If I was to define Public Policy, I would describe it as a group of political officials coming together to collaborate and make decisions are certain topics that effect the community. These decisions will ultimately aid in resolving current issues while avoiding replica’s of the past with choices that did not fair well with the community (Rushefsky, 2013;2014;). These decisions should be made with the people’s interests at heart and the desire to progress as a community. While these decisions are ultimately made by the council, I do believe that the public should have an influential impact on these decisions.
As far as Public Policies that have impacted myself and family the most in my small town of Beaufort, SC; I would definitely have to say the every day road construction. The city has agreed to include new traffic lights & circles among the town and in doing so, multiple lanes have been blocked and traffic flow is pretty grueling come five’ O clock (Communications & Accountability Dept., 2018). I understand the purpose of this construction as to improve the over all quality for our community once finished, BUT the timeline for these changes is quite lengthy. I don’t believe that I have lived in Beaufort, where there has not been some type of road construction or brief road closures. I believe that these changes were made as Beaufort is an ever growing community. As time has passed, our town has brought in more franchise businesses among our “mom & pop” businesses that used to flourish in this town. Some of them still do, but with two Marine Corps bases in the area like Parris Island, SC; we often have many families traveling to us every other week for their Marine’s graduation and this brings even more traffic flow among the regulars in town. I surely hope that their road construction plan will be of great benefit in the future, but as is it seems like we are more backed up than ever before. It is an adjustment to say the least.
In regard to national policies that effect my family and I, I can’t think of one that is specific to my family, but I do know that this act will effect my daughter when she begins school. This act is the “Children’s Internet Protection Act” which ensures that schools are placing protection and blocks on their school computers to prevent children from being exposed to issues of an inappropriate nature on the internet (Federal Communications Commission, 2018). Its one thing to be able to monitor the activity that your child see’s at home on your personal electronics. That can be easily prevented if you understand how to place appropriate blocks, but when you’re children have to be away from you to learn, you want to know that they are in a safe environment where their minds and hearts will be protected at all times. I think that this is a great policy to abide by to ensure that all children are viewing the internet safely and are not exposed to the inappropriate that can float among the internet.
References:
Rushefsky, M. E. (2013;2014;). Public policy in the united states (Fifth;5; ed.). Florence: Routledge Ltd – M.U.A. doi:10.4324/9781315701394
Communications & Accountability Dept. (2018) “New Traffic Signal Installed on Bluffton Parkway at Hampton Parkway” retrieved from http://www.bcgov.net/news/2018/GA%20-%20031218%20-%20New%20Traffic%20Signal%20Installed%20on%20Bluffton%20Parkway%20at%20Hampton%20Parkway.pdf
Federal Communications Commission (2018) “Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)” retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act
Response two-podr-01
Prior to doing the reading I wanted to define public policy based on my previous understanding of the subject. At this time, I would define public policy as many levels of government, (in a hierarchy structure) from the lowest level (being the city), then counties, then states, and ultimately, the federal government, and policies (laws or regulations) that they all use to maintain order and address the needs and or well-being of the public. All these different agencies work together to ensure the best possible outcome for the citizens. For this part, I located a generic, and easy to understand definition. The article states (2011 p. 1) “that public policy is simply what government does or does not do about a problem that comes before them for consideration and possible action.” The analysis of this assertion is similar to what I had defined. Mine definition was a little more encompassing, and involved more levels, but I think it is important to remember there are multiple levels of government. With multiple levels, similar to the military structure, it can become easy for things to get lost, or harder to see the end goal; however, it is important to keep that end goal in sight and to keep working to the finish line.
One of the most unique public policies I like to talk about is Native American Sovereignty. Where I grew up, we have a large Native American Reservation. Sovereignty is defined as, “supreme and independent power or authority in government by a community, such as a nation or state. Indian tribes possess sovereignty.” (Sault Tribe, 2017, p. 1). These directly impacted me growing up because we had charter schools. While attending charter schools on the reservation, we had fewer students in our classes which created more of an academic environment to thrive.
According to the Center for Disease Control (2018, p.1) binge drinking is a common problem. Because of this, policies and agencies, such as the Community Preventive Services Task Force, and in the Air Force specifically, we have ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment) program. It is also stated that it is most prevalent in ages from 18-34. In the Air Force, especially in the dorms, with the young Airman, this is a problem on the weekends, or when shifts end. Because of this, I think that prevention and education goes a long way to help keeping our young population educated and healthy. For many of us, it is how we saw our parents or care takers deal with problems, so at first, we may feel it is the right way to do the same thing, when in reality, there are other ways of dealing or coping with tough times. Also, it has the potential to help young people less decisions they may regret in the future.
What is Public Policy? (2011). [Date file] Retrieved from http://www.civiced.org/pc-program/instructional-component/public-policy
Sovereignty. (2017). Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. [Date file] Retrieved from https://www.saulttribe.com/history-a-culture/sovereignty
US Adults Drink 17 Billion Binge Drinks a Year. (2018). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Date file] Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/features/binge-dr
Response three-podr—01
My initial thought regarding defining policy was simply that policy is law and law is action. And to an extent, I think that’s still true in the most basic of understandings. However, policy is much more robust and encompassing than the simple comparison allows. Howlett mentions policy as goals and progress towards goals. (Howlett, 2015) He also notes, similar to Kraft, that policy reflects and reacts to parties not directly involved in policy making (government) such as non-profits or “principal-agent” relationships. (Howlett, 2015) Howlett also breaks down the basic function of government, and my assumption of policy, as having three functions – to “plan, regulate, and fund.” (Howlett, 2015) Petridou indicates policy is action by any actor, including those in government positions, but not just those falling within the bounds of typically understood governmental roles. (Petridou, 2014) These alternate views expanded my understanding: policy is action by citizens and government to reflect the goals of the public through governmental function.
