislature that meets annually to deal with the state’s issues. What is your take on this? Give some advantages and disadvantages of your position.

 

 

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

 

Discussion Local Government

 

The state of Texas is experiencing the ravages of the covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of the oil industry simultaneously. The stresses on local budgets are growing. Please read this article to learn more:

 

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/27/rising-property-values-taxes-economy/ (Links to an external site.)

 

Now, consider yourself a local government official in your city. The city needs to raise more revenue to address a major increase in homelessness. What would be your approach to this challenge? Discuss.

 

 

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

 

Discussion Criminal Justice/Treatment of Texas Prisoners

 

Read the listed article and watch the short documentary to answer the following questions. Do you believe Texas prisoners deserve to have A/C? Do you believe that all prisoners should have their basic needs met regardless of them serving a sentence? Why do you think the state has ignored prisoner’s request to recieve A/C? Does the examples listed in the documentary fall under “cruel and unusual punishment?” What needs to be done in order to ensure the rights of prisoners are not infringed upon?

 

Your Discussion response must be composed of a minimum of 250 relevant, responsive, and complete words in order to receive full points (this is a little more than one half a page, double-spaced, 12 point font with one-inch margins). You must also respond to two of your classmates posts to receive full credit.

 

 A judge told Texas to put some inmates in air conditioning. Lawyers say prison officials are violating that order.In a motion Thursday, the prisoners’ lawyers asked the judge to hold prison officials in contempt and issue fines. They also accused the agency of hiding multiple instances of noncompliance with the court order.Jolie McCulloughThe Texas Tribune