Last week I asked you to look at the relationship between the national government and Texas, specifically the conflict over the Voting Rights Act and its impact on recent changes in Texas' election laws.
This week I want you to look at an interesting conflict between the national government - specifically the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - and a nearby local government: the one in Galveston.
Among the things destroyed by Hurricane Ike was public housing on the island. None of it has been rebuilt because of conflicts over how it was to be rebuilt. HUD wants the 569 units destroyed by Ike rebuilt, but a majority in city government want vouchers to be issued which eligible residents can use to get apartments.
The controversy has engulfed the island, and led to a mayor being voted out of office, so its quite the big deal. It also tells us something about the nature of conflict between the national and local governments. I want you to do some research and detail the nature of the conflict. What relevant laws are driving it? What political disputes fuel it? Feel free to take your won approach to the question.
Here are some recent links that might help get you going:
- Galveston Housing Authority.
- Galveston moves toward compliance with HUD ultimatum.
- GHA chairman resigns but decides to stay on.
- Isle voucher advocates may have had their last win.
There's much more.
