Assignment #3: Interest Groups in Texas

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Find and explore the website for a Texas interest group of your choice. Do a search for a subject you are interested in and see if there is a group that matches. Then see if they are active in Texas. You may have to spend some time looking, if you want to find a group that matches your own interests.

Some suggested places to search:  Project VoteSmart (https://votesmart.org/interest-groups/TX/#.VR1syI7fDGU) or the Texas Tribune’s list of Interest Group Scorecards:  http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/82nd-session-interest-group-scorecards/ or the list of top lobbyist/interest groups from the Texans for Public Justice report:  http://info.tpj.org/reports/Top%20Lobbyists%202013.pdf

Most of the groups that you will find should have site names ending in “.org” since they are organizations. Once you have found a group, analyze the group through its website. Be sure and discuss what kind of information is available on the site.  Consider the following:

  • What does the group stand for?  (usually this is in the “About” section),
  • What activities does it engage in to draw attention to the cause/change government policy?
  • What types of benefits does the group offer to prospective and current members?
  • Is it an offshoot of a national interest group?  If yes, how is it similar/dissimilar to its national counterpart?
  • What attracts you to this group?
  • Is the group likely to be successful in swaying public opinion/political leaders?  Why or why not?  Consider what you know about political culture in Texas, the current legislature and executive.