Comment On New Texas Driving Laws

My colleague published a very interesting article entitled “New Texas Driving Laws.” It was such an enjoyable read. The subject of discussion in the article is interesting. Issues of new driving laws in Texas and the associated penalties are the current basis of heated discussions in the media and other social groupings. As such, by choosing that subject, my colleague was sure to grab the attention of many readers. The form of presentation that the colleague used is also fascinating. He starts by introducing the topic before proceeding to provide relevant information and data regarding the subject. 

From the article, a reader gets a comprehensive insight on the whole issue of driving laws in Texas. He uses relevant examples to help understand the current situation and how the situation was before the introduction of the new Texas driving laws. Was interesting to read how the colleague illustrated the situation using the relevant examples and appropriate quantitative data that involved quoting of figures. 

To make the article complete, the colleague also attempts to express the reason for the introduction of the new Texas Driving laws. He seems to have reasoned out the possible reasons for the new laws and presented them in the article. In this manner, the colleague presents the whole issue of the new Texas driving laws in the article using just a few paragraphs. Apart from the few grammar errors evident in the article, the article is instrumental in providing an overview of the new Texas driving laws. 

Texas Government Needs to Prioritize Texas Education

The republican of Texas needs to prove its worth by focusing and improving the education system of Texas. Education in Texas is a frequently featured issue on a college campus. In their article "Texas education: top 5 issues at the Legislature," Stewart, the president of the Grapevine-Colleyville district council of PTAs, stated that “our main issue is school finance. We want to see more money funneled toward education in Texas.” Other issues facing the education system are high-stakes testing, poor technology in schools, and local control of school start and closing date. The government should put emphasis on correcting issues that are facing in Texas education.

WalletHub ranked state of Texas number 21 in the quality of education in the United States in the year 2015. The same research showed that Texas spends very less on students compared to the other states and it was ranked number 48. Texas students do not need standardized testing. All they need is healthier student-teacher ratios to increase engagement. They need better classrooms as the whistling windows and shoddy desks do not promote a proper learning environment. Texas students do not need more credit requirements. They need update teaching methods which include more access to technology and adaptable computer training. They need better skills training, well-fixed start and closing dates to ensure the syllabus is covered.

This makes most of the education watchdogs and experts agree on the fixation of Texas school finance and the executive board should make educational reform a main priority. Obviously, money is not the solution to excellent education, but Texas can’t have the excellent education if the government is not funding it adequately. If the government finances all schools and spend a lot on students, there will be an improvement of things and skills and will bring excellent education.

Preview of the 85th Texas Legislature

I really enjoyed watching the video recordings of The Texas Tribune Symposium Previewing the 85th Texas Legislature. Throughout the symposium, the lawmakers discussed the impacts that this year’s State budget will have on the issues brought up during the 85th legislature. Among the major topics discussed include mental health care, foster care and child protective services, public education, sanctuary cities, transportation, and taxes.

During the first session of the symposium, the lawmakers discussed the issue of foster care reform. Most of the lawmakers seemed to advocate for better pay, more caseworkers, and more accountability. On this issue, Joe Straus argued that the $350 million cut to children’s therapy services ordered by State lawmakers in 2015 had good intentions but later failed. Due to its failure, he suggested that it should be addressed in the supplemental budget.

The issue of higher education formed a large part of the discussion during the second session of the symposium. The lawmakers agreed that higher education is one of the major sectors that compete for State funding. Sarah Davis put the task on lawmakers to decide on whether to invest money into financial aid or into research. Still, on the matter of higher education, Patrick Burke made a controversial statement implying that tuition grants should be eliminated.

During the third part of the symposium, the lawmakers raised crucial concerns on the 2017 budget. During this part of the symposium, lawmakers Drew Darby, Donna Howard, Kirk Watson, and Paul Bettencourt convened to discuss taxes, the economy, and spending. It also became clear that all the lawmakers, regardless of their parties, agreed that the tight budget will not make things easy. In the fourth part of the symposium, the lawmakers, Jose Rodriguez, Todd Hunter, and Konni Burton discussed the future of the U.S. politics under the presidency of Donald Trump. This topic sparked a very heated discussion among the lawmakers. Some of the lawmakers said they would rather wait and see what happens rather than making any predictions. However, Konni Burton stated that she did not like Trump’s flip- flopping opinions.

During the last part of the symposium, the lawmakers also discussed the issue of the role of the federal government in education. In this matter, Konni Burton was booed by the crowd when the suggested the removal of the federal government from education.

Comment on a colleague’s work

I really enjoyed reading my colleague's work entitled "Texas "campus carry" law". This is a great article and thank you for posting this. I have been thinking about the same for long time now. I know we all have different experiences with guns and each one of us has a different opinion about this Texas "campus carry" law. I may say it is good idea that students with guns could prevent some of the carnage inflicted by someone bent on killing on campuses but I disagree on the same when I think of the idea of young people, given the mental health issues and stress some people among the college demographic face, with weapons tucked under their coats.
It is a very dangerous proposition. I am worried that the presence of guns might impinge free speech by making some students too fearful to speak their minds in class. I feel that Campus carry, is forced on the campus by outsiders to make a political point. Overall, great commentary piece that I enjoyed to read, great work Berehanu!  

