Go To The Website Of The Texas Legislature

See Attachmentgo To Thewebsite Of The State Of Texas Legislatureand Lo

See Attachmentgo To Thewebsite Of The State Of Texas Legislatureand Lo

See ATTACHMENT Go to the website of the State of Texas Legislature and look around. Download at least one of the Party Platforms if you haven't done this already Democratic or Republican Select at least two policies you would like to see become law . They don't have to be from the same party, but they can. Go back to the Legislature website and scroll to find the section dedicated to the Legislative Committees. House or Senate Find one or two committees you think would be the first to introduce your policy and discuss it.

Go to the Discussion Board and talk about your experience. Topic 7.2 The PowerPoint talks about the responsibilities of the Texas Legislature in terms of generating laws to govern the State, making desired outcomes official policy. In addition to generating legislation, our State reps have other "powers" called "non-legislative" powers. Find the slide that talks about them. Think about those powers and discuss how important you think they are, or are not.

Paper For Above instruction

The Texas Legislature plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies that govern the state, functioning through both legislative and non-legislative powers. This paper explores the legislative process in Texas by examining party platforms, selecting policies likely to be introduced by legislative committees, and discussing the importance of non-legislative powers held by state representatives.

First, after reviewing the Texas State Legislature website and downloading a party platform—either Democratic or Republican—specific policies that resonate with personal or societal priorities can be identified. For instance, within the Democratic platform, a policy advocating for expanded healthcare access may be selected, while from the Republican platform, a policy aimed at reducing government regulation could be chosen. These policies exemplify the contrasting priorities of the major parties and underscore the diversity of legislative agendas that can shape state policy when introduced.

Next, identifying the legislative committees most likely to introduce these policies requires understanding their jurisdiction. For policies related to healthcare expansion, committees such as the House Public Health Committee or Senate Health and Human Services Committee are probable initial hosts. Similarly, for regulatory reduction policies, the House Business and Industry Committee or Senate Business and Commerce Committee might take the lead. These committees serve as the gatekeepers for policy proposals, conducting hearings, amendments, and voting before policies reach the full chamber for consideration.

The selection of specific committees emphasizes their critical role in legislative processes. They filter, shape, and advance policies based on their jurisdictions and expertise, making their understanding vital for advocacy and policy implementation.

Beyond legislative functions, the Texas Legislature and its representatives possess non-legislative powers vital to effective governance. These powers include oversight authority, appointment powers, and the ability to convene special sessions. Oversight allows legislators to monitor the implementation of laws, ensuring executive agencies enforce legislation properly and that policies achieve their intended outcomes. Appointment powers enable legislators or the Governor to select officials who influence policy execution and administrative priorities. The authority to convene special sessions also allows the Legislature to respond swiftly to emergent issues outside the regular legislative calendar.

Discussing the significance of these non-legislative powers reveals their importance in maintaining a balanced and responsive government. Oversight guarantees accountability, which is necessary for democracy to function efficiently. Appointment powers influence administrative priorities and policy outcomes, shaping how laws are implemented on the ground. The ability to call special sessions ensures that urgent issues do not remain unaddressed during legislative hiatus, thus enhancing government flexibility and responsiveness.

In conclusion, understanding the legislative process in Texas—from analyzing party platforms and policy proposals to scrutinizing committees and non-legislative powers—is fundamental in appreciating how state laws are made and implemented. While legislative powers are at the core of policy development, non-legislative powers significantly support effective governance, accountability, and responsiveness within the state government.

References

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  • Sindelar, J. L. (2019). Non-legislative Powers and Their Significance in State Governments. State and Local Government Review, 51(1), 40-49.
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