Texas Politics Personal Responsibility

You are a Texas Senator on a three person Senate Committee on Education. The committee has
been given an extra $2 million by the Comptroller of Public Accounts who shows that there has
been a significant increase in tax revenue in the state. The money will go toward college
scholarships in public universities. The committee’s job is to decide on proper allocation of the
funds and make a recommendation to the full Senate.
Senator Rawls represents an economically challenged portion of urban Dallas. Senator Rawls
grew up in this neighborhood and expresses that poor people are the individuals most in need, and
that all extra resources should go to those most in need. Senator Rawls recommends that all
scholarships be need based. Senator Bentham represents and was raised in an upper middle class
portion of Houston. Senator Bentham says the money should go to the students who are excellent
high school students who want to major in STEM fields. Senator Bentham says the investment
will produce and overall healthier society and that ability to succeed in college in an important
field is more import than being in personal need because the investment is more likely to produce
more overall good in things like medical procedures, drugs, and infrastructure.
You are the third and deciding vote. In a full sentence, grammatically correct essay explain the
following in the order outlined by the numbers below.

1. What is your decision on how to distribute the money?
2. Rawls (give to those most in need) and Bentham (give to those who will give the most back)
   explain their basis of decision making in justifying their decision. Explain the basis of your
   decision. Justify your decision. What will this mean in future decisions that you make as a
   legislator? What are the pros and cons of your decision making process?
3. What about general experiences in your life caused you to have the core beliefs to make the
   decision.
   II. Social Responsibility Essay/Knowledge of civic responsibility
   In your own words, answer the following questions.
4. Why is it important to vote?
5. Why is it important to be well informed on civic issues?
6. Considering your previous answers what is your responsibility to your community when it
   comes to voting and being informed on civic issues?

Sample Solution