You have recently been elected as a Republican to the Texas House of Representatives from a competitive district (even number of Democrats, Republicans and Independents) just outside of Dallas. One of the first bills that you must vote on is House Bill 3- a Bill to require the death penalty for anyone convicted of selling opioids for a third time. Your constituents support the bill as does the Governor your party, but you oppose it on grounds that the death penalty should be reserved for heinous crimes (pre-meditated murder). The Speaker of the House opposes the bill as well.
Instructions:
- Write a paper that answers the questins below.
- In explaining how you will vote on the bill, be sure to explain the following:
- What Representational Role you will adopt (trustee or delegate). (Unit 4 Written Lectures, Slide 24)
- How will the Speaker of the House, the Lt. Governor and Governor of Texas influence the fate of the bill? (Unit 4 Written Lectures, Slides 8, 9, 10 & 19)
- How do you think constituents might try to influence your vote? (Unit 4 Written Lectures, Slide 17)
- Which factors noted above and in your notes (constituents, governor, party leaders and your own opinion) will influence your vote? Rank them in importance. (Unit 4, Written Lectures, Slide 21)
- Will you vote for or against the bill? Please explain your answer thoroughly. You should refer back to the representational role here. (Unit 4 Written Lectures, Slide 24)
- The paper should include subject headers (ie. Representational Roles, Influence of Legislative Leaders, etc.).
- Follow the rubric for grading criteria.
Percent | 0 % | 60% | 80% | 100% | |
Representational Roles | 25% | No Effort | Notes at least one of three roles or lists, but does not explain all three. | Discusses all three roles, but does not apply to issue. | Thoroughly explains each role as well as why and how they chose to vote. |
How do different people influence public policy? | 30% | No Effort | Limited discussion of how each institutional factor can influence their decision. | Lists all people, but limited discussion of how they influence or does not discuss all people. | Thoroughly explains how leaders, governor, citizens and personal opinion can influence decision. |
Rank and Explain Influences of institutional factors. | 20% | No Effort | Ranks institutional factors, but limited explanation or does not rank all factors. | Ranks institutional factors, but does not thoroughly explain ranking of each. | Notes ranking of each institutional factor and thoroughly explains why each is ranked. |
Explain your vote. | 15% | No Effort | Yes or no vote with no explanation. | Yes or no vote with no reference to representational role and/ or institutional factors. | Expresses yes or no vote and explains importance of representational role and institutional factors. |
Grammar/ Structure | 10% | No Effort | Numerous grammatical and typographical errors, no headers. | Some grammatical and/ or typographical errors and/ or no headers. | Well written and well organized |