Reference no: EM133535791

Questions

1. The cities of Texas cannot become cities (incorporate) unless the voters (taxpayers) agree to that. Who authorizes the incorporation of a city?

2. Contrast the powers of home-rule cities with general-law cities.

3. What are the limits and benefits of both systems?

4. Would it be appropriate to describe home-rule cities as a type of direct democracy? Why or why not?

5. Which of the city types do you prefer: General Law or home rule cities? Why?

6. Describe the major forms of municipal government.

7. List the characteristics of each different type.

8. Investigate the type of government that each of these cities (Canutillo, Socorro, Horizon, Anthony, Fabens, San Elizario) has.

9. Is Ysleta a city? What is the status of Ysleta?

10. Describe the powers of a city council.

11. Describe the powers of a city manager

12. The mayor cannot hire or fire a city manager. Who are the city managers accountable to?

13. The video is prerecorded and we have a new mayor. Who is the current mayor of El Paso? (you can use this website: City of El Paso)

14. A mayor in a strong-mayor city system wishes to promote walking and bicycling in the city to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. The mayor wants to see a set of ordinances to create bicycle lanes and provide tax incentives for walking and biking to work. What strategies are available to this mayor to achieve his or her legislative goal?

15. A mayor in a weak-mayor city system wishes to promote an equal rights ordinance in his or her city. The ordinance, designed to guarantee rights of service to citizens regardless of sex, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation, is controversial in the city. What strategies are available to this mayor to achieve his or her legislative goal?

16. In the same scenario above, what would be the strategies available to the mayor in a Council-Manager form of government?

17. Describe the commission form of government.

18. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the commission form of government.

19. In the same scenario above, what would be the role of the city manager?

20. What is a "charter"?

21. What is an "ordinance"?

22. Give an example of a local ordinance (in El Paso or other cities around).

23. What ordinance(s) would you like to see passed in the city that you live in?

24. Is there any way that you could make that (those) ordinance (s) happen?

25. How democratic do you think your city is?