Sunday, February 5, 2023

Written Assignment #4

Where do you fit in the political typology?

We will be getting into the political institutions soon, which will include a look at political parties and ideology. The Pew Research Center has an online quiz which will tell you which political typology you fit into based on your answers to the questions presented.

I want you to take it and comment on the results. 

Click here for it

What types of questions did they ask you? Do you think they were appropriate? Did the results suprise you? Why or why not? 

Have fun with this. 

- It is due for full credit on midnight the following Monday.
- It will be subject to a penalty if turned in late.
- Is can be turned in for partial credit until the end of the semester.
- The grade is commensurate to the quality of the work.
- There is a 150 word minimum requirement.
- You may write as much as you wish.



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Past Assignment: Fall 2023

Do we Have a Constitutional Right to Travel?

Recent events - especially following the demise of Roe v Wade - have raised this question. Limits on abortion in Texas have led travel out of state in order to gain access, but some local governments are trying to restrict out of state travel in order to prevent this. 

- Conservative activists are pushing ‘trafficking’ laws to prevent women from traveling for an abortion.

- Could GOP States Really Stop Pregnant People From Traveling to Get Abortions?

- Travel Rights in a Culture War.

- Interstate Travel Post-Roe Isn’t as Secure as You May Think.

- The Right to Travel in a Post-Roe World.

Is this an unconstitutional violation of a fundamental right? The problem in stating so is that such a right is not clearly stated in the United States Bill of Rights, or the rest of the constitution. 
One might argue that it is contained within the unenumerated rights contained within the 9th Amendment, but those are not specified. 

So we are kinda stuck.

What say you? Do we have a constitutional right to travel or not? Explain.

Please address this in the usual manner: 

- It is due for full credit on midnight the following Monday.
- It will be subject to a penalty if turned in late.
- Is can be turned in for partial credit until the end of the semester.
- The grade is commensurate to the quality of the work.
- There is a 150 word minimum requirement.
- You may write as much as you wish.

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GOVT 2306 

Will the Texas 2024-2025 Budget be Balanced? How do we know? 

The chapter on finance states that the Texas Constitution requires the state to balance its 2 year budget. How does it do that? 

The story below details how that was accomplished in the most recent regular session of the Texas Legislature - the 88th session. Note that much of this involves projections which may or may not be accurate.  

Texas comptroller certifies new $321.3 billion state spending plan, sends to Abbott’s desk.

The more detail, the better the grade.

Requirements: 

- It is due for full credit on midnight the following Monday.
- It will be subject to a penalty if turned in late.
- Is can be turned in for partial credit until the end of the semester.
- The grade is commensurate to the quality of the work.
- There is a 150 word minimum requirement.
- You may write as much as you wish.