online class amendments cp 2 hw - Copy
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Blinn College *
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2305
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Political Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by UltraRedPanda2279
Paige Hodges
Gov 2306
Online Class Amendments Background :
This less will focus on how to amend the Texas Constitution (this is important because you as a Texan get to vote on amendments!). It will also offer some big picture themes for wrapping up our discussion on the Texas Constitution). Part One: How to Amendment the Texas Constitution Watch the final video lecture on e-campus (posted right below this word document). Answer the following questions:
1)
Why does the Texas Constitution need to be amendment more often than the federal constitution? (Note: For comparison the TX constitution has 509 amendments while the federal constitution only has 27)
The Texas Constitution has undergone numerous revisions because changes are generally simple
to make. In addition, the Texas Constitution is relatively limited in how much authority it grants the state government. As a result, it accomplishes this by frequently amending the constitution. The Texas Constitution is lengthy and complex for the same reason because it contains numerous legislative sections that specify what the government can and cannot do.
2)
What is the process for amendment the constitution? It has to pass both houses by a 2/3
rd
majority and be approved by a majority of voters.
3)
Why is the Texas Constitution so focused on limiting government power? It helps prevent any branch from having or becoming to powerful.
Part Two: Who Votes?
Next check out the activity on page 71 of the Textbook entitled “Who votes in Texas Elections, Amending the Constitution.” 4)
What is the difference between participation rates in presidential elections and constitutional amendment elections? The difference between them is way more people vote for presidential elections than the constitutional amendments. All of the constitutional amendment elections are under 20% for voting, but when you look at presidential elections it normally stays around 60%.
5)
What might account for this difference? One reason why I think this happens is because presidential elections are more known and shown on social media now days. I honestly didn’t know there was constitutional amendment elections, so that could be another reason of why the percentage is so low because people might not know like me.
6)
What could be done to increase turnout in constitutional amendment elections?
As for the generations now, having information shown on social media would help letting people
know that an election is coming up. I have never seen anything on the news about constitutional
amendment elections, but if I did I would have looked it up when it comes up on the news to find out more information. Part Three Read the “Citizens Guide” in chapter 2 of the textbook (on pages 74 and 75). This is regarding a recent debate about an amendment to the Texas Constitution prohibiting a state income tax. After reading the citizen’s guide answer the following questions:
7)
According to the chart is Texas a relatively high tax state, a relative low tax state, or somewhere in the middle?
Texas is relatively a high tax state.
8)
Why did some people think that whether or not Texas has an income tax should be a constitutional issue?
Many claimed that what ought to be an open discussion about taxation in the legislature was instead turning into a constitutional discussion over the scope of the executive branch. When taxes cannot be swiftly and effectively raised, crucial programs like public health and education may need to be eliminated in order to balance the budget. Everyone will be harmed if funding for public education and health care is curtailed for the simple reason that taxes can't be raised.
9)
Alternatively, why did some people think that whether or not Texas has an income tax should be
left up to the legislature? (Note: I am not asking whether or not we should income tax, but rather why this decision should be left up to the legislature). Some people, in my opinion, those who didn't want the state to have that much power over how much would be taken out under income taxes—believe that the legislature should decide how much should be withheld.
Part Four Since the Texas Legislature is currently in session, this is the time they consider new constitutional amendments. Read this article
on a new constitutional amendment one representative is trying to get through the Texas Legislature. (We will talk more about this issue when we get to Ch 7). 10) What would the proposed constitutional amendment do?
As lawmakers are not paid well, most of them work additional jobs when the legislature is not in
session. Hinojosa makes reference to the fact that they don't simply work during sessions; they also work behind the scenes at other times. Raising the workers' pay would therefore allow them the choice not to work a second job, and it would also give them the chance to see what it's like to live on a teacher's income and how some teachers still struggle.
11) According to the article what is one of the hurdles to getting it passed? The Hinojosa proposal was submitted, and if it is approved by the Legislature, it will then be up to the people of Texas to decide whether or not to accept the bill to increase salaries based on the results of the voting. One reason it will be difficult is because it will be difficult to persuade voters to support you when there is inflation and people's wallets are suffering. Voters may not support
boosting the pay because they would prefer to remain unaware that someone else is receiving a raise while they are not.
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