Recently, Wisconsin enacted new policy that impacts most of the people on the long-term care program I work for. Wisconsin became an “Employment First” state, which is now statewide policy to encourage integrated employment for those with developmental disabilities, while protecting their right to refuse community work. (2017 Wisconsin Act 178) This limits a recent federal policy that changed work requirements for those with developmental disabilities aged 18-26. Employment First allows for more client choice and gives them and their families the ability to make individualized plans and decisions regarding their futures. Employment First is a strong example of policy reflecting citizenry – after the recent federal rollout of WIOA, families championed loudly for more client rights.
National policies affect my daily life at every level. The apartment I live in follows Fair Housing Act rules. ( 42 U.S.C. §3601-3619) My appliances are made from imported parts developed through trade deals. I can see policy in the currency I use. (31 U.S.C. § 5103) My pay stubs show my tax contributions and health savings account contributions. (Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003) All of these policies have meant something to me – even on the most basic level. I have what I have because of policy. I can drink my imported coffee (Importation of coffee under International Coffee Agreement, 1983; Presidential powers and duties) while watching streaming applications running through the internet. (Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet) All of those things are products of policy, some of which I’ve been able to vote for.
– Cari
19 U.S. Code § 1356k – Importation of coffee under International Coffee Agreement, 1983; Presidential powers and duties
47 CFR Part 8 – Protecting and promoting the open internet
2017 Wisconsin Act 178
Fair Housing Act. 42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619
Howlett, M., Ramesh, M., & Wu, X. (2015). Understanding the persistence of policy failures: The role of politics, governance and uncertainty. Public Policy and Administration, 30(3-4), 209-220.
Legal Tender. 31 U.S.C. § 5103
Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003
Petridou, E. (2014). Theories of the policy process: Contemporary scholarship and future directions. Policy studies journal, 42(S1).
Response four podr-01
| How would you define public policy?
Public policy involves the collective action of an action group either created by citizens groups, governmental servants, or a collaboration of both which work to create a set of requirements or laws to enhance the lives of those living in a community or geographic area. Once a community engages in scaling up the amount of effort to provide services and sustaining growth requires more effort by those who are qualified to create processes which support appropriate laws or actions that are adopted and required by all who reside or work. Karacaoglu (2016), examined the need for local governments to work closer to the citizen to create a process which enhances the lives of the citizens they serve, by including citizens in democratic processes for growth and enhancements to local community growth. In garnering such interactions, there would be a greater chance to create and adopt favorable growth while identifying and correcting underserved public concerns. Within the city, the Water Quality Management fee is one public policy with direct impact to all of the residents of the city of Lexington, Kentucky. As such the Lexington water quality division, through the Lexington, Public Policy Commission voted on a direct fee to all users of the water systems to make upgrades to the aging water systems and computerized systems that collected usage information. As such, each saw a fee for the amount used if they were a business and a flat rate fee ($4.73 monthly) for homeowners and renters. As with the need to address policy making concerns as discussed by Howlett (2014), in deciding on the public policy, the commission which is a bi-partisan collaboration between citizens, business owners, and local government. The commission examined the need to replace, ability to allow business growth and the impact the policy would have on citizens due to the increased costs of services and the ability of the legislation to be passed within the local community. Within the state, increasing the sales tax on tobacco products, limiting public tobacco use locations and barring use on hospital and government grounds. While I do not smoke, this has an impact on my life as the costs of healthcare, taxes collected and burden to the community due to the declining health of individuals who use tobacco products effects the amount of taxes paid for increased medical expenses for those who are ill. Additionally, the rise in taxes collected affect the individuals more likely to need expanded services, wherein they subsidize the increased medical costs through their payment of the increased taxes. While I feel this unevenly burdens the economically disadvantaged, who are more likely to use tobacco products, those who do not use tobacco products are burdened by increased health care costs and secondhand smoke from others. Lastly, there are Criminal Justice reforms include the allowance to request the removal of a non-career, non-violent record so an individual who may have made a mistake once in their life, is not penalized for a lifetime and would be able to work as a productive citizen. Expunging is not only beneficial to the community, but it is also beneficial to the Federal prison system, for which I work, through the ability to provide expanded reentry programs to inmates who will qualify for greater job opportunities after release. 3) What about national policies? Have there been larger policies that you see a personal connection to? The Centers for disease control a national level agency, deals with public health policy on a national level, setting recommendations for health indicators to assists with creating apolicy that protects citizens from disease transmission and identifications (CDC, 2018). Specifically, the requirements to provide some level of vaccinations before children can go to schools. Disease control is relevant to all citizens throughout the United States to control, controllable viruses which could cause death or serious illnesses. Expanded access for underserved communities engages is often politicised actions on racial and economic issues, through the CDC policy is regulated by the careful findings of research and collaboration with State and local communities in creating actionable policy requirements and guidelines (State, Tribal, Local & Territorial Public Health Professionals Gateway, 2017) References CDC-Vaccination Laws. (2018). Retrieved April 05, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/vaccinationlaws.html Howlett, M. (2014). From the ‘old’ to the ‘new’ policy design: design thinking beyond markets and collaborative governance. Policy Sciences, 47(3), 187-207. doi:10.1007/s11077-014-9199-0 Karacaoglu, G. (2016). Citizen-centred public policy in a complex world. Public Sector, 39(4), 4. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1876054790?accountid=8289 State, Tribal, Local & Territorial Public Health Professionals Gateway. (2017, September). Retrieved April 5, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/stltpublichealth/policy/index.html |