US Government

Week 4 Assignment Sheet (16 wks)
GOVT 2306
This week, we are moving into Local Governments.  Many citizens underestimate the importance of Local Governments, because he or she may be more familiar with the national government key players and politics.  However, it is important to remember that many of the aspects of our daily lives are run by facets of our local government.  Our streets, schools, water supply, police force, trash pickup and other things are run by aspects of local government.  Interestingly enough, turnout for local government elections are drastically lower than that of national elections.  Think about the irony of that statement.  Part of POTUS’ platform in 2008 was healthcare reform.  Then, many different steps happened before the ACA went into effect.
€¢    POTUS elected
€¢    ACA passed (which was quite an ordeal)
€¢    National Federation of Independent Business sued Sebelius
o    SCOTUS upheld
€¢    Finally, ACA went into effect September 1, 2014
On the other hand, platform promises of local officials may be seen much more quickly.  Yet, there are horrible turnout rates for local elections!
Some key terms are:
€¢    Grassroots
€¢    Dillon’s Rule
€¢    Intergovernmental relations
€¢    City government
€¢    General law city
€¢    Home rule city
€¢    ordinance
€¢    recall
€¢    initiative
€¢    referendum
€¢    strong mayor-council form
€¢    forms of municipal government
€¢    weak mayor council form
€¢    council manager form
€¢    middle class
€¢    working class
€¢    commission form
€¢    nonpartisan election
€¢    redistricting
€¢    at-large election
€¢    single-member district election
€¢    cumulative voting
€¢    term limit
€¢    property tax
€¢    municipal bond
€¢    tax reinvestment zone
€¢    county
€¢    commissioners court
€¢    county judge
€¢    county attorney
€¢    district attorney
€¢    county sheriff
€¢    statutory county court
€¢    district court clerk
€¢    justice of the peace
€¢    constable
€¢    county clerk
€¢    county tax assessor collector
€¢    county tax appraisal district
€¢    county treasurer
€¢    county auditor
€¢    bond
€¢    colonia
€¢    special district
€¢    ISDs
€¢    JC or CC districts
€¢    Noneducation special districts
€¢    Metro government
€¢    COGs
€¢    ETJs
€¢    Annex
1.    Create a Microsoft Word document that follows the prompt:

Write a 3-4 page paper (of body) comparing and contrasting the eras of 7 different Texas constitutions.  Be sure to point out what makes them similar and different. You are NOT to do a summary of the characteristics of the 7 different constitutions.  Are there similar themes (similarities)?  Are there differences? Make sure to use APA format.  The OWL Purdue website is an excellent source as well as sources available in the Content.  Your finished paper should look like the sample paper.