Assignment #4, Part II

I will be using the Current Population Survey: Annual Social and Economic Supplement Survey, 2007. I was able to locate an SPSS-ready dataset through ICPSR. This will be much easier to use than extracting a dataset from the CPS on my own. Here is the link: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/21321?q=poverty&timePeriod=2000&paging.startRow=1&series=Current+Population+Survey+Series

This dataset will help me in understanding the links, if any, between education and poverty. I would like to explore those to variables geographically. Are there areas of the country with are more likely to be uneducated and in poverty than other areas of country? And is there a correlation between education and poverty, in that the higher the education, the less likely an individual is the be in poverty? Hopefully, there will be enough information for me to do that, or that I am savvy enough with SPSS do that analysis! The Current Population Survey is a great place to find updated data regarding social and economic variables.

I have thought about exploring the idea of gender in this as well, but it seems to be one too many variables. Do you think gender plays a role in education or economic status? Are there any agencies or not-for-profits that help individuals, living in poverty, receive training or education for economic advancement? Do you think these programs or agencies are successful? Do you know of any agencies that are geared toward a specific gender?

Assignment #3- Part II

Lindblom:

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) has sustained incremental change for more than seven decades. The FLSA initially prohibited child labor, established the minimum wage at 25 cents per hour, and set a maximum work week at 44 hours (http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/flsa1938.htm). Since 1938, the FLSA has been amended several times. However, the fight for fair wages and child labor laws did not begin with the FLSA. President Roosevelt was a champion of labor laws and placed several provisions within the New Deal to see that fair wages, work hours, and labor laws were available for the protection of workers (DOL). The Supreme Court on the other hand had very different opinions regarding labor regulation. The Supreme Court systematically invalidated labors laws throughout the 1930's. It was a constant fight for labor regulations. Even the Public Contracts Act of 1936 was weakened by the Court (DOL). Finally in 1937, the Supreme Court, under threat from the President, upheld a labor law (DOL). This was finally the change that was needed in order to create the FLSA, although it would not be enacted until June 25, 1938 (DOL). The bill had to go through two submissions to Congress and extreme lobbying by the President (DOL). Since 1938, the FLSA has been amended several times. Most recently in 2007 to increase the minimum wage (DOL http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/coverage.htm). Overall, the FLSA has ben modified and changed several times over the last seven decades in ensure the the United States' labor policy and minimum wage is as good as any alternative.

Lowi:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/business/07carwash.html?scp=9&sq=minimum%20wage&st=cse

Carwash employees in Los Angeles are trying to unionized themselves due to extremely low wages and unfair working conditions. Many of the employees are not legal citizens or authorized to work in the United States. This puts them at a serious disadvantage when employers violate labor laws and regulations. Some workers say they are not paid more than $35 for a 10 hour work day and are not given proper protection when working with chemicals. Cheap labor from undocumented workers is just too lucrative for employers to comply with the laws. The employees feel if they create a union, they will no longer be taken advantage of by carwash owners and managers. The carwash employees have been backed by the Steelworkers Union and the AFL-CIO.

This clearly a case of policy regulation. Labor regulation fits into the regulatory type of public policy. Government labor laws impact the private carwash businesses. In this instance the labor regulations also impact the undocumented workers specifically. The issue of whether they are protected under the laws needs to be addressed and employers sanctioned for violations. The regulation policy is failing a certain class of people, whether or not they are citizens. Although several of the car-washes are law abiding, the few that are not are bringing attention to a serious violations of labor regulation.

Assingment No. 2, Part 2

Shulock Article

Shulock outlines traditional policy analysis and an interpretive view of policy analysis. The traditional view of policy analysis can “measure the impact of policy on citizen interest, can project consequences” (Shulock, p. 228) and influence client’s policy decision-making with analysis. Shulock contrasts the traditional policy analysis view with the interpretive view. The interpretive view of policy analysis would expand policy analysis to other uses rather than simple problem solving. Shulock hypothesizes that: 1) policy analysis use is greater in areas of jurisdictional competition than in areas of jurisdiction committee monopolies; and 2) policy analysis is greater when the public is highly interested in the issues.

I agree with Shulock’s interpretive view of policy analysis. Policy analysis has changed and is no longer used only as a problem-solving tool. Policy analysis is now used to provide ideas for policy and change. I believe policy analysis can still be used in the traditional sense but as the public policy process becomes more complex it is increasingly difficult to narrow analysis for just problem solving. Policy analysis, like Shulock said, offers to provide multiple viewpoints or feedback to decision makers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/us/15highway.html?ref=politics The New York Times recently reported on the metric highway signs posted in southern Arizona during the 1980’s. The signs were slated to be replaced with funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. However, after unwanted national attention and complaints from southern Arizona business owners, the project never happened. This article goes to Shulock’s point exactly. Traditional policy analysis determined that the signs should be replaced. However, interpretive view policy analysis could have pulled from several different arenas to determine the best possible outcome, especially since the public and media scrutinized the issue.

Hird Article

Hird concludes that nonpartisan policy research contributes significantly in providing information to policymakers even if it operates through non-traditional methods. Nonpartisan policy organizations can influence policymaking by providing policymakers with analysis.

I believe that nonpartisan policy anayslis organizations do contribute to the policymaking, but perhaps not to the extent Hird describes. Hird describes four factors that are necessary for NPRO’s to contribute to policy making. These four factors have influence on the likelihood of an NPRO’s contribution. Here in Arizona, a conservative state legislator, as opposed to a liberal legislator, would probably be more susceptible to influence of an organization like the Goldwater Institute. The Goldwater Institute is a nonpartisan organization but the policy research is geared toward conservative and government. Just because a nonpartisan policy organization says it is nonpartisan does not necessarily mean that it is devoid of founding principles.

Introduction

Hello everyone! I thought I would take the opportunity to tell you about myself. I'm originally from Phoenix and moved back here eight years ago when I graduated from BYU. I have a one-year-old German Shorthair Pointer named Charlie. We can be found running down Central or playing at the Washington Dog Park. I'm employed full-time as a paralegal in a local law firm. I enjoy my work but I'm really looking forward to using my degree in the near future. I'm currently in the MPA program and love being back in school. This is my last year in the program. I have really enjoyed the program so far. I'm looking forward to this semester and reading everyone's blogs.