Plastic Shopping Bags Should be banned in Texas

Texas State should ban the use of plastic shopping bags; the main reason being that plastic bags affect wildlife. When plastic bags are disposed in areas with wild animals they might choke or poison the animals either marine life or even birds. And by banning plastic bags those animals will not be at risk. The other reason is they are very costly to clear up. Clearing up of these plastic bags in a town will cost a lot of money to the government and hence should be banned as that money can be used in another better project which is of benefit to Texas. Plastic bags take a very long time to decompose and since they are disposed everywhere they make the town dirty hence banning their use will ensure the town is always clean and fresh. Plastic bags pollute soil and they release a toxic chemical which mixes with the soil making it harmful for agriculture. It can also go deep and mix with underground water and makes the water unhealthy for human and animal’s consumption.

Plastic bags releases toxic when burned and makes the air harmful and this causes a lot of side effects to human bodies. Disposal of plastic bags where there is water flow causes blockage of drainage systems hence causing a lot of damage and government spending a lot of money in unblocking of the drainage systems. When plastic bags are exposed to high temperature they produce a poisonous substance which causes birth defects and genetic mutations on humans. When plastic bags are disposed on soil they prevent the plants from breathing hence hindering the plants growth. Some plastic bags are petroleum based plastic which needs a lot of petrol in the industry in its making hence they become very expensive because of the price of petrol. Texas State should thus ban the use of plastic bags for better animals, plants and human health and also growth of its economy.

Critique on Big Jolly Politics, ‘‘what will Sen. Ted Cruz do now?’’

In this article "what will Sen. Ted Cruz do now?", the author David Jennings is asking what Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas would do now after announcing his support for presidential candidate Donald Trump. According to the author, the purpose of this work is to clearly show that Sen. Cruz is confused in his stand. This article is based on apolitical point of view.

Jennings starts his article with a rhetorical question, ‘Where did Ted Cruz’ political instincts go? And how did it happen so fast?’ (David, 2016). These questions are directed to Cruz and by this questions, it’s clearly evident that Cruz has lost his political integrity as the author points out.

The author uses very convincing words and compels the reader that Cruz was confused and made a wrong decision of endorsing Trump. ‘On September 23rd, he made his choice, posting a 756 word endorsement of Trump on Facebook.

He states that three days after Cruz made his decision, Trump begun losing support after posting a video about sexually assaulting women and Cruz started rumoring about rescinding his endorsement on Trump.

Jennings asks another question, ‘Now what?’ he tries to show us that Cruz is completely confused on what to do.The author continues and claims to advice Cruz but I consider this a mockery and not advise, ‘Shut up. Just shut up for once. Focus on doing the actual job of being a Texas Senator’ (David, 2016). The author presents his work in a sarcastic manner.

In general, I enjoyed this piece of work and the way the author lays out his thinking in form of more or rather rhetoric questions.

Critique on San Antonio Express News on ‘‘Wolff, Rodriguez deserve re-election to Commissioners Court’’

This article  ‘‘Wolff, Rodriguez deserve re-election to Commissioners Court,’’ in the San Antonio Express News by the Express News editorial board  is on the subject of the recent nominations on who should be elected or re-elected to Commissioners court in Precinct one and three respectively. The article starts with a suggestive heading, ‘‘Wolff, Rodriguez deserve re-election to Commissioners Court’’ (San Antonio Express News), by this type of heading, the editorial board points out that these nominees deserves to be re-elected back to the Commissioners Court.

The editorial board objectively suggests that Kevin Wolff should be given a third term in Precinct three and Sergio Rodriguez a fourth term in Precinct one. The editors argue that Wolff is knowledgeable and thoughtful on all matters of the state and the local government. They praise him for being honest and transparent. The editorial board endorses Wolff even after being caught in bizarre incidents.

On the other hand Wolff is being challenged by Brandon J. Johnson, a nineteen year old sophomore from the University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio Express News), but the editors of this article suggests that he is better off as an intern than a commissioner of which I disagree and think he would be better than Wolff because he is young, fresh, has new ideas and has never had a bad reputation unlike Wolff.

Rodriguez has no negative issues as observed from this article; the editors apprise him of his good work and recommend him back to the Commissioners Court although he is challenged by John V. Garza.

Overall the authors of the article have kept the facts straight but could have not recommended which candidates should be sent to the Commissioner’s office but should have left the recommendations open.

60x30TX New Higher Education Strategic Plan for Texas

I found an article in the The Daily Texan entitled "Texas plans to increase college graduation rates by 2030" that I found very interesting. The article talks about the 60x30TX plan, which was recently introduced by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, that talks about the new higher education strategic plan which aims to position Texas among the highest achieving states in the country and maintain its global competitiveness.

The first goal in the 60x30 plan aims to increase the percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds in Texas who hold a certificate or degree by 2030.
However, the completion goal in the plan is to have at least 550,000 students in that year complete a certificate, associate, bachelors, or masters from an institution of higher education in Texas.  It also proposes that these graduates will have marketable skills regardless of major and that, statewide, undergraduate student loan debt will not exceed 60 percent of first-year wages for graduates of Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) adds, “For Texas to keep growing, a skilled and educated workforce will be needed”.

I believe this article is worth reading because higher education promises to improve the lives of Texans. It is something that we must do to maintain a growing economy and ensure that the Texas will be stronger than the one we have today.

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