The Government of Texas

1.Choose ONE of the following 2 topics to answer for the Writing Assignment:

1.  Explain the influences that shaped the Texas Constitution of 1876. Explain the individuals and groups that played a role in drafting the document, and the sentiments held by those individuals and groups that resulted in the specific governmental design set forth in the constitution.  There are people who have advocated revising the Texas Constitution for years.  What are some of their specific reasons for wanting the Constitution revised?  Do you think the Constitution should be revised to be more like the U.S. Constitution?  Why or why not?

2.  Provide an understanding of the relationship between the national and state governments. What is the term used to describe the relationship between the national and state governments in the US?  What part of the Constitution grants powers to the states and what are these powers called?  If there is a dispute between national law and state law, how does that dispute get solved?  Give an example of a recent conflict between a state (or several states) and the federal government. Explain which powers are held by the national government, which powers are reserved to the states, and those powers shared by both the national and state governments.

2. Answer for the Writing Assignment:

How does Texas rank in the number of prisoners, use of the death penalty, and in the success of the overall criminal justice system?  Does the criminal justice system work equally for all Texans?  Why or why not (be specific)?  Discuss in detail at least two suggested changes to the system to make it more equal or cost effective?

In addition to using information from the chapter to prepare your assignment, here are some additional articles that may be helpful.

·  Texas drug cases drive record number of U.S. exonerations in 2014

·  GOP Moving to Ease its Stance on Sentencing

·  What Texas is Teaching the Country about Mass Incarcerations

·  Most Prisoners are Mentally Ill

·  Texas sends poor teens to jail for truancy  — This issue was addressed by the legislature in May 2015, but the article is still an interesting read.

·  30 Years on Death Row — a case in Louisiana, but worth a look