COMPETENCY FEEDBACK

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Political Science

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Feb 20, 2024

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Comp One Post-Test - Results Attempt 2 of 3 Written Nov 9, 2023 2:59 PM - Nov 9, 2023 4:04 PM Released Oct 16, 2019 7:43 PM Attempt Score 89 / 100 - 89 % Overall Grade (Highest Attempt) 89 / 100 - 89 % stion 2 0 / 1 point Interest groups in Texas have an advantage over individuals in influencing policy because interest groups usually have Question options: all of the above greater expertise than individuals more staff more time to influence official on 0 / poi The population of early Texas grew dramatically since statehood. The 2000 census saw a shrinking of which group and percentage? Question options: Whites by 25% Hispanics by 50% Whites by 50% Hispanics by 25% on 0 / poi Which level of government cannot deny voting rights because of failure to pay taxes. Question options: Federal government State and County governments State government Federal and state governments

on 0 / poi Elected African Americans in Texas were able to participate in the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1875? Question options: True False on 0 / poi In the early days of exploration and settlement by the Spanish, Texas represented a vast, unsecured, and sparsely populated territory with little immediate economic or political value. Question options: True False on 9 / 10 point ESSAY QUESTION: https://www.texasgop.org/platform/ https://www.texasdemocrats.org/our-party/texas- democratic-party-platform/ You will need to go to the links provided for both Texas political party platforms to answer the following: Review where each party platform stands on the following topics. You need to write a small paragraph of each parties stance and note your citation for each topic. Criminal Justice

1. Legalizing marjuana 2. Private prisons and detention centers Environment 1. Environmental Protection Agency 2. Carbon Tax/and or fracking Equality and Social Justice 1. Equal Rights Amendment 2. Hate Crime laws Voting Rights and Fair Elections 1. Electoral College reform 2. Same day voter registration/online voter registration Economic 1. Minimum wage 2. Social Security (expansion/abolishment/reform). Education 1. Funding (any aspect) 2. Teaching of health/sex education in public schools

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Do you see any trends? Does any of this information surprise you? Are there any other topics you saw that were of interest? Criminal Justice: 1. Legalizing Marijuana: Democrats often favor decriminalization or legalization of marijuana, emphasizing criminal justice reform and reducing non-violent drug-related convictions. Republicans tend to have a more conservative stance, often opposing the legalization of marijuana, and call doctors to determine the appropriate use for patients. 2. Private Prisons and Detention Centers: Democrats may advocate for criminal justice reform measures that reduce the use of private prisons and detention centers. Republicans may be more inclined to support the use of private facilities for cost-effectiveness. Environment: 1. Environmental Protection Agency: Democrats support the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in regulating environmental issues and may advocate for stronger environmental regulations. Republicans lean towards reducing and defunding the EPA's authority and promoting a more business-friendly approach to environmental issues. 2. Carbon Tax/Fracking: Democrats might be more open to the idea of a carbon tax to reduce carbon emissions and often express concerns about the environmental impact of fracking. Republicans may resist the introduction of a carbon tax and favor policies that encourage domestic energy production, including fracking. Equality and Social Justice: 1. Equal Rights Amendment: Democrats often support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as a means of promoting gender equality. Republicans may have differing views on the ERA, with some supporting it and others opposing it. 2. Hate Crime Laws: Both parties generally support hate crime laws, but there may be differences in how these laws are implemented and enforced at the state level. Voting Rights and Fair Elections: 1. Electoral College Reform: Democrats advocate for reform or abolition. Republicans support the Electoral College. 2. Same Day Voter Registration/Online Voter Registration: Democrats often favor measures that make it easier for individuals to register to vote, including same-day and online registration. Republicans oppose same-day registration and would like the retention of the 30-day registration deadline. Economic: 1. Minimum Wage: Democrats support an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15/hr. minimum, Republicans support the Minimum wage repeal 2. Social Security: Democrats support the Social Security program remaining a part of the federal government, while republicans support a system of private companies for retirees.

1. Funding: Democrats often advocate for increased funding for public education, including greater investment in schools and teacher salaries. Republicans may prioritize local control and fiscal responsibility. 2. Teaching of Health/Sex Education: Both parties support age-appropriate sex education and biology to decrease the numbers of teen pregnancies, republicans also oppose policies that go against traditional lifestyles. The trends I noticed were that the Democrats and the Republicans are almost always on opposing sides of whatever topic is discussed, this does not surprise me, but it is disappointing that there is no middle ground. n 38 0 / 1 point A narrow view associated with rural values and limited government is called a traditionalistic political culture Question options: True False on 1 / 3 poin PARAGRAPH QUESTION: 4 thorough sentences minimum in paragraph form for full points. Texas' emerging socio-economic complex in the 1950's included what key components? These contributed to the changing political culture how? The socio-economic complex included key components such as the oil industry that played a crucial role as Texas became a major oil-producing state, contributing to economic growth and urbanization. Urbanization played a huge roll in changing the political landscape in Texas. These changes in the socio- economic landscape influenced the political culture by bringing in a more diversified and urbanized society, contributing to a more complex and dynamic political environment in Texas. uestion 43 feedback ally didn't address the question of the ways these components contributed to the changing political culture. on 44 0 / 1 point

