Conclusion

Following the conclusion in our NPNC text, summarize the political climate and future for your state. Briefly mention where your state falls among political cultures (liberal to conservative... or progressive to traditional). Where is the state in terms of overall effectiveness? How are state and local politics likely to change in the coming years for your state?

State and Local Taxes

How should the state seek to meet the revenue needed to cover costs? General income taxation? User fees (like toll roads)? Casinos (somewhat regressive)? Most citizens want more services and want to pay fewer taxes... What is the political way out of this difficult situation for state politicians?

Education Policy

Following the guide of Chapter 11 in NPNC, take a look at your state's education expenditures and create two graphs that mirror 11.2 and 11.3. Post these two graphs to your blog and discuss their meaning for your state.

Local Politics

Using NPNC Chapter 9 as a guide, discuss the role of local politics in your state. How much power does the state government cede to local governments? What are the strengths of your state's local governments? What are the major weaknesses? How have local politics changed, or in what ways are they likely to change going forward?

Book Review

Spend a paragraph reviewing the new library book you've selected. What is the main argument? How well does the book make that argument? How can you relate the main argument to State and Local Government?

Judicial System

Prisons are overflowing nationwide. Crime rates have been on the decline fairly consistently for years, but sentences have continued to rise. This poses some difficult challenges to state judicial systems.

How should your state address the problem of overcrowded prison systems, but tough on crime sentencing? Make a list of possibilities and explain which are plausible and which are not worth trying.

Public Administration

What does it mean to be a good Administrator? The term "administration" is tossed about often enough, but what does it really mean? Based on our discussion of Public Administrators on a State level, what does it take to provide the best form of Public Administration? Who are some good administrators from your state?