highlight and discuss Georgia House Bill 673 (HB 673). HB 673 would require Georgia drivers to use hands free mobile devices when operating a vehicle. Though other states have passed similar legislation, this policy would go a bit further; by prohibiting the use of any devices that could be considered distracting while driving by specifically banning recording videos, watching movies and essentially includes any gadget that takes a drivers attention away from the road, with exceptions for 911 calls (Wickert, 2018).
Punishments for failure to adhere to this policy would range from large fines and points assessed against a driver’s license, to a 24 moth loss of the license all-together,(Wickert, 2018). As of 4/6/18, HB 673 has passed both the Ga House and Senate and is now with Gov. Deal, with the expectation that it will soon become law, (LegiScan, 2018).
It should be noted that proponents of this Bill cite rising highway fatalities in Georgia, which were over 1500 last year alone, maintaining that electronic devices play a major role in the deaths and believe that this Bill could save as many as 300 lives per year (Wickert, 2018).
Analysis
In the case of this Bill the theory of Rational Choice can definitely be applied. Since the rational choice theory is based on the idea that individuals and their own individual decisions are what creates social behaviors, allowing us to assume that each individual has a particular preference(s) among whatever alternatives are available. Thus it is also assumed that a rational individual will take into account all available information, the probabilities of events occurring, and weigh any potential costs versus benefits to determine said preferences, and will then act consistently with that determination to choose the best possible course of action.
We can see this theory at play because the proponents of the Bill have used studies and statistical data to help form a great deal of their argument for the establishment and passage of the measure, also within the rational choice theory there is an assumption that an individual has the utmost concern for his or her own well-being and will act in ways or make choices that are consistent with that assumption, meaning that, in this case, a driver will adhere to the law and avoid death, injury and punishment.
In further analysis, I can only conclude that given what many may feel is the restrictive nature of this bill, the fact that it has passed large hurdles in the form of other lawmakers, special interest groups and unhappy citizens is quite indicative of the expertise and policy-making skill of the authors of this bill. HB 673 will soon be law and whether an individual agrees with it or not, he or she will be expected to abide by it.
Refernce
Wickert, D. (2018, February 28). House passes bill to crack down on distracted driving. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from https://www.myajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/house-passes-bill-crack-down-distracted-driving/nwKy0ef221e0N2cUWj7X0L
Considine, M., Alexander, D., & Lewis, J. M. (2014). Policy design as craft: Teasing out policy design expertise using a semi-experimental approach. Policy Sciences, 47(3), 209-225. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy2.apus.edu/10.1007/s11077-013-9191-0
Trautman, R. R. (2016). Small-Town Policy Makers. Public Administration Review, 76(2), 221-224. doi:10.1111/puar.12526
PADM530 Lesson 2: Theories of Politics and Public Policy
Response two-pold-02
Response three pod-02
everal states have taken the initiative to enact paid family and medical leave programs, although there has been bipartisan support for a national program. New York recently finalized the Paid Family Leave Benefits Law (PFL) which went into effect January 1, 2018 (Walters, 2017). According to Dennison of the New York State Department of Health, every year since 2008 legislation was proposed for the NYS Paid Family Leave Act. In 2014, the NY Medicaid Redesign Team, Social Determinants Workgroup made ten recommendations, the third on the list was paid family leave. Finally, in 2014, the Act was signed into Legislation by Governor Cuomo and took almost 2 years to implement (Dennison, 2017).
Implementation of PFL offers job protection and enables employees to still earn a wage when they are unable to work due to certain circumstances. Three qualifying situations will afford employees benefits of PFL and include: caring for a family member with a serious illness; bonding with a newborn, adoption or foster child within the first 12 months; and to relieve family pressure when a family member is called for active military leave (Walters, 2017). Additionally, there are some employment requirements outlined in the law. To qualify, full time employees must work at least 20 hours per week and are eligible after 26 weeks of consecutive employment. Part time employees who work less than 20 hours are eligible after working 175 days which do not have to be consecutive. Those collecting benefits beginning in 2018 will earn 50% of their average weekly wage. These benefit levels will increase each year until 2021 when the program will be fully implemented at which time an employee will be eligible for 12 weeks of leave at 67% of their average weekly wage. Employees are however, contributing to this program through their paychecks similarly to a disability insurance benefit. In 2018, employees will contribute 0.126% of their weekly wage which is capped at $85.56 annually (April 2018).
The bill was sponsored by Assembly member Nolan who is also the chair of the Committee on Labor. He indicated that lack of paid family leave to NYS citizens has contributed to pay inequality and has held women back from the workforce which has led to a negative impact on the economy of NYS (March 2017). Additionally, there were interest groups working to create this benefit for the working class, specifically mentioned in several press releases put out by the Governor’s office was A Better Balance. A Better Balance is an advocacy group that works for the right of women and works toward solving the “work-family dilemma”. They began in 2016 working to raise awareness of the importance that caregiving is when making public policy decisions. The group promotes equality for men and women in all income brackets so they may care for their families without sacrificing employment and economic security (History & Timeline, n.d.).
From this week’s lesson, this policy making was driven by the Political System Theory. There were demands made by individuals and interest groups such as A Better Balance to enact legislation that would take some burden off women in the workplace, but also all family members who must care for someone. There has been talk nationally regarding the lack of time new mothers and fathers (through birth or adoption) are able to spend with their newest additions and returning to work too early can cause a lot of stress. In this case, the political actors in New York listened to the citizens and interest groups fighting for the cause and took note to enact legislation that would ease the burden of caring for a loved one off the working class. Some may argue that although it’s a benefit many will use, some may pay into the program and never benefit from its use as it is set up as an insurance policy, but for many that will utilize the program the benefits may far outweigh the costs.
