State Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking Prelims

1.         What is causing the decrease in the freedom of the press across the Americas? 

2.         Why is Governor Greg Abbott threatening to withhold millions of dollars from major Texas cities?

3.         What are the unique aspects of California’s gubernatorial election process?

4.         How are Medicaid changes affecting state-level health care?

5.         In what ways does President Trump rely on Truth Social Media to communicate with the general public?

6.         Why did Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resign her cabinet post?

7.         What were the highlights of King Charles’s address to the U.S. Congress?

8.         Who are the more influential Democrats in the Texas State Senate?

9.         Why did President Trump verbally challenge Pope Leo?

10.       Why is President Trump supporting psychedelic drug research?

11.       What are the current legal challenges facing the Southern Poverty Law Center?

12.       Why is inadequate access to healthcare considered a global issue right now?

13.       What challenges have Texas officials encountered with the state’s public education voucher system?

14.       What changes has Texas A & M experienced with its leadership in recent years?

15.       What has been revealed regarding the “10 missing scientists” case?

16.       What were the highlights and accomplishments of the Artemis II mission?

17.       What are the environmental consequences of current drought conditions in Texas?

18.       How has the rising gas prices in the U.S. impacted lower-income consumers?

19.       What factors caused friction and disagreement between Federal Chair Jay Powell and President Trump?

20.       Why did Tim Cook step down as Apple CEO?

Informative Speaking Finals

1.         What are the highlights of James Talarico’s political career?

2.         How does the Texas Ag Extension Service contribute to the state’s agriculture sector?

3.         Why is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledging to open government-run grocery stores?

4.         What issues were under consideration in the Louisiana v. Callais Supreme Court case?

5.         What are the details of President Trump’s feud with late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel?

6.         What major changes in President Trump’s cabinet have occurred during 2026?

7.         In what ways is artificial intelligence technology being utilized by political campaigns?

8.         What are political analysts predicting with respect to 2026 mid-term elections?

9.         What has research suggested regarding addiction to social networking websites?

10.       What are the benefits and possible side-effects of the Novo Nordisk drug Wegovy?

11.       Why are leading Catholic cleric currently denouncing U.S. foreign policy?

12.       What roles do public schools play, if any, regarding bullying on social networking websites?

13.       Why is the Justice Department concerned about UCLA Medical School admissions procedures?

14.       What are the current objectives of the United States Education Department?

15.       In what ways does medical science benefit from the U.S. space program?

16.       What are the latest innovations regarding treatment of Type 1 diabetes? 

17.       What challenges are owners of electric vehicles facing?

18.       What major U.S. cities currently face air quality concerns?

19.       In what ways is China diplomatically engaged with Iran?

20.       What changes, regarding federal U.S. income taxes, have taken effect in 2026?

Persuasive Speaking Prelims

1.         Are property taxes, for Texas homeowners, likely to increase?

2.         Are Texas coastal communities adequately prepared for the 2026 hurricane season?

3.         Do federal election mandates infringe on states’ rights?

4.         Is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in need of reform?

5.         Is President Trump’s claim that he is a friend of the U.S. auto industry valid?

6.         Has President Trump over-extended the nation’s armed forces?

7.         Is Eric Swalwell’s political career over?

8.         Based on recent polling data, are Democrats likely to gain control of the U.S. Senate in this year’s            

9.         Have violent rebel groups caused disruption in Somalia?

10.       Are prohibitive costs of pharmaceutical drugs a reality in the United States today?

11.       Is the practice of “gerrymandering” commonly used when states re-draw Congressional districts?

12.       Are the demographic profiles of the two major U.S. political parties in a state of transition?

13.       Should college student loan forgiveness programs be implemented by the U.S. federal government?

14.       Are U.S. Middle East military operations, targeting Iran, in violation of the War Powers Act?

15.       Are self-driving automobiles safe?

16.       Is artificial intelligence development progressing at an alarming rate?

17.       Is nuclear energy becoming a reliable source of electricity in the United States today?

18.       Has the United States become energy independent?

19.       Should members of the U.S. Congress be subject to strict regulations regarding stock trading?

20.       Did President Trump seriously support a federal government takeover of Spirit Airlines?

Persuasive Speaking Finals

1.         Do drought conditions continue to threaten the Texas agriculture sector?

2.         Has tourism become a major industry for Texas?

3.         Do state-level authorities have a responsibility to restrict sanctuary city policies in their jurisdiction?

4.         Will major Texas cities continue to experience accelerated population growth?

5.         Will President Trump’s influence have a formidable influence on the 2026 midterm elections?

6.         Are President Trump’s White House renovation efforts warranted? 

7.         Are Democrats and Republicans alike witnessing major divisions in their respective political parties?

8.         Is Maine Senator Susan Collins facing a major reelection challenge?

9.         Are hospice care fraud allegations regarding California capturing the attention of federal lawmakers?

10.       Is the United States facing a Hantavirus health threat?

11.       According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, was the Spirit Airlines collapse preventable?

12.       Do U.S. workers benefit from the collective bargaining power of organized labor?

13.       Do Texas lawmakers continue to struggle with issues related to funding the state’s public schools?

14.       Have cell phone bans by public schools proven to be an effective policy?

15.       Are today’s college students increasingly interested in artificial intelligence related majors?

16.       Is an “anti-science” sentiment on the rise in the U.S.?

17.       Will rising fuel costs trigger a new wave of conservation in the United States?

18.       Should the U.S. public be concerned increased greenhouse gas emissions

19.       Are middle-class Americans increasingly at risk of becoming bank fraud victims?

20.       Does Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent embrace a pragmatic view of international trade?