Hailey Watson is a science and mathematics major who is motivated to vote to fulfill her civic duty and exercise her right to vote. She agrees with most Texas policies like open carry and capital punishment. The biggest future political issue for Texas is immigration as it is a border state dealing with illegal immigration. Texas influences federal decision making because it has a large population and is well known, making it difficult to go against its strong political views. Lessons Hailey will carry forward include knowledge of local government, state policies, and Texas' political culture.

1. Hailey Watson
Major: Science and Mathematics

2. What things motivate me to vote?
• Some of the things that make me want to vote includes doing my part
as a citizen, at least trying to make a difference, and exercising my
right to vote because there are so many others that can`t.
• There are not many things that I would change in the state of Texas
because I agree with most of the Texas policies like open carry and
capital punishment.
• If I could choose to keep things the same I would choose to keep Texas
red forever and to not change any of their policies.

3. Things I have Learned
• One thing that I have learned A LOT about is the death penalty
because of that 3 page essay and discussion board 6 post. This is the
thing that I actually would want to learn more about.
• One thing I knew nothing about was the nickname strategy, but now I
will be watching for it in future candidates.
• The thing I did not expect to learn about was my local government
because I figured that this course would talk about Texas as a whole
and not break it down.

4. Political Issue: Immigration
• I think the biggest issue for the future is immigration, especially since
Texas is a border state. There are many people trying to come over
illegally now not to mention the giant caravan coming from Mexico. I
think Texas needs to put an end to illegal immigration and enforce
laws regarding that much more than they do now. I think it will be
significant in the future because if we are having problems with it
now then there are slim chances it`ll get better as time goes on.

5. What role does Texas play in influencing the
federal governments decision making?
• I think Texas influences it because Texas has a very high state
population along with the fact that it is one of the most known states
in the United States. There have been studies that show if you ask a
Canadian or European that they can usually only name Texas along
with locating it. Texas is a very strong-willed state with set ideas and
would be very difficult to go against. Think that is why the federal
government is influenced by Texas when they make decisions.

6. Lessons that I will Carry With Me
• Some of the lessons that I will carry with me include knowledge about my
cities government, my states own policies, and most importantly, to me,
Texas` political culture. I am not sure how I will use this knowledge in my
future career field (exotic veterinary medicine) but maybe I can have
debates with my fellow coworkers over the pros and cons of the death
penalty or the changing political culture. I think it is important to
understand your states policies and how it works, especially if you are the
one living in it so you can stay involved in some way.