Indianapolis receives grant to improve recycling program

The City of Indianapolis is working on rebuilding their recycling program. The city was awarded over $42,000 in grant money to work on creating recycling programs at major sports facilities, such as Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse. These programs are hoped in increase participation in recycling and promote the city to "go green." Many public agenda issues are currently supporting going green, such as the energy crisis.
This is related to class material because of grant funding. Grants are needed to support many programs, such as education. Our class has discussed different types of grants and how they can lower costs of programs. This is also related to class because the energy crisis is in the public agenda, and recycling addresses the energy crisis.

-Elizabeth Woollen

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-indianapolis-receives-epa-grant-102210,0,5671902.story

Possible compromise on tax cuts?

The article, Possible Compromise on Tax Cuts? by Gabriella Schwarz, discusses raising the threshold at which people pay higher taxes from $250,000 to a higher income. Currently, people making over $200,000 per year and couples making over $250,000 a year pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than those making under these dollar amounts.
If this law passes, it will help out people and families who do not make a lot of money. The article states that democrats in this election do not want to give tax cuts to the "millionaires and billionaires." This would mean that the rich would be paying a lot more in taxes than others.

-Elizabeth Woollen

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/23/possible-compromise-on-tax-cuts/

U.S. Envoy Hopeful on Climate Deal

In Beijing, the top U.S. climate change negotiator says that “there’s a deal to be had” at the November global warming summit in Mexico. On November 29, senior government officials from around the world will gather for a meeting to discuss global warming in the city of Cancun. Fairness is at the heart of the issue because developing countries like China and India say that rich countries like the U.S. should be responsible for the heavier burden because they have a responsibility over history for carbon already in the atmosphere. However, the U.S. and other nations think that emerging countries like China need to do more. While China has pledged to show the rate of its carbon emissions, the U.S. wants proof and measurement of those targets. This is an example of how grants could be used to help poor countries pay for technology to mitigate their carbon emissions.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303738504575567700324746086.html

Kilee Imlay

Solar Power Plants in California receive federal funding

The first large scale solar power plants finally won approval in the White House. The 45-magawatt system created by Chevron Energy Solutions will be built in the Lucerne Valley, California. "It's our expectation we will see thousands of megawatts of solar energy sprouting on public lands" Mr. Salazar of Chevron says. This plant could generate enough energy to power up to 566,000 homes. Hundreds of millions of dollars of the 2.1 billion dollar project will be funded by Federal stimulus grants and federal loan guarantees. One of the main reasons the project is taking place all this year is so the company can take advantage of the soon-to-expire renewable energy grants. The government will be using categorical grants, used for specific, narrow purposes, to fund the plant. The government will be distributing these grants on a project, not formulaic basis.

Aria Greenberg

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/science/earth/06solar.html?scp=5&sq=federal%20grants&st=cse

Obama Meets Apple CEO Jobs in San Francisco to Discuss Education, Energy

President Barack Obama and Apple Inc. Chief Executive OfficerSteve Jobs met today and talked about education, energy policy and ways to create jobs, according to the White House. Obama is scheduled to spend the night in the city before leaving for Los Angeles as part of a campaign swing on behalf of California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer. With less than two weeks until the midterm elections, the president is on the second day of a five-state trip to raise money for Democratic candidates and raise enthusiasm from party supportersA poll released today by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California showed Brown with a 44-36 percent lead among likely voters. Boxer leads Fiorina 43-38 percent in the same poll.Obama and Jobs last met during the 2008 campaign, according to Gibbs.Jobs has supported Democratic candidates and organizations in the past. He donated $50,000 to the DNC in 2000 and $26,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, according to Federal Election Commission records. Jobs also contributed $1,000 to former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel when Emanuel was running for the U.S. House in 2004.

Gov't seeks stay of 'Don't ask, don't tell' ruling

Just early today, the Obama administration asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to immediately suspend the U.S. District Judge’s, Virginia Phillips, ruling that overturned the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays. The Obama administration says it is in favor of repealing the law. However, the government says that letting the ruling go forward immediately would be a major problem for the military. This is an example of how direct government plays a vital role in policy reform and other situations. Even though the judge has the power to make a ruling; the Feds have the power to overturn it. The suspended ruling is also an example of bureaucracy, which is a process characterized by paperwork, unresponsiveness, and slow results.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_gays_in_military;_ylt= AmfNdHdRfwTQ9DH3K6Tqbyph24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTMxcm8wbjBmBGFzc2V0Ay9zL2
FwL3VzX29iYW1hX2dheXNfaW5fbWlsaXRhcnkEY2NvZGUDZ21wZQRjcG9zAzIEcG9zAzI
Ec2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNnb3Z0c2Vla3NzdGE-

-Rebecca Jania

FBI tracking citizens with their knowing?

