Project Citizen Lessons Ben Bohmfalk

Roaring Fork High School, CObbohmfalk@rfsd.k12.co.us

Project Citizen Lessons Ben Bohmfalk

Roaring Fork High School, CObbohmfalk@rfsd.k12.co.us

Should the government regulate…

Should the government regulate…

1. How many children a person can have

2. Whether a woman can have an abortion

3. Whether adults are allowed to smoke cigarettes in restaurants

4. How much fat is in hamburgers in fast-food restaurants

5. Whether parents can hit their children

1. How many children a person can have

2. Whether a woman can have an abortion

3. Whether adults are allowed to smoke cigarettes in restaurants

4. How much fat is in hamburgers in fast-food restaurants

5. Whether parents can hit their children

The government should…The government should…

Protect the environment Provide basic needs for needy people (food,

housing) Provide free public education for everyone Provide free health care for everyone Provide affordable housing for workers in

expensive areas

Protect the environment Provide basic needs for needy people (food,

housing) Provide free public education for everyone Provide free health care for everyone Provide affordable housing for workers in

expensive areas

Public Policy Articles Outline

Public Policy Articles Outline

For each article that you read, write a brief outline that includes the following information:

Quote the Headline/title Cite the source (newspaper/magazine name, author,

date, etc.) Summarize the article in your own words. What is

this article about? Level/branch/agency of government involved, or

that could become involved Vocabulary words that you don’t fully understand. Questions you have about the article. You must

have at least one.

For each article that you read, write a brief outline that includes the following information:

Quote the Headline/title Cite the source (newspaper/magazine name, author,

date, etc.) Summarize the article in your own words. What is

this article about? Level/branch/agency of government involved, or

that could become involved Vocabulary words that you don’t fully understand. Questions you have about the article. You must

have at least one.

Civil Society

Private sphere

Government

Friends and familyVoluntary

Very little govt involvementNon-governmental organizations

Non-profit organizationsVoluntary

Activist groups lobby govt.

Local, state, and federal levelsFunded by taxes

Makes, enforces, and interprets laws

WarmupWarmup

Is this an example of civil society, the private sphere, or government?

1. The state of Colorado prohibits smoking in all public places.

2. Solar Energy International, a non-profit group in Carbondale, campaigned to get a large solar power plant built in Carbondale.

3. ESPN and Aspen Skiing Company hosted the X-Games.

Is this an example of civil society, the private sphere, or government?

1. The state of Colorado prohibits smoking in all public places.

2. Solar Energy International, a non-profit group in Carbondale, campaigned to get a large solar power plant built in Carbondale.

3. ESPN and Aspen Skiing Company hosted the X-Games.

P. 15: define public policy P. 15: define public policy

Public Policy:Definition: a law, rule, or action the government adopts to deal with a problem

Examples:

WarmupWarmup

If you were “king for a day”, and could make any law or policy to solve any issue you choose, what would you do? What problem would you focus on?

If you were “king for a day”, and could make any law or policy to solve any issue you choose, what would you do? What problem would you focus on?

Write a paragraph to explain the problem or issue that you want to study for project citizen. Answer these questions in your paragraph:

What is the problem? What proof do you have that a problem exists?

How do you know that it is a public policy issue? Why should the government be involved in the solution?

What laws or policies already exist related to this problem? What is the problem with these policies?

What level of government is most responsible for dealing with the problem?

Where will you find more information about the problem?

If you already have a solution in mind, what is it?

Write a paragraph to explain the problem or issue that you want to study for project citizen. Answer these questions in your paragraph:

What is the problem? What proof do you have that a problem exists?

How do you know that it is a public policy issue? Why should the government be involved in the solution?

What laws or policies already exist related to this problem? What is the problem with these policies?

What level of government is most responsible for dealing with the problem?

Where will you find more information about the problem?

If you already have a solution in mind, what is it?

Triggering MechanismsGerston, p. 32

Triggering MechanismsGerston, p. 32

Factors which help determine if a problem has enough strength to capture the attention of public policy makers, or if it is a problem that is likely to be ignored by those with the power to address it.

Factors which help determine if a problem has enough strength to capture the attention of public policy makers, or if it is a problem that is likely to be ignored by those with the power to address it.

Scope (#’s)Scope (#’s)

How widespread is the problem? How many people are affected by it?

Percentage of one part of population OR Total number of people

The more, the merrier!

How widespread is the problem? How many people are affected by it?

