TBL #6

  1. What are some of the ways Texas counties and cities raise their revenues? 

    1. Texas 

      1. State sales tax 

      2. Business tax

      3. Motor fuels tax, motor vehicle taxes 

      4. Fees, fines, licenses 

      5. Federal grants 

      6. Lottery revenue 

    2. Counties 

      1. Property taxes (the biggest source) 

      2. Fees from county services (court fees, records, etc.) 

      3. Fines 

      4. state/federal grants 

    3. Cities 

      1. Property taxes 

      2. Sales taxes 

      3. Utility fees (water, electricity in some cities) 

      4. Permits, fines, service fees 

      5. Bonds for long-term projects 

  2. What are the steps of solving a policy problem? 

    1. Identify the problem 

    2. Set the agenda (decide it needs government action) 

    3. Formulate policy (possible solutions are developed) 

    4. Adopt policy (the government officially chooses a solution) 

    5. Implement policy (agencies put it into action) 

    6. Evaluate policy (did it work?) 

  3. What gets in the way of creating public policy? How can you get around these problems? 

    1. Barriers 

      1. Lack of funding 

      2. Political disagreement 

      3. Conflicting interests between levels of government 

      4. Bureaucratic slowdowns 

      5. Lobbying and pressure groups 

      6. Public resistance 

    2. How to overcome 

      1. Negotiation and compromise 

      2. Clear communication 

      3. Collaboration between agencies 

      4. Public education/information campaigns 

      5. Federal-state agreements 

Vocabulary 

  • Lease revenue bonds 

    • Bonds paid off using income (revenue) from leasing a public building or facility (ex: renting out a stadium) 

  • Back door bonds 

    • Debt issues by a state agency or local group without voter approval, even though the debt behaves like a normal bond. 

  • Capital appreciation bond (CAB) 

    • A bond where no payments are made for years; interest builds up, and the government pays a large lump sum later—popular with school districts but very expensive long term. 

  • Distributive policy 

    • The government gives benefits widely to many groups (ex: public schools, highways). 

  • Regulatory policy 

    • Government controls or restricts behavior (ex: environmental rules, business regulations).

  • Redistributive policy

    • Takes resources from one group and gives to another (ex: welfare, Medicaid). Politically controversial 

  • Logrolling 

    • Legislators exchange favors: “You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours.”

  • Poison pills

    • Legislative provisions added to bills that make them less favorable, often to ensure opposition votes are not secured.

  • legacy vote

    • a vote made to protect a lawmaker’s political reputation or “legacy” even if the vote is symbolic.

  • General revenue fund

    • A fund that collects taxes, fees, and other revenue sources to support general government operations, often used to finance public services such as education and healthcare.

Where do problems exist when various levels of government try to work together?

  • confusion over who is in charge

  • slow communication

  • conflicting laws or priorities

  • not enough resources

  • delays in requesting federal help

According to the Texas Emergency Management plan:

  • Who develops plans?

    • The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) develops statewide plans.

    • counties and cities must create local emergency plans.

  • Who evacuates which areas?

    • local officials (mayors, county judges) order local evacuations

    • the governor can order statewide or large regional evacuations.

What increases the likelihood that FEMA will provide assistance?

  • a governor’s request for federal help

  • proof that state and local resources are overwhelmed

  • declaring a state of emergency

  • clear documentation of damage

What problems exist between the U.S government and state/local governents during crises?

  • delays in declaring disasters

  • confusion about roles     

  • disagreement over the level of damage

  • slow reimbursement from FEMA

  • miscommunication and duplicated efforts

What is the role of tabletop simulations in emergency response?

  • practice scenarios in a low-stakes environment

  • helps agencies test coordination, reveals weaknesses before a real disaster

  • improves communication and planning

What has the federal government done to try to decrease confusion between governments?

  • issue local disaster declarations

  • order evacuations

  • command local emergency responders

  • request assistance from the governor

Why do cities and counties need to have plans for emergencies?

  • required by state law

  • needed for FEMA reimbursement

  • helps save lives and coordinate response

  • reduces confusion

Can a president step in even if the state or governor doesn’t ask?

  • Usually no, under the Stafford Act, the president needs a governor’s request.

  • In emergencies, the president can invoke the Insurrection Act or other legal measures to provide federal assistance and resources, even if state officials do not formally request help. Only in cases of:

    • ending rebellion

    • restoring law and order

    • protecting civil rights

Major Laws + agencies

  • Stafford Act 1988

    • main federal law for disaster relief; the president can give aid after the governor requests help; establishes a framework for coordinating federal assistance to state and local authorities during major disasters and emergencies.

  • Post-Katrina Reform Act 2006

    • Rebuilt and strengthened FEMA, improved communication, and clarified responsibilities after the failures seen in Hurricane Katrina.

  • FEMA

    • Federal Emergency Management Agency: provides disaster relief, funding, coordination, and support to states.

  • Insurrection Act of 1807

    • Authorizes the use of federal military forces to restore order during civil unrest or enforce federal law.