Homework: Public Policy Lecture Feedback & Response
Lecture Review: Welfare, Social Security & Environmental Policy
Welfare & Social Security Policy
i. Explain what a social welfare program is in the United States and why they are needed.
ii. How is poverty defined in the United States?
iii. According to the Hamilton Project through the Brookings Institute, what group experiences the highest rates of poverty in the U.S.?
iv. Social Security is the largest federal spending program in the U.S. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities readings has this program been successful? What are examples of this?
v. What challenge(s) does Social Security currently face?
vi. What are the two major federal welfare programs? What do they provide?
PlaySpent Poverty Experience: Visit PlaySpent website and complete the experience. You only need to complete the experience one time. The goal is not necessarily to have money in the bank at the end of the experience but to develop an understanding regarding the types of situations that those in poverty face. Write a reflection regarding your thoughts and feelings after completing the Play Spent online experience. This should be approximately 2 paragraphs.
Things to Consider
What was your key take-away regarding policymaking by members of the Indiana State Legislature? What did you learn about the policy process at the State House? How does this inform or impact your plans to advocate for policy issues? How does this work impact individuals, families, communities, and the state? How does this relate to information provided in the Public Policy text by Kraft & Furlong regarding state policy making?
Environmental & Energy Policy
i. Define the role of environmental policy in the United States and list the three focus areas of this policy.
ii. What is the role of state government regarding environmental policy?
iii. The 1970's saw several major environmental protection statutes enacted. Name one of these policies. What was accomplished because of the act? Do you believe that this was beneficial? Why or why not?
iv. There is much debate and politicization of environmental policy in the United States. What are two of the attributes of the Clean Power Plan from 2015 (See information in the Public Policy text pages 398 - 399 and the YouTube Video "The Clean Power Plan Explained by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy" of former EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy)? What are two of the attributes of America First Energy Plan from 2017(See the issue brief from the Atlantic Council: Global Energy Center)? What are similarities and differences?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.