Assignment:
American Government 1: Theories, Policies and Politics
State and Local Government
Choose EITHER Option A or Option B to complete this project. You may do your project as a written paper, a PowerPoint Presentation, or a website.
• If you do a written paper, it should be at least 3 pages (900 words), typed, and double-spaced.
• If you do a Power Point Presentation, you should have at least 15 slides and use at least two visual aids (charts, photos, etc.).
• If you do a website, you will need to have a well-organized layout that meets all grading criteria and uses at least two visual aids (charts, photos, etc.). You will need to send the URL for your site to your teacher with your project submission. Your website should be equal in substance and information to a three-page paper.
Be sure to cite each source that you use (including any images you use for visual aids). Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which may be accessed online or in many libraries. Your project should be free from spelling, typing, and grammatical errors.
Option A: State Legislature
Select a bill from a state legislature that you think is important. Discuss the bill's progress through the legislature. Be sure to note the state and bill about which you are writing at the start of your project.
Use the journals and proceedings of your state's legislature as the basis for your project. These records are available online as well as in many libraries. Also, newspapers and local news programs may be helpful.
Option B: Local Reform
Imagine a civic reform that you would like to make in your local community. Some examples of civic reform are provided. They are only examples, and you do NOT have to choose one of them. Choose an issue that is important in your town or area.
• a new traffic safety law (e. g., reserving certain lanes on busy streets for bicyclists or prohibiting bicycling on busy streets, reserving certain roads for car pools)
• a new environmental protection law (e. g, annual or bi-annual inspection of vehicle exhaust systems)
• public support for a local charity (e. g., shuttle service for donors to a local blood bank)
• a public work (e. g., a new road, a dog run area, a park, a shooting range, a swimming pool, new parking areas)
• a public service (e. g., improved bus routes or schedules, new requirements for road maintenance, more efficient garbage collection, greater access to recycling drop-offs, public safety seminars)
• repeal of an unnecessary law (e. g., a leash law for cats, a high local tax, restrictions on where restaurants and stores can be located)
• redirecting city funds (e. g., cutting support for an unpopular tourist attraction and using the money to improve roads)
Explain the issue and why you think the reform is necessary. Then describe the steps you would need to take to enact the reform. Use at least one source to document the political processes in your community.
Your presentation will be graded as follows:
• Explanation of the issues (assume your teacher is not familiar with them).
• Explanation of why your reform is necessary.
• Explanation of what your reform will involve. Your idea should be feasible, practical, and realistic. If it involves spending, explain how your city or county will pay for it. Evaluate both the gains and costs associated with your reform.
• Explanation of local political processes.
• Step-by-step plan of how your reform will be enacted.
To submit your project:
• If you write an essay, type it in the space provided at the end of this document (scroll down).
• If you do a Power Point presentation, save it on your desktop.
• If you do a website, copy and paste your URL into the space provided at the end of this document (scroll down).