Assignment:
Writing Assignment 2 Instructions
Select one of the following three topics to answer for Writing Assignment 2. The writing assignment should be a minimum of 750 words. You
should find much of the information you need to complete the assignment in the textbook, but you may also need to use additional sources such as news articles or government websites. Be sure to provide a citation for all sources used in your paper.
See the Writing Assignment Instructions for more information.
• During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Governor Greg Abbott was criticized by members of both major Texas political parties--the Democrats and the Republicans--for restrictions he imposed to try to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Texas. Governor Abbott was criticized by the Democrats for inadequate COVID-19 restrictions and by the Republicans (his own party) for having too many COVID-19 restrictions. In response a constitutional amendment was proposed in the 2021 Texas legislative session that would limit the powers of the governor in a pandemic or other crisis. What restrictions on the governor's powers were in this proposed constitutional amendment? What were the arguments for and against these restrictions? What happened to this proposal during the regular session? Did the governor exceeded his authority during the pandemic or did the governor's actions did not go far enough? Governor Abbott has publicly denounced and signed executive orders to oppose federal and local government mandates for employees having to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as well as mandates for wearing face masks in public. Do you support or oppose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate? Do you support or oppose masks being worn in public to try to limit the spread of COVID-19?
• Refer to Chapter subchapter "City Government in Texas." What is the difference between a general-law versus a home-rule city? Name and describe the three major forms of home-rule city government. Identify the form of government and the number of city council members for Texas' three largest cities: Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. Do you support or oppose term limits for city mayors and city council members, and why? Read "State Preemption of Local Laws" in Chapter 10 then explain what has caused the city-state tension regarding laws that prevent local governments from legislating on controversial issues, who supports local legislation free from state preemption, who supports state preemption of local laws, then name some of the recent state preemption issues.
• Read Chapter, "Public Finance," in the textbook. Describe the five broad and overlapping categories of funds from the biennial Texas state budget and the amounts of money in those funds for the 2020-2021 biennium. Identify three general policy areas (i.e. public education, higher education, and criminal justice) where you think the State of Texas should spend more of its budget and why you support increased funding for these policy areas. Texas is considered to have one of the most regressive tax structures in the nation. Define "regressive" and "progressive" taxes. What makes the Texas tax system "regressive?" How might Texas make its tax system more "progressive?" Do you support or oppose the State of Texas adopting a state income tax to increase state revenue and spending?