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Asmita Raut Prof. Sherry Sherifian Govt 2306-71002 April 05,2017 Lobbyists and Interest groups in Texas
Interest groups are collective members of a people having same thoughts and work to influence the decision, plans and day to day activities of the legislators. As stated in the law of Texas, it is required for the lobbyists to have the proof of spending to the legislation and all other officials. However, only 5 percent of lobby’s have reported their spending to influence the legislators for passing their law and decisions. Lobbyists don’t have to report the legislators name as long as the bill cross $114 per day. Expenditure incurred by the lobbyists on food and beverages has been in huge amount and almost 95% of such expenses has
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Restrictions shall not merely cover the spending part of the interest groups but shall also identify the beneficiaries receiving the benefits. Nevertheless, it should not prevent the interest groups to play their part as a bridge between the large society and the legislature. It should be in the best interest of the democracy that every society should have the right to be heard and the interest groups shall be the mediator to access the voice of the public to the government.
State government should focus on making limitations for interest groups spending in the campaign contribution in legislative session. A lobbyist spending in food or extra curriculum activities are never revealed whether it is for right cause or not. 1 “To know that, you have to know whom they were entertaining and then watch that beneficiary’s votes, debates and other actions”. (Ramsey, 1) All the financial activities carried by the lobbyists should be clearly monitored by the government.
Interest groups in Texas that have huge impact in policy making are: Agriculture and Food, Abortion, Business and consumers, Education, Guns, Health and Health care, Housing and property, Commercial banks, oil and gas and so
The correct answer is: Because the Texas economy is more diverse, interest groups have less power than in previous eras.
All members of the Texas state legislature should have one common motive. That is, to represent the citizens of their state. Champagne et. al. states that “…members…are responsible for bringing the interests and concerns of their constituencies directly into the democratic political processes” (2017, p.211). In order to effectively do so, a member of the Texas House will represent roughly 168,000 citizens while a senator may represent more than 811,000 constituents (Champagne et al., 2017,
Rupchan Simkhada Sherry Sharifian Govt 2306 4th May 2018 When You Win “The Committees of Texas House are: Agriculture & Livestock, Business & Industry, Calendars, Corrections, County Affairs, Criminal Jurisprudence, Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Cybersecurity, Defense & Veterans' Affairs, Economic & Small Business Development Economic Competitiveness, Elections, Energy Resources, Higher Education, Homeland Security & Public Safety, Insurance, International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs, Investments & Financial Services, Pensions, Public Education, Public Health, Transportation, Higher Education Formula Funding, Interim, Partnership Advisory Commission, State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory etc.”( house.state.tx.us)
The Texas senate passed bill to control oil and gas companies activity, but the governor Greg Abbot is not letting to veto the bill. Even the Texas legislation has decided not to take care of community’s’ people. Also, they don’t have right to protect them. They only take care of money but, not the health of people. This is not only the problems of today’s. Infect, this problem is coming from ancient time. This problem is called the long tradition problem. Per the article by Texans for public justice reported that, “the energy and natural resources industries were the number one financial contributors to non-judicial Texas politicians in 2014.”it also states that 31 Texas senators earn nearly $ 60,000 for each person and 144 Texas representatives earn $ 25,000 each. The oil and gas industries are the economic sources. It proves that state of government only take care of finance and they oil and gas interest, but not the health of public. This statement proves that they control over local government.
