LONE STAR COLLEGE

CONNECTING SOCIAL SCIENCES

Vol. 1. Issue 2 10/15/2014

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

Election 2014  Constitution Day 1) Election Date: Forum Nov. 4.  Political Science Internships

2) Early Voting: Oct 20-31.

VOTING BY MAIL i) Only if you will be away from your county during Election Day and during early voting; ii.) You are sick or disabled ii.) You are 65 years of age or older on Election Day INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Iv) You are confined in jail, but eligible to vote v.) You can get an early voting ballot IMPORTANT WEBSITES Nandita Berry 1 1. Secretary of State’s office http://w03web.sos.state.tx.us/vrrequest/bbm.asp 2. Early Voting clerk in your county http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/ county.shtml Adrian Hutchison 2 3. Download an application for ballot http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/ pol-sub/5-15f.pdf Candidates 3

VOTER ID Chancellors fel- 6  driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) lows  Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS  Texas personal identification card issued by DPS Faculty 7  Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS Internships 5  United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph  United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph Constitution 8,9,10&  United States passport Day Forum 11 VOL. 1. ISSUE 2 PAGE 2

ADRIAN HUTCHISON

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Gubernatorial Candidates

For the first time in 14 years, the Texas General Election ballot does not contain Gover- nor ’s name. In July 2013, Governor Perry announced he would not seek another term although he was still eligible under the Texas Constitution. This caused a significant amount of shuffling of officials seeking to gain higher offices. Parts of this law is still being challenged in the federal courts.

Wendy Davis is a democrat representing Texas State Senate District 10 where she was first elected in 2008. Wendy Davis graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree and JD from Harvard Law School. Her committee assignment in the Texas State Legislature in 2013-2014 includes Economic Develop- ment, Transportation and Veterans Affairs and military Installations Issues: education, job creation-economic stability, government accountability, and veterans State senator Davis gained notoriety based on her filibuster of an abortion related bill for almost 11 hours on June 26, 2013.

Greg Abbott is seeking to prolong the Republican Party continued dominance of the governor’s of- fice since 1995. He currently serves as the . He received a bachelor’s from the University of Texas and a JD from Vanderbilt University Law School. has served as Texas Attorney General since 2002. Previous office held included: Dis- trict Court Judge and Justice, Texas Supreme Court. Issues: Oppose federal regulations of greenhouse gases emission, Oppose Medicaid expansion and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Tort reform, and Texas Voter Photo ID

Brandon Palmer is a Green Party candidate for . Brandon was a 2012 candidate for the 6th congressional seat in the US House of Representatives.

Kathie Glass, a libertarian candidate for governor. Kathie graduated from the University of Geor- gia with a bachelor’s degree and a JD from the University of Georgia Law School. She has current- ly an attorney practicing law in the city of . Kathie served on the Libertarian Party state executive committee 1882-84. Candidate Issues: lower taxes and lower spending, supports private property rights, oppose EPA Cap and Trade and the Patient and Protection Affordable Care Act and border protection.

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30555 Tomball Parkway Tomball, Texas 77375 Phone: 281.351.3300

INTERNSHIPS

A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS Valentina Osuna ; Political Science Intern PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY!

We are excited to begin our third year of the Political Science Internship Program at Lone Star College- Tomball. This is a great opportunity to get practical hands-on work experience in a government setting. Former interns have worked with U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul and State Legislator Allen Fletcher. We are also looking to expand our partnerships to include with the City of Tomball, Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters and State Legislator Debbie Riddle. Our current intern, Valentina Osuna, is working with State Legislator Allen Fletcher. Valentina is an outstanding student who has a great interest in politics. She has a diverse background, having moved from Venezuela as a child and integrating herself into the American culture. She loves watching docu- mentaries and is an avid New York Times reader. Valentina is very interested in women’s rights and feminism. At Representative Fletcher’s office, she will directly participate in the operation of an elect- ed official’s office. “So far,” says Valentina, “my internship has shown me how many people reach out to representatives and their staff to help them find what they need to solve problems.” During her internship, she will also conduct a policy analysis on human trafficking, a key issue for Fletcher, as he chairs the House committee on it. Valentina’s future is bright. Her aspirations are to transfer to the University of Texas and major in political science. She then plans to attend law school. “Having come from a different country because of a fault in government stability,” says Valentina, “I feel that I am driven to make a difference.” Please share the opportunities of the internship program with your class. For more information contact Dr. Virginia Haysley at [email protected]. PAGE 5 CONNECTING SOCIAL SCIENCES