Last week a 20 year old California student found a GPS tracking device on the bottom of his car. After posting a picture of it online, it was discovered to be a tracking device only used by authorities. The FBI interviewed the man and recovered their equipment. The court system currently upholds the right of authorities to with out a warrant place tracking devices on vehicles in public spaces. This situation brings up a a public problem concerning the civil right of Americans from unlawful search and seizure. With America worried about terrorist threats this loop-hole situation that may violate fundamental rights will probably not receive legislation anytime soon.

-Max

http://abcnews.go.com/US/california-student-finds-fbi-tracking-device-car/story?id=11841644&page=2

Germany Legalizing Medicinal Marijuana

The legalization of medicinal marijuana has officially spread across seas to Germany.  The laws will work just like the laws for medical marijuana in the United States, which allow certified doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients in need of cannabis’s therapeutic effects.  Just like any new law, some of the German population is against this idea.  They are using scare tactics, claiming cannabis is addicting and has little to no medical benefits.  These scare tactics can be looked at as hortatory tools because they are trying to encourage good behavior.  From what I’ve observed within the US, the whole medical marijuana system is being abused.  There are so many technicalities that give drug enforcement a headache that could be eliminated by simply legalizing marijuana worldwide.

-Robbie Nichols

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2010/aug/24/reports_germany_legalizing_medi

Officials Push to Bolster Law on Wiretapping

Law enforcement and counterterrorism officials seek to overhaul the federal laws that require phone and broadband carriers to create technologies that the government can easily wiretap. Officials say these laws need to be toughened because telecommunications companies have been updating their software, making it technologically incompatible with government wiretapping devices. The Obama administration plans to submit a package to Congress next year that would update the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act of 1994. This package would incorporate Internet platforms into the legal code for the first time.

This type of policy making would be classified as a regulatory policy. According to Birkland, regulatory policies are intended to govern conduct of businesses, and telecommunications companies like AT & T fall under this category. The tools of public action that will be used in this case are unclear yet; some possibilities could be fining companies for failing to meet standards, or providing incentives for companies that are proactive in changing their technologies.

It will be interesting to see which approach the Obama administration takes. I would expect incentives to be more successful than fines, because providing rewards is more effective (people respond to awards) and efficient (providing benefits would encourage the greatest number of companies to comply). It will also depend on budget factors and which government agencies collaborate for this effort to see which tools will be more politically feasible. Which approaches would you anticipate the Obama administration to use?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19wiretap.html?_r=1&hpw
Stephanie Doctrow

U.S. Sues Michigan Blue Cross Over Pricing

The U.S. justice department sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Monday, saying that they violated antitrust laws and because it is believed to be forcing hospitals to charge higher prices to Blue Cross rivals. The lawsuit took direct aim at contract clauses stipulating that no insurance companies could obtain better rates from the providers than Blue Cross. The lawsuit also states that Blue Cross bought protection from competition by paying higher prices to certain hospitals. In some instances people from other insurers had to pay up to forty percent higher prices. Blue cross is denying these allegations by saying that it does not make good business sense to do this, but at the same time they made over $10 billion in revenue last year and certainly have the money to do this.

Matt Rister

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/business/19insure.html?_r=1&ref=politics

Indiana businesses to pay penalty for state loans

Unemployment is a rising and costly problem in America. The government has taken the responsibility of financially covering people registered as unemployed. With time, this adds up and is a major factor that contributes to America's steep National debt. There must be a policy implemented that will gradually lower the debt. The government has proposed to bill each state in order to gradually receive their loan back along with interest. Do you think that this is the right path to take to result in a lower National debt?
-Mallory Lyon
http://www.indystar.com/article/20101015/NEWS05/10150383/1008/NEWS05/Indiana-businesses-to-pay-penalty-for-state-loans

From Obama, the Tax Cut Nobody Heard Of

In this article Cooper mentions a reporter asking a half dozen people what had happened to their taxes once Obama took office. 59 year old Bob Paratore explains that the federal and state taxes had increased when in fact Obama has cut taxes allowing American families to have about an average of $65 a month. Those who were told taxes have actually been cut say that didn’t even notice. Obamas thought behind the tax cut was to have the people have more money to save or even spend to cycle through the economy.

This article relates to direct government, Obama takes on the responsibility of directing provision of the main problem with the economy by trying to add more money to the economy by cutting taxes for Americans.

