‘Dark money’ groups pour tens of millions of dollars into N.J. elections. Lawmakers want to know their donors.
The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Abby K. Wood of the USC Gould School about the use of dark money in political advertising. “When these groups run negative political advertising, viewers have no idea who is behind the message, said Abby K. Wood, a professor of law, political science, and public policy at the University of Read more…
Ed Case Shows How Not to Reach Out to Your Nonwhite Constituents
Slate quoted Christian Grose of the USC Dornsife College on how candidates must build coalitions in majority-minority congressional districts. Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California who has conducted research on the racial dynamics of congressional representation, argued that the success of candidates in majority-minority districts depended on Read more…
Unsavory pork & decentralization
by Pamela Clouser McCann Bridges to nowhere, airports named for legislators, and construction signage regarding taxpayer dollars at work—these are typical accoutrements of legislative office. Showing your constituents what you have done for them on the Hill can be a challenge, but members of Congress often do so by using Read more…
Scholars convene on methods and trends in subnational policy making research
“The study of state and local politics has taken off over the last decade. Data, methods, and research interests have evolved. There are a variety of important questions that can’t be examined well at the Federal level, because of severe case limitations. But scholars can get leverage on these questions Read more…
The Eternal Struggle for Power on Capitol Hill
by Anthony Orlando Power is up for grabs in Washington. A controversial President, an unpopular Congress, and a midterm election all make 2018 a battleground for political control. Who will win? How will they do it? And what role do you play? This is story of the most consequential game ever Read more…
Democrats look to make GOP irrelevant again in California Legislature
San Francisco Chronicle quoted Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School about the Democratic party’s supermajority in California politics. “Democrats have been spoiled with that supermajority,” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a University of Southern California political science professor. “They like it. Who wouldn’t like it, if you were in Read more…
Who Has the Ear of Your Legislators and Why They Can’t Seem to Get Anything Done
We’re six months away from one of the most consequential midterm elections in modern history, and Americans are fed up with Congress. Politicians have gotten a bad rap throughout history, but today’s legislators are setting record lows in approval ratings and public trust. What gives? Why do they disappoint us so often? Are they really ignoring our needs and demands, or are we misunderstanding the challenges they face?
In this episode, Sarah Anderson shows that it’s a little of both: politicians don’t listen to all constituents equally, but they also can’t just snap their fingers and fulfill our wishes.
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Who Do Politicians Really Represent & Do We Notice?
In this episode, Brian Newman uncovers who’s represented, who’s not, and how it affects their view of government.
Policy Tools, Compromise, & Quarrels in the U.S. Congress
Governmental public policies provide a framework for programs, services, and resource allocations to address societal problems. The bicameral nature of the United States Congress provides a setting for conflict not just on whether to reform existing policy, but on what policy instruments to employ.
California Experiments with Crowdsourcing Legislation
by Jeremy Loudenback Crowdsourcing is a familiar term in the world of fundraising, where platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have helped bring to life passion projects and dynamic new businesses. Crowdsourcing has also made its mark on the world of social enterprise and marketing campaigns. And now you can add government to that Read more…
Tax Expenditure Framework Legislation
SPPD Governance Salon featuring Edward Kleinbard, USC Gould School of Law April 7, 2010 Abstract:Explicit federal outlays are determined through elaborate budget procedural rules (framework laws), but tax expenditures in many respects fall outside these established Congressional procedures. The preparation of the annual federal budget therefore privileges tax subsidies over Read more…