Percentage of one part of population OR Total number of people

The more, the merrier!

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

EastWestNorth1st Qtr

2nd Qtr3rd Qtr4th Qtr

IntensityIntensity

How much do people care about the problem?

Are people passionate about it? The more intensely people feel, the more

likely policymakers will listen. Proof: personal stories, websites, groups,

letters

How much do people care about the problem?

Are people passionate about it? The more intensely people feel, the more

likely policymakers will listen. Proof: personal stories, websites, groups,

letters

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DurationDuration

How long has this been a problem? The longer, the better History of the problem

How long has this been a problem? The longer, the better History of the problem

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ResourcesResources

What is at stake because of this problem? What might people gain or lose, based on

the government’s response to this problem? Money, jobs, economy Natural resources Values Life/health Safety/ security

What is at stake because of this problem? What might people gain or lose, based on

the government’s response to this problem? Money, jobs, economy Natural resources Values Life/health Safety/ security

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Rate each issue using the triggering mechanisms chart

Rate each issue using the triggering mechanisms chart

Segregation, 1950 Terrorism, 9/10/2001 Terrorism, 9/12/2001 Quality of food in school cafeteria Global warming

Segregation, 1950 Terrorism, 9/10/2001 Terrorism, 9/12/2001 Quality of food in school cafeteria Global warming

WarmupWarmup

The cost of college tuition increases each year for Colorado students. How big of a problem is that? Rank this problem according to each of the “triggering mechanisms” below. Then, write a question that would need to answer to prove how big this problem is:

1. Scope: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

2. Duration: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

3. Intensity: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

§ Resources: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

The cost of college tuition increases each year for Colorado students. How big of a problem is that? Rank this problem according to each of the “triggering mechanisms” below. Then, write a question that would need to answer to prove how big this problem is:

1. Scope: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

2. Duration: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

3. Intensity: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

§ Resources: rating:what question do you need to answer to prove it?

WarmupWarmup

Now that you have demonstrated that a serious problem exists, what else do you think you need to do before a new public policy that addresses the problem is implemented? List the other steps you think your group needs

to take.

Now that you have demonstrated that a serious problem exists, what else do you think you need to do before a new public policy that addresses the problem is implemented? List the other steps you think your group needs

to take.

Alternative PoliciesAlternative Policies

Current policies in other places Cities, schools, counties States Other countries

Proposals from people that have not been implemented yet

Your new ideas

Current policies in other places Cities, schools, counties States Other countries

Proposals from people that have not been implemented yet

Your new ideas

Warmup, Your PolicyWarmup, Your Policy

Based on your research and analysis of alternative policies, what policy do you think would best address the problem? Write a few sentences to explain exactly what you think the best policy would say.

What level of government would be best to address this problem? Why?

Based on your research and analysis of alternative policies, what policy do you think would best address the problem? Write a few sentences to explain exactly what you think the best policy would say.

What level of government would be best to address this problem? Why?

RolesRoles

Discussion leader Note taker Artist Speaker

Discussion leader Note taker Artist Speaker

Types of PoliciesTypes of Policies1. Requirement/mandate policy (you HAVE TO…if you want to…)

… “shall…”

• the policy requires people to do something, often in exchange for a privilege

• Examples: drivers’ license, FAD is a graduation requirement

• Beware “unfunded mandates”2. prohibition policy

the policy criminalizes or otherwise prohibits certain actions or items

Must involve a penalty for enforcement Examples: drugs, alcohol for minors, murder

1. Requirement/mandate policy (you HAVE TO…if you want to…)… “shall…”

• the policy requires people to do something, often in exchange for a privilege

• Examples: drivers’ license, FAD is a graduation requirement

• Beware “unfunded mandates”2. prohibition policy

the policy criminalizes or otherwise prohibits certain actions or items

Must involve a penalty for enforcement Examples: drugs, alcohol for minors, murder

3. incentive policy (PLEASE….reward…$$$)• the policy provides incentives, often in the

form of lower taxes, to encourage people to behave a certain way

• Examples: rebates for solar panels, free parking for hybrid cars in Aspen, refunds for returned bottles

• Problems: decreases govt revenue, “social engineering”

3. incentive policy (PLEASE….reward…$$$)• the policy provides incentives, often in the

form of lower taxes, to encourage people to behave a certain way

• Examples: rebates for solar panels, free parking for hybrid cars in Aspen, refunds for returned bottles

• Problems: decreases govt revenue, “social engineering”

Types of PoliciesTypes of Policies

4. disincentive policy (PLEASE DON’T…) the policy discourages certain actions, usually through

taxes or fees; note that the action is still legal, but there is a disincentive for people to choose to do it

Examples: gas guzzlers’ tax, “sin” taxes on alcohol, tobacco

5. service policy (the government will…) the policy mandates the government to provide specific

services to people; these are usually services that may not be provided efficiently in a free-market environment

Examples: schools, police, fire department, social security….

