Writing Assignment 1
Select ONE of the following topics to answer for Writing Assignment 1. The writing assignment should be a minimum of 750 words. You should find most of the information you need to complete the assignment in the textbook, but it may improve your submission by using additional sources (such as news articles or government websites).\u00a0\u00a0See the Writing Assignment Instructions for more information.
Discuss how the population has changed in Texas and how it is projected to change in the future.\u00a0 (Hint: Look at the charts and graphs in Chapter 1.)\u00a0 In what ways might Texas\u2019 politics change in the future based on its racial and ethnic makeup?\u00a0 Based on the population growth, urbanization and economic transformation of the last two decades, how might Texas change in the next two decades?\u00a0 Which areas will grow in population, and what might Texas\u2019 government have to do to respond to that growth?\u00a0 (Be specific)
Compared to the US Constitution, why is the Texas Constitution so frequently amended? How does the turnout for elections dealing with constitutional amendments compare to turnout for presidential elections? (Refer to \u201cWho are Texans?\u201d in Chapter 2). Do you think the level of turnout influences the legitimacy of the amendments that are passed or rejected?\u00a0 Do you think that more people should participate in constitutional amendment elections? Why or why not?\u00a0 Is there anything the state can do to increase turnout for constitutional amendment elections?
Has the evolving relationship between the federal government and the states changed for the better or worse? Why? How has Texas generally responded to mandates from the federal government? Do you think the federal government should be allowed to enact \u201cunfunded mandates\u201d on the states?\u00a0 What state issues, if any, do you feel the federal government should be involved in?\u00a0 Why these and not others?
Do you think political parties serve an important function in Texas?\u00a0 Why? \u00a0What are some of the barriers to third parties in Texas?\u00a0 Do you think Texas should make it easier for minor parties to gain political power?\u00a0 Why or why not?\u00a0 What changes would you make in order to improve the visibility and power of minor parties in Texas?
What are some of the past and more recent barriers to voting in Texas?\u00a0 (Be specific) What accounts for the low level of voter participation in Texas?\u00a0 What can be done to increase voter participation?\u00a0 (Specifically discuss at least two policy proposals that election officials could adopt.)\u00a0 Under legislation passed in 2017, Texas will be eliminating straight-ticket voting beginning with the 2020 elections. \u00a0Do you agree with this?\u00a0 Why or why not?
What are some of the positive and negative consequences of former members of the Texas Legislature lobbying current members of the legislature?\u00a0 People in the legislature and outside observers have discussed putting limitations on lobbying by former members.\u00a0 Should Texas enact laws to limit the ability of ex-legislators to lobby? What major proposal was put forward in the 2019 legislative session?\u00a0 How far did the bill go in the Texas Legislature?\u00a0 (Note:\u00a0The Texas Tribune\u00a0is a good source for information on the legislative session.)
Discuss the gender, racial and educational makeup of the Texas Legislature.\u00a0 (Refer to \u201cWho are Texans?\u201d in Chapter 7.)\u00a0 Does it adequately represent the population of the state?\u00a0 If the legislature had more people of color, more women, or more people of varying levels of education, do you think it would pass different policies?\u00a0 If so, what kinds of policies might they pass?\u00a0 (Be specific here.)\u00a0 Does the part-time nature of the Texas legislature encourage or discourage people from particular occupations to run?\u00a0 Do you think a full-time legislature could make the legislature more representative?\u00a0 Why or why not? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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