Category: Texas Government

Describe the type of government created in the 1876 Constitution and then examine Sec. 6. FREEDOM OF WORSHIP, which reads, ” All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious society or mode of worship. But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship.”
Do you agree with this part of the Texas constitution above? If yes or no, then to what extent do you disagree or agree with it, especially as it relates to the argument on abortion in Texas, in which some people are using a religious lens? (10 points).
In 2020 the two campaigns were relatively equally matched, with Cornyn spending $33.5 million and Hegar $30.7 million. Outside groups not tied to the candidates spent $30.1 million in support of Hegar and $15.0 million in support of Cornyn.
Should election campaigns be about money? Why or why not?  And since campaigns are expensive, which means that candidates need to raise a lot of money to be competitive. The amount of money a candidate raises can be a deciding factor in the campaign, do you think we vote for people that are fit for office in Texas, or we vote for the rich that have money to spend on campaigns?  Please take a position and expand your thoughts. (10 points).

Assignment: Develop a project plan to improve pedestrian mobility.
Purpose: To realize the influence of government on the community and your ability to initiate positive change through organization, action, and use of government resources.
Instructions:
1. Pick an area that needs a sidewalk.
2. Complete the Sidewalk Project Survey.
3. Identify need / justification for the improvement.
4. Refer to the Sidewalk Project Rubric for grading criteria.
5. Develop a plan / proposal.
Cost Estimator:
Sidewalk estimator: Site to estimate cost to build sidewalk
Data:
C.R.I.S Query: Excellent site to query, map, graph, get tabular results of crashes for any location in Texas
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety: US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration website on safety studies (NHTSA Crash Data Report (2015)) 
Traffic Safety Facts: 2018 NHTSA Fact sheet on Pedestrians
Guides, studies, and general info:
Houston Vision Zero: City of Houston’s action plan to reduce traffic deaths and serious enjuries.
Public Transit & Climate Change: FTA paper on Public Transportation’s Role in Responding to Climate Change
FHWA Guide: A Residents Guide for Creating Safer Communities for Walking and Biking
Science Direct Journal of Transport and Health: Study of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents
Where the Sidewalk Starts: Urban Planner blog promoting pedestrian rights
2013 ADA Presentation: University of Delaware Municipal Engineering Circuit Rider presentation on Streets, Sidewalks, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
America Walks: Nonprofit leading communities to create safe, accessible, and enjoyable walking conditions
Checklists:
Walkability Checklist: A Walk checklist for assessing the “walkability” of your route
Los Angeles Planning Department Walkability Checklist: Guide for City of Los Angeles and area developers on best practice for urban development
Question 1
Question 1 options:
Use Plotaroute.com (or similar) to map the location of the sidewalk improvement. Copy and paste the url for your route here: 
Question 2
Question 2 options:
Use walkscore.com to identify the “Walk Score” for an address along your area and enter it in the blank.
3. Explore local, county, state, and federal websites to identify funding sources. List opportunities or programs that may provide funding for your project.
4. Identify any advocacy or support groups who may help you garner support for your project.
5. Improvements within the right-of-way of a public road or street are usually made by the agencies that have jurisdiction over them.
Identify which department or agency is responsible for maintaining the area you are interested in and identify them below.
6. Identify governing bodies and individuals that represent or have authority for the area of interest as applicable.
City Council Member
County Precinct Commissioner
Municipal Utility District (MUD))
Home Owner Association (HOW)
Contact at local Transportation Agency
Texas State House Representative
Texas State Senator
US House Representative (US Congress)
School Board Chairman
Others