1.Texas is unusual in that it has two high courts: one to hear civil cases and one to hear criminal
cases. Why do you think Texas has such a system? What are the consequences (good and
bad) of having two separate high courts?
2. Traffic in Texas has increased in recent years, causing significant delays and higher fuel
expenses. What are possible solutions to these issues? What are the drawbacks of those
solutions?
3. Why are interest groups so influential in Texas politics? What types of institutional reforms
could the legislature enact to reduce the influence of interest groups?
4. What is the purpose of a primary election? Why is the Republican Party primary in Texassignificant? What effect do you think this has on primary voter turnout?
. 5 Do any of you consistently vote for one party at the national level and another party at the
state level? Why or why not? How prevalent do you think this practice is?
At the beginning of the DF there will be a word bank of specific terminology that must be employed in your initial posting. When listing your initial post be sure to select the relevant terms and underline and bold them in your initial posting. This must be present in order to receive credit. You must also cite or reference your text book at least one-time and another source provided (for a minimum of two sources) employing APA format. Initial Posting must be completed by Wednesday on the week assigned. Failure comply with this rubric standard will result in no points being awarded.
1) Civil Law, Criminal Law, Complaint, Answer, Contingent Fee, Tort, Preponderance of the Evidence, Probate, Felony, Misdemeanor, Grand Jury, Indictment, Bench Trial, Plea Bargain, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Texas Supreme Court, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeal, District Courts, Specialty Courts, County Judge, County Courts, Statutory County-Courts-at-Law, Statutory Probate Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, Municipal Courts, Ordinance, Merit Selection, Retention Election, Straight-ticket Voting, Judicial Campaign Fairness Act
2). Centerline Miles, Lane Miles, Vehicle Miles Traveled, Naturalized Citizen, Texas Dream Act, Sanctuary Cities, Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Permanent University Fund (PUF), University Systems, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Tuition and Fees, Special Items, Higher Education Fund (HEF), Law of Capture
.3) Interest Group, Free Rider Problem, Bundling, Lobbyist, Political Action Committee (PAC), Issue Advocacy, Dark Money, Interest-Group Capture
4). Primary Election, Electoral Cycle, Runoff Primary, Open Primary, Closed Primary, General Election, Special Election, Nineteenth Amendment, Suffrage, Poll Tax, Early Registration, White Primary, Jaybird Party, Voting Rights Act of 1965, Motor Voter Law, Early Voting, Straight-ticket Voting, Reapportionment, Redistricting, Preclearance
. 5) Party Platform, Partisan Polarization, Political Socialization, Precinct, Precinct Chair, County Executive Committee, County Chair, State Chair and Vice Chair, State Executive Committee, Precinct Convention, County Convention, State Convention, Dixiecrats, La Raza Unida, “First Past the Post”, Single-Member District, Proportional Representation, Tea Party Movement, Shivercrat Movement, Presidential Republicanism, Blue Dog Democrats