4. disincentive policy (PLEASE DON’T…) the policy discourages certain actions, usually through

taxes or fees; note that the action is still legal, but there is a disincentive for people to choose to do it

Examples: gas guzzlers’ tax, “sin” taxes on alcohol, tobacco

5. service policy (the government will…) the policy mandates the government to provide specific

services to people; these are usually services that may not be provided efficiently in a free-market environment

Examples: schools, police, fire department, social security….

Visuals: what kind of policy is represented by each picture?

Visuals: what kind of policy is represented by each picture?

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What kind of policy is represented by each phrase?

What kind of policy is represented by each phrase?

Warmup: What is the govt’s goal in each policy below? What type of policy is each

example?

Warmup: What is the govt’s goal in each policy below? What type of policy is each

example?1. Cars may not be left idling in Basalt for more than two minutes.

Violaters will be fined $50. • Goal: ______ Policy type:_____

2. Medicaid will pay the hospital bills for any child born very prematurely.• Goal:________ Policy type:_________

3. A developer is allowed to build more houses on his property if he makes them affordable.• Goal:___________ policy type:_________

4. Companies must pay $1000 for each ton of CO2 they emit into the atmosphere.• Goal:___________ policy type:_________

5. All homes in Colorado must have a smoke detector installed.• Goal:_________ policy type:____________

1. Cars may not be left idling in Basalt for more than two minutes. Violaters will be fined $50. • Goal: ______ Policy type:_____

2. Medicaid will pay the hospital bills for any child born very prematurely.• Goal:________ Policy type:_________

3. A developer is allowed to build more houses on his property if he makes them affordable.• Goal:___________ policy type:_________

4. Companies must pay $1000 for each ton of CO2 they emit into the atmosphere.• Goal:___________ policy type:_________

5. All homes in Colorado must have a smoke detector installed.• Goal:_________ policy type:____________

Federal govt. powers in the Constitution

Federal govt. powers in the Constitution

Enumerated (Article 1, Section 8) Necessary and proper clause

Congress can make all laws which are necessary and proper for exercising enumerated powers

Commerce clause Interstate trade can be regulated by the federal govt. Anything (including labor) that can be traded across

state lines General welfare clause

Make laws in the “general welfare” of the U.S.

Enumerated (Article 1, Section 8) Necessary and proper clause

Congress can make all laws which are necessary and proper for exercising enumerated powers

Commerce clause Interstate trade can be regulated by the federal govt. Anything (including labor) that can be traded across

state lines General welfare clause

Make laws in the “general welfare” of the U.S.

Constitutional IssuesConstitutional Issues

“Ex post facto” clause “after the fact” Laws may not punish people for actions they took

before the law was passed, or increase punishment

Ninth Amendment Protects rights not specifically listed in Constitution

Tenth Amendment Powers not given to the federal govt. by the

Constitution are reserved to the states

“Ex post facto” clause “after the fact” Laws may not punish people for actions they took

before the law was passed, or increase punishment

Ninth Amendment Protects rights not specifically listed in Constitution

Tenth Amendment Powers not given to the federal govt. by the

Constitution are reserved to the states

Policy buzz wordsPolicy buzz words Enhancement Effectiveness Improvement Strengthening New Positive helping

Enhancement Effectiveness Improvement Strengthening New Positive helping

InitiativeReducingReductionBetterCleanGreen

Examples:Safer Alternative For Enjoyable RecreationDevelopment, Relief and Education for Alien Minors ActAnti-Bark Beetle ActRoadway Animal Detection Systems

How policies are madeHow policies are made

Federal government: Policymaking body: Congress Bill is introduced, sent to committee, voted on in whole House or

Senate; repeat process in other chamber; conference committee; President

State government: Policymaking body: Colorado General Assembly Same basic process as federal legislation: chart Alternative: initiative process

Single-subject rule File by April 25 Gather 76, 074 signatures Vote in general election (November), must win majority

