2305
Here's a last minute change in topic - last week John Boehner, the Speaker of the House announced that he was not only resigning as speaker, but from Congress in general. I posted a few things recently about insurrections against him among Republicans in the House - he was hardly conservative enough for them. Nevertheless he had his proponents.
I want you to read up a bit on the fallout from the resignation and address one of the following:
1 - How effective a speaker was he? Where might he rank among past speakers?2 - Who is likely to replace him? How will this shakeup affect the power structure among Republicans in the House?3 - What impact is this likely to have on the performance of the 114th Congress? Think especially of the small range of issues that are now on the front burner: for example, passing appropriations bills.
I'll post a few items on the blog to help you find a few things - but do what you can on your own. Just select one of these.
150 words at a minimum as always.
2306
I've posted a few items related to recent efforts by interest groups to use the Texas courts to undo cuts to mental health care spending made by the legislature to programs for poor and disadvantaged children.
- Click here for a recent article.
Since this story touches on the nature of checks and balances in the state - and since that was a topic we've touched on recently in class - I want you to read up on the issue and describe it fully. Look at what each of the different branches of government are doing regarding the cuts and detail how each is impacting - if not negating - what the others are doing.
Be as descriptive as you can - I'll post a few more article on this subject on the blog.
150 words at a bare minimum.
