Texas Unit 3 Assignment

Texas	Unit 3
Government	Assignment

Public Policy Research

1. Select a current Texas public policy issue to research. Suggested topic areas:

a. Political Terrorism – Homeland Security

Civil Liberty Issues

Patriot Act (Racial Profiling)

b. Education – Robin Hood Rule (School Finance)

University Tuition Control

TAKS

c. Budget – Tax Cuts

Education Spending Increases

Income Taxes – Individual or Business

Budget Deficit

d. Insurance Reform

e. Immigration – Work Permits for Undocumented Immigrants

Tracking Foreign Visitors

f. Capital Punishment - Adolescents

Mentally Retarded

g. Transportation – Light Rail

Highway Spending Plans – Toll Roads

h. Energy Policy – Air Pollution (Emission Testing Sept 1st)

Regulating SUV Fuel Economy

i. Environmental Policy – Water Quality

Water Conservation

Water Leasing on State Land

j. Religion – School Prayer

Faith Based and Community Initiatives

State Vouchers for Private Schools

k. Social Issues – Affirmative Action

Abortion

Cloning

Gay Rights (Same Sex Marriage Amendment)

Mandatory Civil/Military Service

Medicaid and CHIP Program Cuts

Medical Cannabis

Medicare Prescription Benefit

Stem Cell Research

Tort Reform –

l. Criminal Justice System – Increased Spending

Gun Control

The web site http://www.lonestarreport.org/ is an excellent source of these and other current policy issues. If you select some other topic send me an e-mail describing the issue for my approval. You may also discuss the topic with me in class.

2. Describe the issue or policy and why it affects Texas politics or government. (2 points)

3. Research the issue using published, broadcast or on-line media sources. In your own words describe both sides of the policy issue. Concisely address arguments for and against the policy. (3 points) Use appropriate MLA guidelines for documenting your sources. The web site http://webster.commnet.edu/mla.htm can be an excellent source for those guidelines. Support your research with at least five reliable sources. A works sited list is all that is necessary.

4. State your position on the issue. Include why you think it is important and how it fits into the concepts of Texas political and social values discussed in class and the text. (3 points)

5. Select a Texas official who you will try to influence regarding the issue. You might be a constituent of the elected official or it could be an appointed official who has an interest in the policy issue. (2 points)

6. Describe why you selected this official, how you plan to address the issue in your letter, and what you hope to accomplish. (3 points)

7. Document your research (2 points) works cited (minimum of five).

8. Using all of your research information write a letter to the official you have selected. (10 points) Write the letter in a business format using Times New Roman font in size 12 with standard margins.

9. E-mail your research paper and letter to me no later than __________________________. If you cannot e-mail it, turn in a paper copy in class that day.

10. If you plan to actually e-mail the letter to your Congressman, Senator, or the Governor make sure you send your postal address as well. Some officials will respond to a constituent’s postal address rather than to an e-mail address.

11. Use Internet Explorer and the form below to e-mail your assignment to me. The enter key works to add lines of text in this assignment.

This assignment must be 500 words or more. There is a loss of 2.5 points per 50 words below 500.

12. Make a paper copy of the “Thank you” form that appears after you send the assignment. That will be a backup copy in case a virus eats the email copy.

1. Describe the public policy Issue.
2. Concisely address the pros and cons of the policy issue.
3. State your position on the policy issue.
4. Which official will you try to influence on this policy issue?
5. Why did you select this official?
6. Research works sited.
7. Contact Letter

Name	Class
Email