The institutional structure behind the Texas abortion law is our governments judicial system. Essentially, the states have the right to make their own laws concerning abortion as long as it stays within the confines of any Supreme court decisions. If a citizen thinks that a law is unfair it can reach appeal processes that eventually bring it to the Supreme court for review and they can overturn or keep whatever decision was originally reached. This greatly impacts the policy of the abortion law in Texas because it could have provided the opportunity for a higher entity to reverse the law. The organization that influenced and impacted this policy was the Texas state government. It follows the same rules as any state government in the United States in that it can enact a law and has to be passed through its court system. There are several appeals of a proposed law that can take place, but the most important in this scenario was that of the Supreme Court. They had the ability to step in before the bill was passed and have shown that they have been “…willing to bend over backwards and issue late-night decisions in other contexts, including, for example, to protect religious liberty” but in this case, did not (NPR, 2021). The impacted parties have mainly been women and the abortion clinics and parties that perform abortions. These parties had no say whatsoever in the determination of this bill. Despite many women submitting appeals to the Supreme Court and Texas courts in trying to get exceptions to the ruling, none have been passed to this point. The most that each group can do is speak out against and peacefully protest the decision that was made. This decision affects the lives of women in Texas more than anything. It severely limits their ability to be able to choose what to do with a major change in their lives. It also goes deeper than just the idea of abortion; it will give women pause when they choose to do certain sexual activities in their lives, thus imparting a sort of control on how they live and the decisions that are made. The doctors and abortion clinic workers are also impacted as well. They get paid for their services no matter what the opinion is on abortion. This leaves them without money and the ability to have a livelihood. They then have to find new jobs and also have to worry about be sued if they are even suspected of helping someone obtain an abortion. References McCammon, S. (2021, September 1). What the Texas Abortion ban does - and what it means for other states. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next. Supreme Court Fails To Get Involved, So Texas Abortion Law Goes Into Effect. (2021). Morning Edition (NPR).https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033194576/supreme-court-fails-to-get-involved-so-texas-abortion-law-goes-into-effect

Jamie, this is another great topic that I see being talked about! I agree that the 2nd Amendment rights are very important and everyone should have the right to protect themselves. I also agree that background checks are an important part of the process but more needs to be put into place for mass shootings and such to not occur as often. Including possible solutions in your outline has led me to the conclusion that I need to do the same, for analysis is not effective without the ability to offer solutions as well.

Tinesha, this is a great topic to analyze! The focus on the abolishment of the death penalty is certainly a hotly debated topic. Is the focus on your analysis going to be on the difference of the benefits of blacks vs other racial groups? Overall I think this will be an interesting topic and I am looking forward to more of your blog posts.

Concept Questions My topic of choice for the policy analysis project is the most recent abortion law enacted in Texas. This law enables private citizens to sue anyone who helps a woman get an abortion at any time after six weeks of pregnancy. This includes the abortion agencies, those who help transport the women to and from their clinics, and even those who assist financially. There does not have to be any proven connection from the private citizens and those that they sue. I chose this law because it is an important topic to myself. My own beliefs are that women should be allowed to choose what to do with their bodies, especially in certain circumstances that would deem it necessary. I also chose this because it is a recent topic of discussion and there should be more details coming out throughout the course of the direction for the policy and why the Supreme court did not step in and deny it. 1. What are the relevant rules guiding the policy? The rules that guide the law are that private citizens are now allowed to sue anyone or any entity that assists women getting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. There are no exceptions to the rule such as a rape case or anything else. 2. Are those rules effectively enforced? That rule is currently being enforced and has resulted in many abortion clinics already shutting down and stopping work. It essentially makes abortion illegal after six weeks for women because they now have to live in fear that themselves or anyone assisting them would be getting sued for their actions. 3. Is there a romance – reality disconnect in the policy? In other words, do people seem to expect a much more “public spirited” outcome than is realistic? Yes, ultimately people believe that their protests and other oppositions to the law will result in the outcome of the law being revoked. However, it is not likely that this will come to fruition based upon the Supreme court decision. 4. What is the collective action the policy is suppose to accomplish? Or is there one? Is the policy designed to favor some over others? Be sure to distinguish between actual results and rhetoric? I am not sure at this point what it is trying to accomplish. There is an anti-abortion group that has established a “’whistleblower’ website where people can submit anonymous tips about anyone they believe to be violating the law” (McCammon, 2021). This would suggest that no one is really benefitting from this law. 5. Is there a special interests involved? Who? Are they successful? I am not sure who the special interest would pertain to at this time, or if they would be successful or not in their goals. Outline I. Introduction to the topic A. What the law is and when it was enacted. II. Who the parties are that are affected A. Women B. Those that assist in abortions C. Private citizens that sue III. Implications of the law IV. Conclusion References Supreme Court Fails To Get Involved, So Texas Abortion Law Goes Into Effect. (2021). Morning Edition (NPR). McCammon, S. (2021, September 1). What the Texas Abortion ban does - and what it means for other states. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next.