Public Policy

Public Issue: 1. a topic or problem that citizens believe government should solve 2. a subject that is under debate by two or more parties Public Policy: Actions taken by governments in the form of laws, rules or regulations to solve problems and achieve goals Public Policy Alternatives: options/proposals being considered by governments to solve problems and achieve goals Governmental Agency: an organization or department in the government that is responsible for a specific area of the government (for example, the FL Dept of Health, Fl Dept of Education, PSL Parks & Recreation)

Multiple Perspectives: different points of view on a problem or issue Biases: prejudices or inclinations Implement: to put something into effect Public Policy Solution: the best Public Policy Alternative chosen to solve a problem Community Service: unpaid, voluntary efforts by private individuals to deal with a crisis or solve a problem Public Good: shared benefit (good) at a societal level

What is Public Policy? Public Policy: Actions taken by governments in the form of laws, rules or regulations to solve problems and achieve goals

How can Citizens be involved? Almost every important decision by government agencies allows some opportunity for public comment. Citizens have the right to address their public officials and legislators by writing letters to sending petitions ( formal requests to government officials, signed by citizens who agree with the demand) Citizens can also use- Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the media to draw attention to concerns, to make new proposals, and influence the public policy process.

Steps in the Public Policy 1. Identify the Problem: The Environment Public Education Safety and Crime Bike Lanes, Roads, & Highways Parks and Recreation Taxation Health and Food

Steps in the Public Policy 2. Conduct research/gather data about the problem. This research may focus on determining what has caused or explain the problem Is this really a problem? Does a policy already exist to address/fix the problem?

Steps in the Public Policy 3. Identify the appropriate level of government and the best agency to address the problem. Is this a local or state issue? Is it for the Mayor, City Council, or County Commissioners? Is it a School Board Issue?

Steps in the Public Policy 4. Develop various public policy alternatives (or Options) What caused the problem, and what solutions might affect the causes of the problem. What has been proposed to solve the problem in the past, and why it wasn’t tried or didn’t work. What has been proposed or tried elsewhere, and how might it be adapted to your situation. What resources do you have at your disposal, and how might they be best used to solve the problem. Because each proposal is an alternative solution to the problem, proposed solutions are sometimes called “Public Policy Alternatives”

Steps in the Public Policy 5. Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative What are the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative? The benefits and costs? How effective will it be at solving the problem? Will it solve it completely? Can the government agency successfully accomplish or enforce the policy? What resources are required?

Steps in the Public Policy 6. Consider Multiple Perspectives Multiple Perspectives- Different points of view Each person has different experiences and backgrounds, this gives each person a unique perspective on issues. Each person also has different interests and concerns which also gives a person a unique perspective. Each person also has a biased (prejudices or inclinations) based on how we were raised, our past experiences, our education, our social position, our gender, or our economic situation.

Steps in the Public Policy 7. Choose the best policy alternative as the course of action. After you have evaluated the pros and cons of each alternative policy you should rank them The best alternative is the one that brings the most benefits for the least cost The worst alternative is the one that brings the least benefits fort the most cost. The best will also solve the problem in the most complete way.

Steps in the Public Policy 8. Implement your Plan/Decision To “implement” means to act on something- to put it into effect. To implement a public policy solution, you usually have to win the support of those elected or appointed officials in charge of that aspect of public policy. You can do any thing to gain support for your plan- you can petition, you can meet with policy-makers, you can use social media to create a campaign, you can hold a public meeting . Be aware that not every problem requires a public policy solution, some problems can be solved through Community Service- unpaid, voluntary efforts by private individuals to deal with a crisis, solve a community problem, or help the underprivileged.

Steps in the Public Policy 9. Evaluate the Effectiveness of you Decision for future planning.

Addressing public issues A public issue is a topic or problem on which citizens disagree about what should be done.