Local Control

Texas is a small-government state.  Its politicians, of all stripes, bemoan the intrusion of the federal government, yet the 84^th legislature acted to impose its will on local government in a number of areas. 

Read:   http://www.texasvox.org/tag/local-control/ (a series of posts on local control issues around the state).

http://www.tribtalk.org/2015/03/12/liberty-trumps-local-control/ [this is an op-ed by Rep. Matt Rinaldi, on why state control over local ordinances upholds liberty]

Discuss the issue of Local Control from both sides.  What are the arguments for and against local control?

Is it hypocritical for the state government to impose its will on the policies?

Choose one issue below, and explore how local control has been handled by state government.

• Fracking
• Sanctuary Cities
• Non-discrimination ordinances (e.g., Houston’s HERO)
• Zoning
• Red Light Cameras
• Plastic bags

[SLO3 fulfills Program Level Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 6; Course Level Outcomes 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]