Two centuries ago Texas was a sparsely populated and desolate backwater on the distant frontier of the waning Spanish empire. Question options: True False on 0 / poi Lobbyists in Texas often write the original drafts of bills to be introduced in the legislature, a time-consuming endeavor requiring in-depth knowledge of the relevant issues. Question options: True False Comp Two Pre-test - Results Attempt 1 of 1 Written Nov 9, 2023 4:25 PM - Nov 9, 2023 4:53 PM Released Mar 7, 2020 11:28 PM Attempt Score 59 / 100 - 59 % Overall Grade (Highest Attempt) 59 / 100 - 59 % stion 10 0 / 5 points ESSAY QUESTION: A minimum of 3 thorough paragraphs with cited sources for full points. Review and prepare for the post test. Describe and evaluate the differences between city and county governments. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both and how these structures work with state government. Do you believe that city and county governments should have less or more power? Support your argument. For example a

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county that bans something through an election and the state negates that decision. - n 19 0 / 1 point Voter registration is managed at the county level by: Question options: the county judge the county clerk the district clerk the tax accessor-collector on 0 / 5 poin Essay Question: For post test needs to be 3 paragraphs, cited source and analysis for full points. Review the types of courts in the state of Texas and the judges that preside over them. Take two examples and thoroughly evaluate the types of cases they hear; and in particular what are the qualifications of the judge(s) who reside over that type of court. I do not want only a list of the cases, I want you to critically think about the crimes being brought to the court and the judicial authority presiding over them. Think critically; what is YOUR analysis of the correlation of the two? Some examples to think about might be; how the judge is selected; what is their education; what oversight do judges have; do the crimes being processed in that court match the level of the judicial authority? - n 22 0 / 5 points Essay Question - Review and prepare. For post test needs 3 paragraphs, cited source and analysis for full points.

REMEMBER this is TEXAS government; you are looking up your state officials (not U.S.) If you do not live in Texas please let me know and we will get a city in Texas for you to use. What Texas State Senate District do you live in? Who is your State senator? What Texas House district do you live in? Who is your State House representative. Identify what committee's they are appointed to; what bills did they sponsor or support; were these bills passed? Does this information correlate with their expertise/background? Again end with paragraph analyzing your research; think critically. You will be surprised at the types of bills which are presented. I would recommend using the state websites. - n 25 1 / 3 points Paragraph Answer: Four thorough sentences. Explain the roles played by Special Districts; what makes them different than city or county government? Special districts role is to be tasked with a certain issue and focus solely on that issue until it is resolved in each area. Special districts address specific local needs and provide services, like water supply, sanitation, or healthcare. What makes them different than city or county government, is that they focus only on their one function A county is formed in terms of population density, while a special district is created geographically. on 32 0 / 1 point

The Texas governor has only THREE formal constitutional qualifications Question options: True False on 0 / 3 poin Paragraph Question: Four thorough sentences for full points. What are the steps involved in Texas Civil Court processes? The steps of the Texas civil court process involves the initiation of a lawsuit through the filing of pleadings. In the filing of the pleadings, the plaintiff presents the claims, and the defendant will be able to respond. Other steps involved are the discovery, pretrial motions, and potential mediation or settlement negotiations. The process takes place in a trial, where the evidence is presented, which will lead to a judgment. After judgement, there may be post-trial motions or appeals - - n 36 0 / 3 points Paragraph answer: Four thorough sentences for full points. What is the difference between a state bureaucratic agency or commission and an interest group. Give examples and be specifc on the difference. In Texas, the difference between a state bureaucratic agency or commission and an interest group can be found in its authority and functions. Bureaucratic agencies, like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), operate within the government's executive branch, they have legal authority to implement and enforce environmental regulations. They make decisions based on existing laws and administrative procedures. In contrast, The Texas Association of Business is

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an interest group that operates independently, advocating for policies and legislation favoring businesses in Texas. While the TDI administers and enforces insurance-related laws, the Texas Association of Business looks to influence policy decisions through external advocacy efforts and does not possess governmental authority such as lobbying and public awareness campaigns. n 37 0 / 1 point Members of the Texas plural executive are accountable to Question options: voters and the governor Texas constitution legislature and the voters State Supreme Court on 0 / po The term weak executive refers to the fact that the governor of Texas has no direct control over most of the agencies in the state government. Question options: True False on 0 / 2 poin The chairs of the Texas House committees are Question options: both Democrats and Republicans selected on the basis of seniority independents of the same party as the Speaker on 0 / po The Texas legislature takes office in January Question options: every year in odd-numbered years in even-numbered years

