Final Presentation - Texas Gov.

1. Participation
in Politics
JESSICA MITCHELL

2. Jessica
Mitchell
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
Born and bred Okie. Mom of two
kiddos – 13-year-old son and 4-
year-old daughter.
Business manager and 3D Painter
going back to school to start a new
chapter in our lives!

3. List what things motivate you the most to become an active participant in our political system. (What
makes you want to vote, what things do you want to change and what things to you want to stay the
same?)
I typically stay out of politics and government, as they have never really been something I
wanted to spend my time focusing on or researching to understand better.
I am more of a free spirit that enjoys living life and not worrying about all the drama that
surrounds politics or government.
That being said, I will fight for things that could affect my kids. So, when it comes to school
bond motions and such, I will take the time to understand the pros and cons that will then
determine my vote in helping our education system.
So, it’s not to say that I don’t get involved at all, I just stay out the drama side of politics.

4. List things you have learned this semester that surprised you about the Texas gov processes. (What did
you not know before, what would you like to know more about and was there anything you were not
expecting to learn, but you did?
I have learned a lot of things about Texas and its government process. Even learned something about
my own state, Oklahoma!
I did not know how unbalanced the criminal justice system is, or the fact that Texas was a one-party
state for so long, still is.
I learned about some of the new laws that came into play recently, some I agree with and some I do not.
I’m interested to see how long some of those new policies actually stay in place or how they evolve in
the coming years. For example: The legalization of medical marijuana – will Texas follow some of the
other states, such as Oklahoma, in allowing citizens to carry medical cards and purchase from
regulated dispensaries? Seems to be getting closer and closer to doing so.

5. Choose one single political issue you believe is the most important to consider for future generations in
Texas (explain the issue and why you think it will be significant for the future.)
There is an issue, a very controversial issue, but one that will no doubt effect future generations.
With the direction the states are going on their abortion laws, it would not be surprising for Roe vs.
Wade to be fully overturned.
I have to say I am on the side that hopes that does not happen.
Terminating a pregnancy is not an easy decision. It’s not one that is made on the spot. It is one that
the mother struggles over, dissecting every possible outcome, analyzing every reason to keep it or not.
Wondering if they can support a baby, do they have those who can support them through it, can they
give they child a good life. Some mothers are young and scared, others are older but aware of the
road ahead of them and their limitations on what they can handle.
There are so many different situations that can lead someone to facing that decision, the government
should not be able to put a blanket policy in place that takes that decision making away.

6. What role do you believe Texas plays in influencing the federal government decision making? Please explain.
Texas seems like a push-back state to me.
One that will challenge the decisions of the federal government and then decide to go their own route.
Whether it is to put further restrictions on a federal policy, or to lessen one within the state.
The Covid-19 Pandemic is a good example. The federal government made many mandates on mask
wearing, public gatherings, business closures. Texas followed suit for the most part, but after 2020 they
started letting up on some of the restrictions even though the federal government insisted on keeping
them in place.
They are not the only ones. Like I said, Texas followed protocol for the most part…Oklahoma, ha!
Oklahoma said “yeah, okay” and went about their day. And it was well known which states were not
cooperating vs those that were. But it’s hard to tell those in the south what to do. We don’t fair well with
authority, never have.

7. Write about a few lessons you have learned about our gov processes this semester that you will carry with
you beyond this course. (One of the major reason you enter college is to learn things that you can carry
forward into your life and career. What are those things from this course?)
I have learned that I should probably be more in tuned to what is going on in the world, not just in
Texas or Oklahoma, but in our country as well.
Knowing what new laws and policies are changing or being made will help me in guiding my kids to
being aware of the world around them.
So, I will read the articles that I tend to scroll past, and I will join in – or at least listen more – to the
conversations that my family and friends have discussing current events. It still may not pique my
interest, but at least I will be aware and knowledgeable of the changes in our country.