References
Dennison, B.A., M.D. (2017, July 8). NY Law and Maternal Health: Your role in implementing the NY Paid Family Leave Act. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://www.nysperinatal.org/2017-Conference-Handouts
History & Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2018, from https://www.abetterbalance.org/about/history-timeline/
New York State Assembly Passes Paid Family Leave Act. (2015, March 17). Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://nyassembly.gov/press/20150317/
New York State Paid Family Leave. (2018, April 05). Retrieved April 10, 2018, from https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-paid-family-leave
Walters, C. (2017). Companies preparing for New York’s Paid Family Leave Law. Rochester Business Journal, 33(20), 12. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1935715507?accountid=8289
Response four pod-02
As this week our focus is on policy making, I will be speaking on a policy widely enforced among the state of South Carolina, which is the SC Title and Registration Requirements for boats (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2018). According to the South Carolina law, SC does not allow boats of any kind to be sold or purchased without a proper title available by the seller. Boats that are to abide by this rule other than motorized boats are to include sail boats. In addition, any outboard motors with a rating of five horsepower or greater must have been titled since July 1st of 1974 (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2018).
When analyzing the driving force behind this policy, I certainly believe that this policy has much to do with avoiding the sell and purchase of stolen boats. By having a title in hand and available to transfer, it is notable that the seller did not steal the boat and the buyer is not purchasing a stolen item. It is important for this rule to be enforced as ultimately by doing this, our government is saving the purchaser their time and money in avoiding fraud and theft. Likewise, by implementing this law, our police force will have less cases as these in hand to follow up on when paper work for buy and sell is in place. I also think that operating a boat is the same consensus as the operation of a vehicle in which titles are transferred and the motorized device is drivable, boats should most definitely fall under these same standards.
As far as which theory of politics this policy would fall under, I would consider this policy to fall under the rational choice theory (California State University Long Beach, 2002). It is completely rational to expect documentation to be transferred between a buyer and a seller. The local government has the ability to look back at the history of the community and address concerns with boats who have been stolen and fraud committed in the past. With that said, it is completely reasonable to consider a process that would avoid this situation from happening again. By having a paper trail set into place, it is viable that the boat is not stolen and it is also easy to see who has owned the boat in previous years before (California State University Long Beach, 2002).
Additionally by doing this, the current owner of the boat can address any concerns that he or she may have should the boat run into issues. These issues can be addressed with any one of the previous owners. As vehicle stops do tend to happen on the highway, they likewise happen in the marina area too. Police officers can easily identify the relationship between the individual and the boat with the proper documentation in hand. It is for these reasons that it is important not to take boats and the administrations public policy on boats for granted as this policy leads to a more organized process of procedures between the buyer, the seller, and any officials who may or may not be involved in the future.
References:
California State University Long Beach (2002) “Models of Public Policy-Making” retrieved from http://web.csulb.edu/~msaintg/ppa590/models.htm
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (2018) “Boating” retrieved from http://www.dnr.sc.gov/boating/
Response five pod-02
On temporary policies focus on issues that are current. One important issue that is impacting the public today is environmental issues. The state of Missouri has policies that help to protect the environment by protecting open spaces such and as forests and national parks (Environment Missouri 2018). The environmental policy also helps to protect water, so the citizens in Missouri have clean water and also protecting the air to preserve air quality (Environment Missouri 2018). Administrators try to inspire the public to be more ecofriendly, so natural resources are more likely to be preserved. The current focus of the environmental policy is to educate the public and businesses to commit to using 100% renewable energy (Environment Missouri 2018). Using resources that can be reused really helps the earth, so natural resources are not depleted. The policy strives to education the public, so they can make sustainable decisions (Environment Missouri 2018).
Policies concerning the environment in Missouri were created because of the declining quality of the environment. Many other states besides Missouri have created policies to address the environmental issues. The policy was created to address environmental issues that have the potential to harm public health. The air quality is one issue that is addressed. The air quality in Missouri is currently at a moderate level, but the goals it to have good air quality (EPA Missouri 2018). The state environmental also works to preserve the land by issues strict littering policies and addressing ways to preserve state parks. The policy addresses clean up in areas, so litter can be picked up (EPA Missouri 2018).Some of the public will litter, but willing citizens cleaning up areas is helpful to cut down on the litter in busy areas. The public water in Missouri is constantly checked by the clean water commission to make sure that the water is up to standards (EPA Missouri 2018).
Public administration and the public have had to work together to make environmental policy successful (Petridou 2014. Public administrators and most of the public can work together, as most of the public are concerned about the environment. Some of the public do need to be persuaded to assist and follow environmental policy as they may not be aware of or may not be concerned with environmental issues. Policies should be discussed and input should come from both sides before decisions are made to develop a policy. The policy seems to stem from the political systems theory. The public brings environmental complaints to the government and then policies are put in place to address the issues (Gunnell 2013). Changes will keep happening regarding the environment, so new policies will have to be developed and existing policies may need to be updates (Gunnell 2013).
References
Environment Missouri Research and Policy Center. (2018). Environment Missouri Center.
https://environmentmissouricenter.org/
EPA in Missouri. (2018). United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Gunnell, J, G. (2013) The Reconstitution of Political Theory: David Easton , Behaviorism, and the Long Road to System. Journal of the History of Behavioral Science. 49(2). 190-210.
Petridou, E. (2014). Theories of the Policy Process: Contemporary Scholarship and Future Directions. The Polocy Studies Journal. 42(51).