Instructions
Select a policy issue that is on the
forefront of your office’s agenda. For example, traffic,
flood control, and immigration are important
policy issues (Mine is going to be on Electricity policy in a Texas
specifically Houston Texas). What is the position of your
assigned official, department, or office
concerning one of these positions? How does public
policy impact this issue? (I have attached the proposal
paper I wrote that can give you an insight)
The research for the term
paper should include a minimum of
two interviews with elected officials, legislative or policy
aides, and/or community leaders involved in the specific issue. The interviews
can be completed in person, by e-mail, or by phone/video. (Can make up something).
Describe the issue in detail
by addressing the following:
·
Explain the issue,
including a brief historical.
· Who is for it? Who is
against it?
· Interview your public
official or organization’s leader about the
· Interview an official
or community leader with an opposing.
· What tactics are
being used to promote or deter public opinion?
· Discuss what you
consider the issue/policy’s strong and weak.
· What would you add to
the proposed legislation/ordinance?
· What is the cost if
it is or is not implemented?
· Will the
issue/legislation ultimately become law? Why or why not?
Term papers may include other information relating to your policy
topic. However, all of the bulleted items above must be addressed.
The term paper should be a minimum
of 15 pages (typed, double-spaced, no larger than
12-pointfont, and no greater than 1” margins). Please number your pages, and do
not try to be creative withword processing features to make your papers appear
lengthier. Longer papers are fine, but shouldbe well edited. When citing
sources, use a consistent format (whether it is MLA, APA, Chicago orAPSA).
The paper must include the following five sections. Please explicitly
include the section titles in the paper.
Introduction (1 page)
· Explain the issue.
· Why is it important?
Would this issue be relevant to local communities, or the state, or the
country, or the world?
· Briefly state your
findings, policy recommendations, and conclusion.
Background (1-2
pages)
· Provide a brief
historical perspective. For example, comparison between states? Or over time?
Or across countries?
Policy Arguments
(about 5 pages)
Understanding
the Arguments
· Who is for it? Who is
against it?
· Explain and further
develop the arguments.
Official Interviews
· Discuss the interview
with your public official or organization’s leader about the issue.
· Discuss the interview
with an official or community leader with an opposing view.
Policy Implications or Policy Recommendations (about 5
pages)
· What tactics are
being used to promote or deter public opinion?
· Discuss what you
consider the issue/policy’s strong and weak points (benefits and costs).
· What would you add to
the proposed legislation/ordinance?
· What is the cost if
it is or is not implemented?
· Will the
issue/legislation ultimately become law? Why or why not?
Concluding Remarks
(1-2 pages)
· Restate what
mentioned in the introduction section.
· Why is this issue
important?
· How do the officials
view about this issue?
· What would be the
policy recommendations? Benefits and costs?
· How would this issue
be related to other current issues?
Additional resources:
· Texas
Public Policy Foundation (conservative think tank): http://www.texaspolicy.com
·
Every Texan (liberal think tank): http://www.everytexan.org