Elizabeth Sziler

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/politics/19taxes.html?_r=1&ref=politics

Harbin Second-hand Smoking Control Law

Smoking will be banned in all indoor public places in the northeast China city of Harbin, this is the first local law which is considered to solve the problem of "Second-hand smoking".The draft law outlines penalties for smokers who light up in public or working places and affect others with their smoke and the highest fine is going to be 2000 yuan, roughly 300 dollars. After considering the importance of tobacco in China, the "Harbin Second-hand Smoking Control Law" would just be implementing practically, because it will affect the tobacco market negatively.

‘Culture of Poverty’ Makes a Comeback

In this article, Patricia Cohen analyzes the term "culture of Poverty" made famous by Daniel Patrick Moynihan in 1965. This negative term used to describe black, poor people places blame on the individuals by sending the idea that attitudes and behavior patterns kept people poor, therefore, it must be their own fault for remaining in such a cycle. For obvious fear of being politically incorrect, this term has been shunned for years but has just recently surfaced on the poverty research agenda.This is because views on the cultural roots of poverty will directly influence how lawmakers choose to address the poverty issue. It is interesting how the way a public issue is defined has so much effect on how lawmakers choose to tackle it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/us/18poverty.html?_r=1&ref=politics

Victoire

The Fine Print on Student Loans

With the heavy debate over loans in class and for our group project, student loans top the charts of discussion. Loans, as a tool of public action, are something you must pay back or it defaults on the government. However, the WSJ clearly demonstrates the difference between student loans and mortgage loans. Finance experts see "good debt" as something that strengthens your financial position over time. However, good does not always mean easy. With student loans, if you are unable to pay you must be able to prove you cannot provide the minimal standard of living and you have provided a good faith effort to repay the loans. Student loans are considered good because of the low interest rates and flexible payment schedules; but they are not as easy as having a mortgage loan and just being able to hand the keys over when running into financial trouble.

http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/10/15/the-fine-print-on-student-loans/

Michelle Watkins

Fraud Seen in Afghan Election

The results of the Afghan preliminary election taken on September 18, 2010, that were supposed to released October 17th, were postoned. Interviews with Afghan and Western officials indicate that fraud was highly apparent. Apparently, nearly 25 percent of the votes are likely to be thrown out all together. The fraud included corrupt election officials, ballot-box stuffing, citizens forced to cast their votes at gunpoint, and security forces who aided corrupt candidates. It is said that the results will be released three days prior to expected. “You can do a lot of mischief in three days,” said a Western observer knowledgeable about the election process.People close to the commission said that at least 89 percent of the votes had been counted and sifted for fraud in all province.

-Matt DiPietrantonio

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/world/asia/18kabul.html?hpw

Towns look to federal grants to help hire firefighters

A tool of public action is the federal government doling out grants-in aid. This is exactly what numerous fire departments in New Jersey are looking for to help them during the hard economic time. The departments in the rural area are struggling to pay their firefighters and for supplies. Each year the government gives out grants to pay some of the salaries of some of the departments. However, with a new high of 69 departments applying for the grant, it will be harder to receive the money. Grants is one of the more popular tools of government and it is vital for these areas to receive this money to have a realistic number of firefighters in each region.
-Will Kalish
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/10/towns_look_to_federal_grants_t.html

Neighborhood in shock over planned homeless camp

In Bremerton Washington a developer named Joel Adamson is planning on building a camp to house the homeless. The developer wants to put in enough cabins to hold as many as 45 adults and 75 children. Even though the developer says there is a need to help the homeless in Kitsap County, the residents of Bremerton are fighting the construction. The residents are complaining that their town is not the right place and it would not be safe. The developer is an example of a private organization trying to solve a public issue. Just as with any issue, people’s opinions differ and the people of the town are being selfish and do not want to give a little to help the needy, which is unfortunate.
-Will Kalish
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/105138604.html

New Tactic in California for Paying Pollution Bill

Officials unsuccessful attempt to clean the air in California's San Joaquin Valley are implementing a new strategy. They would like the millions of drivers to take responsibility for more of the cost. Since the San Joaquin Valley violated federal ozone limits they are faced with a fine of at least $29 million. Because of this quality regulators are proposing an annual surcharge of $10 to $24 on registrations fees for vehicles in the area. This is very unusual as the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution control district is penalizing the public for the pollution they create.

China Tests New Political Model in Shenzhen

The paradigm shift from classical public administration to new governance seems to be extending overseas. China's implementation of a new political model in the relatively progressive-thinking city of Shenzhen is a significant step for a predominantly communist country. It is a small step towards exploring the dissent-ridden issue of democratic reform. The program is cutting the costs of several government initiatives that result in high taxes for citizens and promoting outsourced, contractual welfare and educational initiatives instead. Next up is to begin transforming infrastructure and neighborhoods in rural areas. The model makes government smaller and society larger, and Shenzhen is serving as a pioneering community that will hopefully result in more efficient and effective authoritarian rule.