biennially on 0 / 3 poin Paragraph Answer: Four thorough sentences minimum for full points. In your own words what are some pros and cons of partisan elections for judges in Texas? Pros to partisan elections for judges in Texas are that they help in enhancing the transparency. They provide voters with information about candidates and their political affiliations. These elections assist in accountability and allow citizens to express concerns through the electoral process. Cons of the partisan elections for judges in Texas is that the judges could have biases due to their political influences which would then compromise the neutrality of the judiciary, and they could lose the trust of the public and lose their credibility. n 57 0 / 1 point Does Texas allow for consolidated city-county governments? Question options: True False on 0 / 2 poin The Texas legislature does not pass this type of bill or resolution Question options: joint resolution special resolution special bill local bill Done COM 3 PRETEST- ESSAYS AND PARAGRAPHS READY House Bill 1325 - Hemp Legalization (2019):

Texas passed this house bill that was passed to legalize the cultivation and sale of products containing less than 0.3% THC. The reform aimed to differentiate between hemp and marijuana, providing legality for the production and sale of items such as CBD. This bill had required adjustments to testing protocols for law enforcement to be able to tell the difference between legal hemp and illegal marijuana. House Bill 2048 - Raise the Age Legislation (2017): House bill 2048 is known as the "Raise the Age, “bill. This bill changed the age at which people of Texas are considered as adults in the criminal justice system. Before this reform, 17-year-olds were automatically treated as adults in the criminal justice system; however, this legislation raised the age to 18. The change was implemented so that Texas could follow suit with the majority of other states that recognize the developmental differences between juveniles and adults at the age of 18. This reform also reminds me of the recent age change to be able to purchase tobacco products, which was raised from 18 to 21. In your own words describe a regressive tax policy. What are your thoughts on this type of policy? In a regressive tax policy, the tax burden falls more heavily on lower-income individuals as a percentage of their income compared to higher-income individuals. This means that as income decreases, the proportion of income paid in taxes tends to increase. In other words, the tax rate decreases as the income level rises. My thoughts on regressive tax policies are that they can contribute to income inequality and disproportionately impact those with lower incomes. Since individuals with lower incomes spend a larger portion of their earnings on essential goods and services, which are often subject to consumption taxes like sales tax, they bear a higher relative tax burden. This can create financial challenges for low-income households, potentially exacerbating economic disparities. While regressive taxes may be simpler to administer, they can lead to social and economic inequities. Policymakers often consider the impact of tax policies on different income groups and strive to design tax systems that are fair and balanced. Progressive taxation, where higher- income individuals pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, is often seen as a way to promote a more equitable distribution of the tax burden. Texas has what type of budget process? Thoroughly describe and analyze. Do you agree why/why not? Texas operates under a biennial (two-year) budgeting process, which is a notable feature of its budgetary system. Here's a thorough description and analysis of the Texas budget process:

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Description: Biennial Budgeting: The Texas budget covers a two-year period, starting on September 1 of odd-numbered years and ending on August 31 of the next odd-numbered year. This biennial approach allows the state government to plan for longer periods and provides stability in budgeting. Legislative Authority: The Texas Constitution grants the legislative branch the authority to appropriate funds. The Texas Legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, plays a central role in the budget process. Governor's Role: The governor has the power to develop and propose the budget, outlining priorities and recommendations. However, the legislature has the ultimate authority to approve, modify, or reject the proposed budget. Comptroller's Role: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts plays a crucial role in the budget process by providing revenue estimates and economic forecasts. These estimates guide the development of the budget and help ensure that appropriations align with expected revenues. Incremental Budgeting: Texas typically employs incremental budgeting, where the new budget is based on the previous budget with adjustments for changes in population, inflation, and other factors. This approach allows for a degree of continuity in government operations. Analysis: Balanced Budget Requirement: Texas operates under a balanced budget requirement, meaning that the state cannot adopt a budget that exceeds estimated revenues. This fiscal discipline aims to ensure financial responsibility. Limited Revenue Sources: Texas relies heavily on sales taxes and has limited revenue sources. This reliance on consumption-based taxes contributes to a revenue structure that is often considered regressive, as it can disproportionately affect lower-income individuals. Infrequency of Budgeting: The biennial budgeting cycle allows for longer-term planning but may also present challenges in responding to rapidly changing economic conditions or unforeseen events. Mid-biennium adjustments are possible but are limited in scope. Political Dynamics:

The budget process in Texas is influenced by political dynamics, with negotiations and compromises necessary to pass a budget. Political priorities can shape budgetary allocations, and contentious issues may impact the final budget. Personal Opinion: The Texas budget process reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility through a balanced budget requirement. However, the heavy reliance on regressive taxes raises equity concerns. There's a need for careful consideration of the social impact of budget decisions, particularly on vulnerable populations. The biennial budgeting approach provides stability but may require adjustments to accommodate changing circumstances. Overall, the Texas budget process is a product of its political and economic context, with strengths and challenges that should be continually assessed to ensure effective governance.

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