Meet the 2014 Candidates

Lieutenant Governor (R) - State Sen., Tea Party Activist & Radio Talk Show Host (D) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Pharmacist Chandrakantha Courtney (Green) - Musician & Singer Robert Butler (Libertarian) - Marketing Executive & Ex-State Party Executive Director

Attorney General. Ken Paxton (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Attorney Sam Houston (D) - Attorney & '08 Supreme Court Candidate Jamar Osborne (Green) - Attorney & Progressive Activist Jamie Belagia (Libertarian) - Attorney, Ex-Police Officer & Marijuana Legalization Activist

Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Attorney Mike Collier (D) - Corporate Financial Executive Deb Shafto (Green) - Retired Teacher, Peace Activist & Frequent Candidate Ben Sanders (Libertarian) - Financial IT Manager

State Land Commissioner George P. Bush (R) - Attorney, Investment Consultant & Son of Ex-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush John Cook (D) - Ex-El Paso Mayor & Ex-El Paso City Councilman Valerie Alessi (Green) - Sculptor Justin Knight (Libertarian)

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (R) - Ex-State Rep., Nurseryman & Rancher Jim Hogan (D) - Rancher & Insurance Agent Kenneth Kendrick (Green) - Ex-Peanut Plant Manager Rocky Palmquist (Libertarian) - Farmer, Rancher & '10 Bastrop County Commission Candidate

Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton (R) - Oilfield Engineer & Businessman Steve Brown (D) - Ex-Fort Bend County Democratic Chair & Public Administrator Martina Salinas (Green) - Environmental Activist Mark Miller (Libertarian) - Software Company Owner & Ex-Petroleum Engineering Professor Page 6 CONNECTING SOCIAL SCIENCES

Back row, left to right-

Alexander Dodd, Christopher Clines, Maria Gonzales Trevi- no, Darien Brocken, Madeleine McQuilling, Tiffany Avalos 30555 Tomball Parkway Lopez, Nicholas Nienberg, William Bailey Tomball, Texas 77375 Phone: 281.351.3300 Front row, left to right-

Elizabeth Perez Rodriguez, Samantha Hatcher, Shelby Stockstill, Margaret Mynhier, Elizabeth Anderson, Jor- INTERNSHIPS dann May, Ruth Harrison, Holly Savoie

EARN CONFIDENCE

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A long time ago, in a distant suburb of , known as Oklahoma City, Dr. Steve Prewitt was born. He graduated from Edmond high school in Edmond, OK and matriculated at Phillips Univer- sity, a small, private liberal arts uni- versity in Enid, OK. After six years as an undergraduate student, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music. He then relocated for a short time to Minnesota where he earned a tech- nical certificate in band instrument repair from Red Wing Vocational - Technical Institute. After a decade of horn bending, he decided to pursue graduate degrees in history at the University of Houston. While in graduate studies, he had the great good fortune to begin his teaching career. Teaching primarily courses in Western Civilization, he plied his craft at the University of Houston, Alvin Com- munity College, and Houston Communi- ty College and finally at what is now Prof. Steve Prewitt LSC-Tomball. In August 2002, the Lone Star College System offered Dr. Prewitt a full time position, which he gladly accepted. While still at UH pursuing his advanced level degree, Dr. Prewitt was asked to teach a semester in the Honors College. To his great surprise, he discovered that LSC-Tomball also had an Honors Program. He immediately expressed his interest to the Director of the program, Professor Alanna Tynes, who subsequently invited him to be part of the Honors Council. During these years, the University of Saint Thomas contacted Dr. Prewitt, ask- ing him to fill in for a faculty member who had suddenly fallen ill. Teaching at UST re- minded Steve of his undergraduate years at a small, private liberal arts university, and re- newed his desire to see at least some of the Lone Star College System students have such a marvelous experience. Dr. Prewitt and several like-minded faculty members from the other LSCS colleges began meeting in the summer of 2012, hoping to create an Honors College within LSCS, to pro- vide high achieving students something similar to the small, private, liberal arts college experience. After a great deal of hard work and with the support of many people through- out the system, The Honors College became a reality in the 2014 fall semester. Although Dr. Prewitt still teaches an honors history course every semester, his primary duties are administrative. The Honors College helps a particular group of students, the Lone Star College System as well the broader community.