If it is Broke, Fix It

The article If it is Broke, Fix It, talks about how America is still living in the 19th Century and using our old institutions. We need to dramatically reform many things in our country such as our educational system, budgets, and other public institutions and practices. Some countries, such as Canada, have rewritten their constitution due to the changing world we live in.
America needs to change many of its foundational policies and change the way we live. We need to become a more fast-paced country to keep up with the standards. We need to reform many things to keep our country afloat.


-Elizabeth Woollen

http://publicagenda.org/articles/if-it-is-broke-fix-it

The Decline of the "Middle"

The article titled The Decline of the "Middle", discusses how America's middle class has been getting increasingly smaller. One cause of this problem is higher education. More and more people are either not attending college or dropping out before finishing. On the other hand, applications at prestigious colleges, such as Yale and Harvard, have been increasing. This shows that more people are either going to be in the wealthy class or in the poorer class.
To fix this problem, America needs to get more people into state colleges. The educational system also needs a higher quality of colleges and universities.

-Elizabeth Woollen

http://publicagenda.org/articles/the-decline-%E2%80%98middle%E2%80%99

Medicine's that cause what they hope to Prevent

Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered that in two known cases medicines that are supposed to be preventing certain things from happening, over time can end up causing them. This fact raises an issue of great importance in the world of modern medicine and presents a public policy issue of the testing period of drugs and assessing how issues like this can be prevented. The problem lies in the fact that most drugs are only tested in the premarket, for a short period of time so the long-term effects are relatively unknown. Experts are currently working to promote post-market testing, and online databases, establishing longer histories of the drug. But due to the length of the studies it will prove to be difficult.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/health/policy/17drug.html?ref=us

Ben Rains

How Countrywide Covered the Cracks

Back in 2006, the country's largest mortgage leader, Countrywide Financial experienced a record-breaking run. A year and a half later, Countrywide was forced to sell itself to Bank of America at a cheap price due to the losses experienced by handing out questionable loans. The Security Exchange Commission feels that Countrywide's CEO Angelo Mozilo deceived investors, leading them filing securities fraud charges against him. Mr. Mozilo did not admit to any wrongdoing but agreed to a settlement on the charges. The settlement signals an important day in the credit crisis. John M. McCoy III, leader of the S.E.C.'s legal team explains that "This settlement will provide affected shareholders significant financial relief, and reinforces the message that corporate officers have a personal responsibility to provide investors with an accurate and complete picture of known risks and uncertainties facing a company."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/business/17trial.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=us

California Struggles with Pot Legalization

Marijuana is the largest cash crop in the United States at an estimated $35.8 billion a year. Pot brings in so much money that it actually surpasses grapes in California, cotton in Alabama, and tobacco in the Carolinas. It nationally earns more than corn and wheat combined. With the exception of the fourteen states and the District of Columbia where it is legalized for prescribed medical use only, this drug is illegal. However, this could change for the state of California this November 2. The new law; called The Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010; would authorize local governments to regulate and tax the commercial cultivation of the plant. This could be seen as a public problem because it is unknown what kinds of problems this legalization could cause, depending on who is able to get his hands on it.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/72676/20101017/marijuana-california.htm

Kilee Imlay

Report Slams Administration for Underestimating Gulf Spill

The United States is still trying to clean up the mess that was created from the Gulf Oil Spill in April this year. The issue is that when the spill was occurring it has been reported that the government repeatedly underestimated the how much oil was flowing into the Gulf each day and on how much was left after the well was capped. During the spill the government stuck to its estimate saying that only 5,000 barrels a day was pouring into the Gulf, while BP and government scientists said it could be up to 110,000 barrels a day. Now the government is saying that 75% of the oil from the spill has been evaporated or cleaned, but you have to wonder if this is an underestimate to.


