1. What is your selected topic and why are you interested in this subject? You c

1. What is your selected topic and why are you interested in this subject? You can pick any topic you are interested in that an interest group or lobbyist might address before lawmakers. Be sure to use your own words as this section is an opinion section. Provide a specific example of how the topic picked impacts you in some way in your answer to question 1. (Note: VoteSmart has a Texas Interest Groups page which might help in finding a topic of interest – Vote Smart – Facts For All Links to an external site.).
2. What interest group is working in this area and why did you select this particular group? Provide a link to the interest group website(s) you used to do your research in your answer to question 2.
3. How has your group worked to influence public policy? Have they lobbied politicians? Tried to influence the public? How much money have they spent? You must use specific examples from the interest group website(s) to answer this question.
4. What interest groups may oppose your selected interest group and how effective have they been? Again, provide links to the opposition website(s) and be sure to reference specific examples from the website given of how they oppose currently your selected interest group. In answering how effective they have been, use data or other specific examples and evidence to back up your claim and be sure to cite your data/examples.
5. In your opinion, will your group be effective in getting their agenda codified into public policy? This answer should focus on Texas only and whether any of their agenda will get codified or passed in Texas. Give an example of what policies you think they can or cannot get passed in Texas and analyze why you think the item(s) can or cannot get passed. You can include a general discussion about the U.S. and whether it will also be codified/passed in the U.S., but to get credit for this portion, you must specifically refer to Texas as the main part of your answer.

NOTE: In answering your question, use the optional materials below and your own research as necessary to back up your opinion.
Texas Ethics Commission Registered Lobbyists – (https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/search/lobby/LobbySimpleSearch.php)
Lobbying in Texas: A Guide to the Texas Law – (https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/resources/guides/lobby_guide.pdf)
Open Secrets – Follow the Money – ( https://www.opensecrets.org)
VoteSmart – Texas Interest Groups – (https://justfacts.votesmart.org/interest-groups/TX/)