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Constitution Day Celebrated at LSC-Tomball

On September 17, 2014, LSC-Tomball faculty, students, staff and community celebrated Consti- tution Day in room E100: Teaching Theater. Dr. Annie Johnson Benifield, Chair of the Social Sciences Department of the Lone Star College-Tomball welcomed the assembly and provided a brief rationale for this occasion. In 2004, Congress passed a law requiring educational institu- tions that received federal funds provide a program about the US Constitution. Copies of the US Constitutions were provided to all in attendance. A video rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” was played. Dr. Sean Tiffee, LSC-Tomball speech faculty member served as a moder- ator for the Candidate Forum. Candidates for various elective positions, state house districts 130 & 150, state senate district 7, comptroller and US House district 10: Mike Collier, Democrat- Comptroller; Tawana Cadien, Democrat-US House district 10; Jim Davis, Democrat-Texas Sen- ate district 7; Art Browning, Green Party-Texas House district 130; and Debbie Riddle- Republican, Texas House district 150. Each candidate did a five minute introduction after which the moderator Dr. Sean Tiffee opened up the floor for questions. Students from government and speech classes asked a range of substantive question concerning firing from jobs based on sexu- al identity, healthcare, low income housing placement and access to higher education and cost. Ms. Nel Coffey and group of volunteers conducted voter registration outside the Teaching Thea- ter. Candidates engaged in very lively discussions addressing issues facing the day. Jimmy Boutte Jr., interim SGA President, a second year student at LSC-Tomball gave closing remarks thanking everyone for attending and also encouraging students to participate in the upcoming SGA elections, September 22-25, 2014. Political Science Professor Patrick Gilbert and SGA Adviser reminder every one of the upcoming November election, early voter and voter registra- tion deadlines Afterward refreshments were served.

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LSC-Tomball Presents:

Constitution Day, September 17, 2014

Sponsored by the Student Government Association and Social Sciences Department

Introduction/Greetings: Dr. Annie Johnson Benifield Chair, Social Sciences – LSC- Tomball

The National Anthem Moderator: Dr. Sean Tiffee Faculty, Speech – LSC-Tomball

Candidates and Position Sought: Mike Collier – Democrat – Comptroller Jim Davis – Democrat – 7 Art Browning – Green Party – Texas House 130 Tawana Cadien – Democrat – U.S. House District 10 Debbie Riddle – Republican – Texas House 150

Questions from floor through Moderator

Remarks : Professor Patrick Gilbert SGA Advisor & Political Science Faculty Jimmy Boutte Jr. SGA President Page 10 Connecting Social Sciences

Constitution Day forum pictures

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In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Nobody will ever deprive the America people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”

Voter Registration Table at LSC Tomball

CONNECTING SOCIAL SCIENCES Page 12

30555 Tomball Parkway Tomball, Texas 77375 Phone: 281.351.3300

Contact: Dr. Annie Johnson Benifield, Chair, Social Sciences Lone Star College, Tomball [email protected] Janet Moore, Faculty Support, COTE [email protected] Garima Dasgupta, Adjunct Faculty [email protected] ( article Submission)