The Texas Legislature - Law Essay Sample

The lawmakers of Texas may be elected from all corners of the state, but may not be its reflection. By looking at the demographics of the 85th Texas legislature through the religion, race, age education and gender of its members, there is diversity regarding its composition (Representatives, 3) About the race, for a long time Texas has been a minority-majority state. However, the legislature has been mainly composed of the whites. Also, there are racial differences in the political parties. Out of the 115 Republicans, only five are the people of color. On the other hand, the Democrats have six members resulting from this group(Aura, 2).

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When it comes to the gender of these lawmakers, one in five legislatures is a woman regardless of them making half of the population. This number has an implication that approximately 20.4% are women (Jalalzai, Farida, and Chad A. Hankinson, 35). About the age, there is a 46-year difference between the oldest and the youngest member of the legislature and only 10% have postgraduate education. In the Texas legislature, there is over-representation of men and whites while the women and the minority groups inclusive of African-Americans, and the Hispanics are under-represented.

The poor, minorities and women of Texas have historically enjoyed low political participation, as well as representation in the government when compared to their proportion in the population. Even if they have made significant progress by involving themselves in politics they still face obstacles enhanced by language barriers, relative lack of economic resources inclusive of income and wealth, and low levels of education. Most of the women face an additional challenge of ensuring that the traditional responsibilities are met such as being the caregivers to their young ones, while attempting to manage their political and professional careers (Austin Texas, 6) . Also, discrimination and prejudice play a part in denying women and other minority groups such as the people of color and immigrants the opportunities for the political participation. To understand the changes , which have taken place over the last decades, it is critical to illustrate the dynamism of the political culture in Texas. In 1965, both the Senate and the House there were no African-Americans in both houses with only 9 Latinos representing the minorities.

The participation rate, as well as the political representation of the minorities and women started in the 1970s after the national Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed("Representation Of Minority Groups In The U.S: Implications For The Twenty-First Century," 74). However, for more than thirty years and after these national legislations were put into action, the political inclusion of the minorities and women has showed some imbalances because of the dominant cultural factors, low levels of education, and lack political will by men to include more women and people from minority groups in the leadership positions. This trend is a reflection of the family incomes, as well as the voter turnout by women in the state elections (Aura, 4)

Focusing on the part-time nature of the state law makers, there are advantages for people having the willingness to engage in this work. The legislators act as the bulwark for the market economy, entrepreneurship, as well as classical liberalism. At the time when they are off their official duties, they engage in other activities, which enhance development in the state. These activities include supervision of the states projects, evaluation of the key areas requiring development, as well enhancement of religious tolerance. Also, they get time to participate in their private businesses, which support their families. For instance, Willie Nelson engaged himself activism leading to farmer relief for all Texans participating in agricultural activities.

Works cited

Aura, Alex. "Once Again, The Texas Legislature Is Mostly White, Male, Middle-Aged". The Texas Tribune, 2017, https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/09/texas-legislature-mostly-white-male-middle-aged/.

Austin Texas, University. Texas Politics. 2016,.

Jalalzai, Farida, and Chad A. Hankinson. "Political Widowhood In The United States: An Empirical Assessment Of Underlying Assumptions Of Representation". Journal Of Women, Politics & Policy, vol 29, no. 3, 2008, pp. 395-426. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/15544770802212224.

"Representation Of Minority Groups In The U.S: Implications For The Twenty-First Century". Choice Reviews Online, vol 40, no. 02, 2002, pp. 40-1216-40-1216. American Library Association, doi:10.5860/choice.40-1216.

Representatives, George. "Texas House Of Representatives". House.State.Tx.Us, 2017, http://www.house.state.tx.us.