Matt Rister

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/science/earth/07spill.html?ref=todayspaper

When Drug Policies Fail

Mexico has been a hotbed of violence of the past four years ever since the government started what has become a civil war on drugs. The conflict has resulted in numerous acts of violence. During 2009 there was an average of 23 reported deaths related to drug violence every day. The increased violence between Mexican police and drug cartel has increased pressure on the government to improve the equipment provided for the police. This has become such a problem that there have been cases of the police protesting. This is a clear example of a failure in policy because an improper approach, the government should have done things from the bottom-up or not at all if they don’t have the resources to execute it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/opinion/17Mendoza.html

Legal Pot in California a Big Mistake

The article discusses the new Proposition 19, which is on the ballot in California in November. Proposition 19 would make it legal for anyone 21 or older to buy small amounts of marijuana. Facebook executives have made large donations to the support and campaigning of the new Act. The author of this article discusses how this change in policy could open the door to widespread use of the drug. I disagree with his opinion and feel like the passing of this act would not only help stop crime related with the drug, but open up the already crowded prison system and alleviate the system of all the petty, small marijuana related charges. The article is a good example of policy change and government regulation.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/14/navarrette.pot.prop/index.html

Federal Fishing Regulations

The fishermen of Martha’s Vineyard made certain that President Obama’s vacation was anything but relaxing.  When he arrived, he was greeted with air horns and protest signs protesting federal regulations on fishing.  The US government feels that many parts of New England are being over fished.  The biggest problem with professional fishing is that fishermen try to catch as many fish as possible to make the most amount of money, regardless of the effects on the ecosystem.  In the hopes to end overfishing the NOAA instituted a “catch share” program with the goal of creating a market-based incentive system that promotes sustainable fishing.  This is a good example of a regulation policy tool.

 -Robbie Nichols

http://politics.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/10/14/new-england-fishing-industry-bridles-under-federal-regulations.html

U.S. Will Enforce Marijuana Laws, State Vote Aside

Adam Nagourney explains how the Department of Justice, regardless if the voters approve the initiative and legalize marijuana in California, will still prosecute marijuana laws in California. Due to the amount of supports the initiative has a good chance of winning but it could also cause a substantial amount of conflict with the federal government. Even though Washington has paid little attention to the growing marijuana industry, Mr. Holder believes that legalizing marijuana will cause Washington to examine this situation much more than it did in the past. Other support passing the intiative because they believe that the prohibition has been a complete failure considering how easy it was for people to access marijuana. There are many supporter and many that oppose the initiative. Despite of the benefits California would receive by legalizing marijuana (revenue, less laws being broken, etc...) the Department of Justice is still going to step in.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16pot.html?pagewanted=2&ref=health

Q&A with Rahm Emanuel: His first Chicago interview

Rahm Emanuel, a candidate for Chicago’s next Mayor, underwent his first recorded interview since launching his campaign. A City Hall Reporter asked questions regarding Emanuel’s former conversations with Rod Blagojevich and the convicted former governor's chief-of-staff. Emanuel answered every question asked about the controversies that have surrounded his candidacy. Towards the end of the interview Emanuel seemed to become very repetitive, always referring back to the important “fundamental questions” and his ties with the children's health care bill. When the reporter asked about his policy and budget plans, the former White House chief-of-staff answered with open-ended questions and examples of what he had already accomplished in Washington. Emanuel was also accused of being a lobbyist with unofficial actors that helped him get elected to Congress.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2807920,CST-NWS-rahm17web.article

-Rebecca Jania

Black Turnout Will Be Crucial for Democrats

Democrat’s ability to get African American voters to the polls will be a crucial factor in determining whether or not they will keep their seats in both the Senate and the House. This will be especially important for Democratic candidates in the south who must also try to get more conservative whites to vote for them. The DNC will increase ads to get people out to vote. Unlike many white voters polls show that African American voters still support the president, this will help Democrats incumbents in the upcoming election. Democrats will continue to have an uphill battle as many voters believe that the president’s regulatory policies and expansion of government are taking the country in the wrong direction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/politics/17blackvote.html?_r=1&hp

Kate White

Improper Foreclosures?

A comprehensive review of the foreclosure crisis is underway to review the processes of foreclosure. There have been accusations that banks failed to review foreclosure documents properly, or stated false statements when then submitted for foreclosure. Foreclosure is very serious as it is a person's entire livelyhood and credibility. The housing secretary said that investigative agencies are sending out a clear message "Banks must follow the law - and those that haven't should immediately fix what is wrong. It is looking that now the people who started the crisis, may be well on the way to making it much worse. The Obama administration fully supports the coluntary morantoria that is already in place, and other should be created if deemed necessary. By keeping better records, and reviewing all afadavits before signing them should help American families from being foreclosed unjustly.

-Hayden Wolf

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101017/pl_nm/us_usa_foreclosures_donovan;_ylt=AvaC4VaR6BwBz_PX1oB5jeB34T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTMxbWNqcG43BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAxMDE3L3VzX3VzYV9mb3JlY2xvc3VyZXNfZG9ub3ZhbgRwb3MDMjEEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmb3JlY2xvc3VyZXA-