State Government Project

Objective: In order to better understand the role of the state government in our lives students will investigate the roles and actions of state political leaders and political parties. You will create a biography of the following party or person in New YorkState government.

Directions:

  1. Choose aperson or political party from the listattached here.
  2. Write a 3-5 page typed, double spaced research paper.
  3. Create a visual aid (poster, collage, video) for your class presentation.

State Politicians:

  1. NYS Assemblyman Kevin Cahill
  2. State Senator John Bonacic
  3. State Senator William J. Larkin
  4. Attorney GeneralEric T. Schneiderman
  5. Governor Andrew Cuomo
  6. Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul
  7. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
  8. US Senator Kristen Gillebrand
  9. US Senator Charles Schumer
  10. US House of Rep. Chris Gibson

NY State Senate Leaders

  1. Majority Leader of the Senate Dean Skelos
  2. Minority Leader of the Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins
  3. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

UlsterCounty

  1. Ulster County District AttorneyHolley Carnwright
  2. UlsterCounty Executive Mike Hein
  3. Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach

UC Legislators District 10–for Town of New Paltz

17. Hector Rodriguez

Town and Village of New Paltz

18. Village Mayor Jason West

19. Town Supervisor Susan Zimet

20. Village Mayoral candidate Amy Cohen

21. Village Mayoral candidate Sally Rhoads

22. Village Mayoral candidate Tim Rodgers

Include in yourState PoliticianResearch Paper:

1. Describe the background of your candidate – personal

information – family, college, previous experience, incumbent

or newly elected, how long have they worked there,

goals/visions, political party, important policies and laws

passed.

2. **** Explain the Politician’s Views **** - what stance does

he/she take on various issues, what are their past

accomplishments? What are the committees the politician

serves on as well.

  1. Find two (2) current news articles that discuss with the politician and summarize each.
  2. Evaluate their likelihood to be a successful politician. Consider howcritics of this politician respond to the policies they have made and what is the likelihood of this politician’s success? (Conduct a public opinion poll and also draw your own conclusions) See FEC.gov
  3. Document all information in works cited page.

Political Parties:

  1. Republican Party
  2. Democratic Party
  3. Libertarian Party
  4. Green Party
  5. Independent Party
  6. Conservative Party
  7. Working Families Party
  8. Socialist Workers Party

Include in your Political PartyResearch Paper:

  1. Describe the history of the political party you are researching.
  2. List the Party’s Platform by discussing their opinion on various issues such as: Education, Crime, Energy, Environment, Gun Control, Abortion, Same Sex Marriage, etc. (Pick a minimum of any8 topics and explain each position fully)
  3. Who are some of the key people involved in the political party – state name, position and identify at least 2 people – such as elected officials, party leaders, party founders, etc.)
  4. Find two (2) current news articles that deal with the political party and summarize each.
  5. Identify the STATE and NATIONAL enrollment statistics for your political party – use the most current figures available.
  6. Discuss critic’s views of the party and the likelihood of the party’s success in New York State politics.
  7. Document all information in a works cited page.

DUE DATES

Article #1- 3/26, 3/27

Article #2- 4/7, 4/8

Paper- 4/14, 4/15

Visual- 4/21, 4/22

Meeting- 4/16, 4/17

Service- 4/23, 4/24

Presentations- 4/21, 4/22