1. Chapter 11
Public Policy in Texas

2. Analyze issues and policies of Texas.
Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to…
Analyze issues and policies of Texas.

3. Steps in the Policy-Making Process: The “Policy Cycle”
Public policy is everything the government does and doesn’t do!
Stages of the policy cycle
Problem recognition/identification
Agenda setting
Formulation/Adoption
Implementation
Evaluation
Change/Termination
Key term:
public policy

5. Taking Personal Responsibility…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Taking Personal Responsibility…
How can you impact public policy decisions? At what point in the policy cycle could you voice your preferences?

6. Policy Liberalism Index
Common measure of state policy ideology
Left-right, liberal-conservative
A dimension of "general policy liberalism" in state policy efforts is derived from a factor analysis. States with a generally liberal policy record tend to be non-southern coastal or Great Lakes states and tend to have a large, urban, diverse, advantaged population; a liberal, Moralistic, active political culture; a highly developed but stagnating economy; and a government with high levels of institutional and fiscal capability. The factor is best explained by the Sullivan index of socio-cultural diversity in conjunction with either the Elazar-Sharkansky index of political culture or rate of population loss, with either model accounting for over 70 percent of the variance
Ranking of the 50 states

8. Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
Regulatory Policy
“You dance with them that brung ya”
Welfare Policy
Poverty in Texas
Health Care Policy
Texas still ranks #1 in uninsured adults and children

11. Primary and Secondary Education in Texas
School District Financing Explained
High Stakes Test
Quality
Effectiveness
State vs Fed led
Costs
Controversial Curriculum
Bilingual Education
Sex Education
Key term:
Robin Hood Plan

12. Being Socially Responsible…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Being Socially Responsible…
To what extent should Texas be responsible for ensuring equal funding for wealthy school districts and poor school districts?

13. Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
Higher Education in Texas
Tuition and Fees
2003 GOP-led legislature deregulated tution
Tuition has risen ~75%
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
120 hours, ½ of which is core
Higher Education Funds
Access to Higher Education
Closing the Gaps
Key terms:
“deregulated” tuition
budget fix
Permanent University Fund (PUF)
Hopwood decision

14. This cartoon suggests a number of the factors that colleges consider when making admissions decisions. Why is membership in a minority group controversial, whereas other factors—such as the ability to play a certain sport or being the son or daughter of a graduate—are not? In the future, how can colleges achieve the goals of a diverse campus and a fair admissions process?

15. Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
Criminal Justice and Social Policy
Criminal Justice
Firearms Policies
Concealed carry/open carry
Gay Rights
Federal law
Abortion Policies
Planned Parenthood
Sex Education
“Silver-ring thing” and abstinence only
Key term:
Roe v. Wade

16. Communicating Effectively…
CORE OBJECTIVE
Communicating Effectively…
Summarize the legislation that Texas has passed on abortion. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of state involvement in this policy issue.

17. Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
Immigration Policy
Water Policy

18. CORE OBJECTIVE
Thinking Critically…
Given the water-related challenges facing Texas, what measures would you recommend to ensure all Texans have access to water? What might be some negative or unintended consequences of your recommendations?