Reference no: EM133055570
Chapter 8 - The Executive Branch
1. If you were voting for the Texas Governor - tell me at least three qualities you would look for in that person and fully explain why those qualities are important to you in a Texas Governor.
2. On March 2, 2021, the Texas Governor issued Executive Order GA-34 which effectively "opened up Texas" from the guidelines previously put in place in the state regarding Covid-19. SEE the Texas Department of Health and Human Services website and a link to the Executive Order: Click Here for the Exeutive OrderSome agreed with this move and some did not agree with this move. It impacts each of us on a daily basis in many ways. "Opening up states" is an ongoing hot topic in the United States regarding Covid-19 and economic recovery. Do you agree OR disagree with the Texas Governor "opening up Texas" when he did this spring and fully explain why or why not.
3. This was an extra activity for this chapter - I want to make sure you do it and keep doing it! Remember I told you that The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is part of the Texas Executive Branch. Google the website of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and click on "Unclaimed Property" on the home page (look for it and you will find it!). This office in the Executive Branch is in charge of the over $3 billion of unclaimed property in Texas. Search for your names and see if you find any money and claim it! Tell me if you find money - if not you can always look for family and friends. If you do not find money you can tell me that as well and remember you can keep coming back to this website as it is constantly updated!
Chapter 9 - The Judiciary
4. Judges in Texas are elected and must therefore run for re-election. Federal judges are appointed by the President of the United States (with the approval of the United States Senate) and then they serve for life or until they retire. They are not elected and therefore do not have to ever run for election. Which system do you think is better (judges elected OR judges appointed) and fully explain why you think the way you do.
5. During the Covid-19 Pandemic there has been one person in Dallas County whose name has come to the attention of many -Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. Many have asked the question "why does this person have so much power?" Fantastic question - let's answer it! I realize many of you are not in Dallas County, Texas, but all Texas counties are applicable to this question and we are studying Texas Government. Research Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and the Commissioners Court. What is the Commissioners Court, who is Clay Jenkins, is a County Judge elected or appointed, what are the powers of the County Judge?
6. Explain the differences between civil cases and criminal cases and make sure to include at least one example of each kind of case in your explanation.
Chapter 10 - Local Government
7. Pick someone in a Texas County Government that is discussed in the Chapter - Dallas County or other Texas County Government - research that person to learn more about them and write me at least one paragraph about that person and what you learned (i.e. research the Dallas County District Attorney and write me a paragraph about what you learned) - anyone you are interested in learning about on the County level. **Since we are researching Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins above, please do not pick this position for this question.**
8. I want to make sure you leave this class knowing how to contact your city council representatives. If you live in Dallas County, look up which member of the Dallas City Council represents you and write me an overview of the person (you can use their website or the media). If you do not live in Dallas County, then choose District 14 because that member is in El Centro's District. Use the Dallas City Council website for this question. My hope is you will always do this activity anytime you want to contact someone in the government about what is important to you!
Chapter 11 - Public Finance / Chapter 12 - Public Policy
9. As a voter in Texas, what are the top three priorities you have for spending and public policy (i.e. what issues do you think the state should prioritize in public finance) in Texas - and explain why. As you think this through and write this answer, think about how your priorities translate into who you vote for in elections in Texas.
Chapter 14 - Building the Future: Public Policies for a Changing Texas
10. What have you learned the last few weeks that you will remember one year from today? This can be material that you learned in the class OR this can be something you learned about yourself or a skill you learned during the Covid-19 Pandemic.