1. PUBLIC POLICY CH. 13 DEALING WITH COMMUNITY ISSUES

3. WHAT IS PUBLIC POLICY? The government’s stance on issues and the government’s response to solving problems or resolving issues in the community Matters of discussion and debate related to the functions of government The complexity of public policy issues sometimes involve multiple levels and branches of government Origins of public policy- political parties, private citizens, media, interest groups, government

4. A LOT goes into public policy!

5. PLANNING PUBLIC POLICY Before planning, need to decide on priorities and resources –Which goals of the community are the most important? –What resources (money, materials, people) are available to address each issue A planning commission made up of community members creates a master plan that states the goals of a project and how the government will carry them out Once an idea is accepted by the government, it becomes public policy

6. HOW DOES THE COMMUNITY HANDLE ISSUES? PUBLIC EDUCATION The U.S. Constitution does not mention education, which means that it is a state issue according to the 10 th Amendment Public education was a focus of American communities since the founding (it created good citizens!) How do you think the federal government has power in public education if it’s a state issue? They give money to schools in exchange for them following certain federal rules –Ex. No Child Left Behind (2001) Is the federal government going beyond its constitutional limits?

7. PUBLIC EDUCATION CONTINUED… Financial and social –Money comes from property taxes. Hence, wealthy communities provide more money to schools. –Drop out rates, crime, violence, poverty, family struggles, drugs and alcohol use all make high-quality schooling more difficult Testing –Some believe that the best measure of student success is competency tests (state exams) –Some believe these tests require teachers to focus on covering specific material rather than helping students fully understand subject matter

8. PUBLIC POLICY ON SOCIAL PROBLEMS The U.S. has 2.3 million people in prison- the most in the world! Crime rates are usually higher in larger cities. Hence, public policy on crime and poverty are stronger in larger cities. Crime rates have fallen recently due to community policing- local police force visibly keeping the peace and patrolling neighborhoods

9. SOCIAL PROGRAMS Social programs give financial help to Americans who suffer from ill health, old age, poverty, and physical disabilities What is the best policy to address these problems? (an age- old question!) TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) was passed in 1996 and gave states the power to use federal welfare program money however they choose This allowed states to decide on their own policies on who can receive welfare, how much, and for how long

10. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES Environmentalism- movement concerned with protecting the environment. Living in an industrial society means we MUST be proactive with protecting the environment How should communities get rid of waste? –Landfills are filling up quickly –Burning waste is an option, but can be toxic –Recycling is an option, but not all waste can be recycled

11. PROTECTING AIR, WATER, AND LAND Pollution from industry: Federal rules limit the amount and kinds of waste factories can release into air and water Pollution from individuals: Laws forced auto industry to develop more efficient engines. Cities focus on mass transit. Carpooling is encouraged.

12. CITIZEN ACTION- PUBLIC POLICY ORIGINS Beginning in the 1960s, citizens formed organizations such as the Sierra Club to work to protect the environment Sustainable development- build economic growth, but do not harm the environment The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 1970 Clean Air Act of 1970 set standards for smoke from factories and exhausts from cars Clean Water Act of 1972 put limits on the dumping of pollutants into the nation’s lakes and rivers

13. NEW YORK CITY IN 1966, BEFORE THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1970 Smog- mixture of fog with smoke and other pollutants

14. WHY DO WE NEED GOVERNMENT? Why do we need government? Many people look to the government to solve problems Protect lives of citizens Oversee the economy Protect rights of citizens In order to perform these duties, among countless others, the government creates PUBLIC POLICY

15. REMEMBER THE BRANCHES AND LEVELS? Branches Executive- President Legislative- Congress Judicial- Supreme Court Levels Federal State Local

16. ALL LEVELS AND BRANCHES! Public policy can occur at different levels of government by different branches of government What is an example of a local government policy? State government? Federal government? Public policy does not end with the creation of a law or a decision made. Laws and decisions need to be enforced. Fines and punishments are needed to implement policy.

17. PUBLIC POLICY ON DIFFERENT LEVELS AND IN DIFFERENT BRANCHES Federal Executive- The Dept. of State advises the president on foreign policy and directs U.S. embassies around the world Federal Legislative- The Congressional Budget Office provides Congress with advice on their budget and economic plans State Legislative- The Ohio Legislative Service Commission assists the Ohio Congress in creating legislation State Judicial- The Ohio Courts of Common Pleas applies sentencing guidelines for felons in Ohio Local Legislative/Executive- County commissions determine and grant tax reductions

18. THE BRANCHES INTERACT TO MAKE (OR NOT MAKE) PUBLIC POLICY The three branches can work together to make public policy, or they can challenge the actions of one another When Congress wants to create a new policy, how can the President work with them? How can he work against them? How can Congress work with the President or work against him in his attempt to make policy? How does the Supreme Court have power over policies created by Congress? THINK CHECKS AND BALANCES!

19. EXAMPLES OF BRANCHES CLASHING FDR’s court-packing plan Worked with Congress to pass two acts to get America out of the Depression Supreme Court said unconstitutional FDR proposed adding SIX new justices to the court NOPE Obama’s executive order on immigration Congress was inactive on immigration so Obama passed the EO 26 challenged the EO A federal judge placed a “hold” on the EO. The Supreme Court will be reviewing it

20. THE GOVERNMENT USES THREE WAYS TO IMPLEMENT PUBLIC POLICY Legislation –The legislative branch passes laws which are public policy –Example: Congress could pass a law changing the legal drinking age Administrative Acts –What the government does to CARRY OUT a law –Example: The police would have to enforce the drinking age for it to matter Judicial Decisions –The court can apply the law to specific situations –Judges also decide sentencing, which adds to or decreases the force of the law

21. PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS

22. NOW YOUR TURN Create a model for the public policy process based on a current issue in society (ex. Healthcare, immigration, education, energy, etc.) Be sure to plan out all six steps of the process.