Federal government: Policymaking body: Congress Bill is introduced, sent to committee, voted on in whole House or

Senate; repeat process in other chamber; conference committee; President

State government: Policymaking body: Colorado General Assembly Same basic process as federal legislation: chart Alternative: initiative process

Single-subject rule File by April 25 Gather 76, 074 signatures Vote in general election (November), must win majority

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How policies are made locallyHow policies are made locally

Town Government Policymaking body: Town Council

Introduce policy proposal Hold public hearings Make a motion to approve or deny Vote (4/7=majority)

School District Policymaking body: School Board

Introduce policy proposal Hold 3 public readings Make a motion to approve or deny Vote (3/5=majority)

County Government Policymaking body: County Commission

Town Government Policymaking body: Town Council

Introduce policy proposal Hold public hearings Make a motion to approve or deny Vote (4/7=majority)

School District Policymaking body: School Board

Introduce policy proposal Hold 3 public readings Make a motion to approve or deny Vote (3/5=majority)

County Government Policymaking body: County Commission

Action Plan: StakeholdersAction Plan: Stakeholders

Stakeholders are entities who have a direct interest in, or who are in any way affected by, the policy in question, either directly or indirectly.

Stakeholders are entities who have a direct interest in, or who are in any way affected by, the policy in question, either directly or indirectly.

StakeholdersStakeholders

Direct beneficiaries people or groups who gain something as a direct result

of a policy Intended targets of the policy

Examples: children in school, retirees with Social Security.

Indirect beneficiaries people or groups who may enjoy some benefit from the

policy, but are not the direct targets of the policy Examples: employers benefit from public schools because they

have an educated workforce

Direct beneficiaries people or groups who gain something as a direct result

of a policy Intended targets of the policy

Examples: children in school, retirees with Social Security.

Indirect beneficiaries people or groups who may enjoy some benefit from the

policy, but are not the direct targets of the policy Examples: employers benefit from public schools because they

have an educated workforce

Stakeholders Stakeholders

Profiteers people or groups who stand to make a financial profit

through legitimate business associated with the policy Examples: defense contractors, construction companies hired

to build a new school

Opponents people or groups who may be against the policy for any

number of reasons, including philosophic or ideological differences, financial impacts of the policy, etc

Profiteers people or groups who stand to make a financial profit

through legitimate business associated with the policy Examples: defense contractors, construction companies hired

to build a new school

Opponents people or groups who may be against the policy for any

number of reasons, including philosophic or ideological differences, financial impacts of the policy, etc

Action Steps: put in order from first steps to last resorts

Action Steps: put in order from first steps to last resorts

Civil disobedience Getting petitions signed by citizens Boycotts of specific business or government agencies Attending public meetings and proposing policy changes Writing letters to public officials Contacting the media, writing press releases Staging protests and demonstrations against specific

government policies or actions Lobbying public officials in person Holding public meetings to gain support for a policy

proposal Form an organization and recruit members Create a website/ MySpace group page/ blog

Civil disobedience Getting petitions signed by citizens Boycotts of specific business or government agencies Attending public meetings and proposing policy changes Writing letters to public officials Contacting the media, writing press releases Staging protests and demonstrations against specific

government policies or actions Lobbying public officials in person Holding public meetings to gain support for a policy

proposal Form an organization and recruit members Create a website/ MySpace group page/ blog

Ideas for gaining supportIdeas for gaining support

Inform the public about your issue Hold public meetings or events Picketing Letters to the editor Press releases Form an organization and recruit members Distribute flyers, posters, emails, info Create a website/ Facebook group/MySpace group page/ blog Ask for letters of support, signatures to petitions, etc. Focus on influential groups and individuals

Businesses, community leaders, existing groups, etc.

Inform the public about your issue Hold public meetings or events Picketing Letters to the editor Press releases Form an organization and recruit members Distribute flyers, posters, emails, info Create a website/ Facebook group/MySpace group page/ blog Ask for letters of support, signatures to petitions, etc. Focus on influential groups and individuals

Businesses, community leaders, existing groups, etc.

Gaining supportGaining support

Lobby specific policymakers Write letters, call, email, fax, visit offices Present at public meetings Submit petitions, results of surveys, letters of

support from influential groups/people Get staff members on your side Build a relationship with your elected official

Lobby specific policymakers Write letters, call, email, fax, visit offices Present at public meetings Submit petitions, results of surveys, letters of

support from influential groups/people Get staff members on your side Build a relationship with your elected official