Interest groups ultimately depends on the people, do they support them? Interest groups can be either tightly organization or not also depends. There’s different kinds of interest group, some only depend on one issue alone, and others may have exceed amount of issues. It’s a huge diversity among Texas, changing the outcome of politicians. Many President speak or knowledge these issues in their campaign or websites. “Texas is obviously a very large state, but the issues that drive it, and for which special interest groups are most prominent, are oil, education, guns, states' rights, and agriculture.”(“Which Interest Groups…”) Texas is dependable in oil, helps secure jobs and also funds education. The 2nd amendment is the protection and motivation
Amaya 2 Marlene M. Amaya Professor Sharifian GOVT-2306-73011 5 May 2018 The Committees I will be discussing the three committees that I would potentially serve in the Texas House and Senate; should I be elected for the position and or positions. There are several committees in the Texas House and the Senate that all play a significant role in the services and aid provided to the residents of each state; particularly speaking when it comes to the state of Texas. I will explain the functions of each committee and why my placement in such committees are justified. Additionally, the reason it serves my district’s needs, and how it emphasizes my experience and interests. As well as, the constituent service I would be most inclined to do, the type
In a pluralist democracy like in the United States, interest groups have played a major role throughout the history through highly organized factions and are aimed at different levels of government. Lobbying is one of the tactics of the interest groups to aid their agenda through implementing new laws and regulations. "If you want to have your face in the light, you should have your back in the dark". Similarly, the influences of the interests groups and lobbyists have good and bad effects on the people and the society.
Gaurav Sharma Professor Sherry Sharifian Texas Government 2306 SLO#3 April 24, 2017 Local Control in Texas In Texas, there are very many functional Interest groups and lobbyists that operate effectively influencing the policy-making processes. The Interest groups and lobbyists are in close association with policy-makers whereby they act as negotiators of democracy to the citizens who cannot reach the legislatures (Texas Vox: 1). This has impacted local control in Texas greatly. However, the nature of laws that have been passed recently in Texas shows that the policy-makers are diverging from interest from the citizens and favoring individual groups and companies. The following essay will address the impact depicted by Interest groups and lobbyists
In this essay I will compare and contrast the different legislative agendas of various interest groups involved with the Texas Government. An interest group (also called an advocacy group, lobbying group, pressure group, or special interest) is a collection of members that are determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected. The essay will discuss the four kinds of interest groups, trade, professional, single and public, as well as provide one detailed example of each type. It includes examples from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas AFT, MADD and TexPIRG interest groups, which are just a few of the many groups in existence out, but it provides an idea of what different types of
Many controversial topics have surfaced recently, but one that tends to fly under the radar is lobbying. Lobbying is defined as a group of persons who work or conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislature to vote according to a group’s special interests (“Lobby”). Although average citizens are not fully aware of the issue, it is quite contentious in politics. For those who are against it, they believe that restrictions should be placed on lobbying because it distorts democracy. Lobbyists use money and cost-effective strategies to sway the opinions of lawmakers. Others see lobbyists as effective, political tour guides who help pass legislation. An analysis of the lobbying process reveals the outcomes are often
Limiting interest group is like cutting off the blood that flows through America’s vein. Interest groups plays a pivotal role in todays U.S society ranging from but not limited to; helping Congress and the administration to draft legislation and policy initiatives, provide information both to government and the public on a broad range of topical issues, and contribute significantly to political
An interest group also known as a special interest group or a lobby is an organized group of individuals, organizations, or businesses who share a goal. The interest group forms an alliance in support of their cause to influence public policy and government officials in the group 's favor. The goal of the group could be focused on small group, such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturer 's Association; or the goal could be focused on a large public group, such as family and friends of public school-aged children in the United States. "The most important lobbying forces in any society are the various entities of government: national, regional, and local government agencies and institutions such as the military" (Thomas).???????????
“Interest groups are no less a threat than they are an expression of freedom” (Berry, 1984).
Moreover, the Schoolhouse Rock presentation identified the major committees that play a vast role within legislation, but furthermore failed to acknowledge the significant influence of interest groups, lobbyist, and campaign contributors. Interest groups are pertinent to the legislation process because of their vast influence. While interest groups strive to “influence public policy” to benefit its members, it accomplishes this task by using inside strategies that “pursue a narrow policy of change and directly influence legislation” and through its relationship within the iron triangle that works to “seal off” external influencers that are irrelevant to the groups view towards public policy; thus leaving a “closed
Lobbying is an extremely controversial topic in American politics. Some citizens believe it is right for a company, and only helps the economy. On the other hand, citizens say that lobbying opens the door for corruption. However, in order to fully understand the pros and cons of lobbying first the basic definition of lobbying must be understood. The word lobby is defined ethical infringements by politicians and lobbyists. One of the most eminent ethical issues was gift giving. Lobbyists in order to influence a politician many