EPIG and WISE How can I relate my project to Government?

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS DESCRIBES : A SOCIAL CONDITION? A PUBLIC POLICY? A “PLAYER”?

Public policy Public policy is one of the terms that we often hear, but few of us understand. It is the system of laws, regulations, and funding around a set of issues, adopted by government, which defines its priorities. All government action in the United States – local, state, and federal – stems from the U.S. Constitution.governmentU.S. Constitution. The United States, along with most state and local governments, has many public policies. We provide: a free public education from kindergarten through high school.education We provide an infrastructure – streets, sidewalks, lighting, parks, and sewers. We make some effort to conserve our natural resources and prevent pollution.conserve We prohibit legal discrimination in a variety of categories and help people who have suffered discrimination. We protect health and safety by regulating food, water, medicine, restaurants, smoking, landfills, garbage collection, sewage treatment facilities, hospitals, schools, motor vehicles, housing, nuclear facilities, public transportation, public utilities, and workplaces.food, water, medicinehousing

We regulate banks, securities dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions – at least superficially.securities dealers We provide the National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Library of Congress, and college financial aid.Library of Congresscollege financial aid We promote public service, refugee resettlement, historic preservation, international relations, entrepreneurship, and voting.public servicerefugee resettlementhistoric preservationinternational relationsentrepreneurshipvoting Then there are the big ones – health, welfare, abortion, and marriage.

What is a social problem? A social problem is a condition that at least some people in a community view as being undesirable. Everyone would agree about some social problems, such as murders and DWI traffic deaths. Other social problems may be viewed as such by certain groups of people. Teenagers who play loud music in a public park obviously do not view it as a problem, but some other people may consider it an undesirable social condition. Some nonsmokers view smoking as an undesirable social condition that should be banned or restricted in public buildings. Every newspaper is filled with stories about undesirable social conditions. Examples include crime, violence, drug abuse, and environmental problems. Such social problems can be found at the local, state, national and international levels.

Specific community locations Your own community consists of… your school and your school district; your village, town or city; your county. The four examples of social problems above could possibly exist in all of these communities. For example, there could be a problem of increased stealing within your school or throughout the school district. Likewise, local police agencies—village, town, city and county.

Social condition?Public Policy? Or “Player”? “N.Y.S. Legislature Passes Bill Requiring that People Convicted of Homicide be Executed” This is in reaction to increased crime & violence in society due to variety of factors. Governor will make this a law with his signature

So: Which is Which? Bill passed for executing murderers is ___?__ Increased crime and murder is the ________ The Governor is the _____________

So What? Why do we have to identify Policies, issues, and players? When all three are present in a problem it helps us to break the problem into smaller parts

There are different levels of government: Each level has the power (or jurisdiction) to control certain things at the local, state, national or international level

Identify the level of Jurisdiction: 1)Local, 2)State, 3) National,or 4)International? Legislature Passes Law Establishing 21 Year Old Drinking Age

Local, State, National or International Jurisdiction? “Kingston City Council increases spending on Parks and Recreation”

Local, State, National or International? The School Board agrees to increase student parking area on campus.

Local, State, National, or International? United Nations passes resolution critical of Israel as Middle East crisis continues

Local, State, National, or International? U.S. Supreme Court rules Affordable Care Act legal citing the power to tax of Congress

Local, State, National, International? City Court Judge Sentences Smith to 50 Weeks of Community Service

Local, State, National, International? President Vetoes Bill that would make Medicare a voucher system

Local, State, National, International? Ulster County Jury agrees with D.A.: Burglar Convicted!

So What? Why do we care about Jurisdictions? When we do our research it will help us to know what level of government is most effective in dealing with the problem we have to solve And therefore, save us time in getting to the people who will help us: The players who matter

Currently in New York State there is a 2% Cap on Property Taxes Identify the following: The social condition which prompted the law: The players who have had an impact by passing and signing the law: What has been the unintended consequence or result? Read about the schools in Ulster County and what they have had to do. Write about two of them in your journal. One should be Saugerties!

Students in an elementary school, teachers, and administrators were killed by an assault weapon Approximately 20,000 people commit suicide with guns every year What public policies have been proposed for dealing with those social conditions? Which levels of government have jurisdiction? Who are the players? Do some research and write about it in your journal.

Now: Identify a Social condition that you are interested in What is the problem? (the social condition?) Who needs to deal with it? (Jurisdiction) Who are the “players” (the decision makers)? What research needs to be done in order to make a public policy proposal ? Write about your research in your journal and make contact with the players who need to pass a law or decide about the problem

Consider Your Project: Are there any laws or public policies that impact upon your project?(Talk that over with your mentor) What social conditions ( things that need to be dealt with in life that relate to your project?) Who are the decision makers that may need to be asked for help? Can you attend meetings or events that might have an impact relating to your project? Research and write about government requirements, regulations or standards relating to your project.