State Policy Changes Research Articles

Globalization, Migration, Citizenship, and Sport Celebrity: Locating Lydia Ko between and beyond New Zealand and South Korea

The contested terrain surrounding globalization, migration, citizenship, and national identity shape the context in which modern sport celebrity develops in Asia. Focusing on female golf phenomenon Lydia Ko, the analysis locates her celebrity and national identity between her place of birth – Korea – and her place of citizenship – New Zealand. Several intersecting factors influenced Ko’s celebrity and identity construction including changes in New Zealand immigration policy, changes in Korean state policy towards overseas nationals, negatively viewed attitudes and behaviours of previous foreign-born celebrities of Korean-descent, and Ko’s own public proclamations regarding her national identity.

The Political Economy of Death: Do Coroners Perform as well as Medical Examiners in Determining Suicide?

The determination of death in the United States can have strong financial implications. For example, a declaration of suicide can nullify life insurance benefits. However, the intent of death may be made by an elected official who is not required to have any medical training. Medical examiners and coroners determine cause of death when the death is sudden, violent, or untimely. Consequently, these officials can affect counts of sudden infant death syndrome, homicide, and suicide in a state. This paper uses a difference-in-differences model to estimate the effect of elected coroners versus appointed medical examiners on a state’s suicide rate. Elected coroners need not receive training in 13 states, must receive initial and continuous training in 16 states, and are required to be physicians in 4 states. We exploit state policy changes to the minimum required training elected coroners must complete. Data on the underlying intent of death is collected from the CDC Wonder mortality files from 1968 - 2016. We find strong evidence that states with a centralized medical examiner reports between 11 - 16 percent higher rate of suicides than coroner controlled states. Likewise, coroner states with a state medical examiner report a similar increase in suicide rates of 11 percent.

After the Punctuation: Competition, Uncertainty, and Convergent State Policy Change

What happens after longstanding policies are overthrown in fierce political battles, events scholars refer to as punctuated equilibrium? Do these new policies remain static and unchanging until the next big punctuation, or do they continue to change in explainable and predictable ways? In this article, we develop a model of postpunctuation policy change grounded in theories of boundedly rational decision-making by policymakers. Uncertain about how well the new policy will perform, policymakers learn to rely on competing interest groups for information or, under certain circumstances, look to other political jurisdictions for cues on how their policies ought to be further refined. We test our predictions by studying changes in state charter school laws from 1996 to 2014. We find evidence of policy change, and even convergence, across states suggesting that policies after punctuation do change in ways explained as reactions to political pressures in an environment fraught with uncertainty.

Good Samaritan harm reduction policy and drug overdose deaths.

To examine the effects of a harm reduction policy, specifically Good Samaritan (GS) policy, on overdose deaths. Secondary data from multiple cause of death, mortality records paired with state harm reduction and substance use prevention policy. We estimate fixed effects Poisson count models to model the effect of GS policy on overdose deaths for all, prescription, and illicit drugs, controlled substances, and opioids, while controlling for other harm reduction and substance use prevention policies. We merge secondary data sources by state and year between 1999 and 2016. We fail to identify a statistically significant effect of GS policy in reducing overdose deaths broadly. While we are unable to identify an effect of GS policy on overdose deaths, GS policy may have important effects on first-stage outcomes not investigated in this paper. Given recent state policy changes and rapid increase in many categories of overdose deaths, additional research should continue to examine the implementation and effects of harm reduction policy specifically and substance use prevention policy broadly.

OVERCOMING THE FINANCIAL AID BARRIER FOR E-LEARNERS

Financial aid systems help make higher education available to all who can benefit. To “adjust” the existing financial aid system to make it more student-friendly and open doors currently closed to many part-time learners and students with the greatest financial challenges, state policy changes and greater private sector initiatives targeted at workforce can use creative strategies, including altering state-based programs, creating new learning tax incentives, coordinating employer-based aid, and distributing aid directly to students.

An Examination of Changes to State Civic Education Requirements, 2004–2016

Across the country, states are considering policies that support civic learning among youth. Recent initiatives at the state level have changed graduation requirements and state assessments around high school civics. These initiatives can be grouped into three types: coursework, assessments, and accountability. The first type, coursework, refers to whether a state’s graduation requirements include a course in civics. The second, assessments, encompasses state requirements that students be assessed on civics or citizenship education. The third type, accountability, refers to whether a state’s accountability system includes state assessments in civics or citizenship education. The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) to describe state policies in civics education and the variation in them among the American states, (2) to document the changes in state policies between 2004 and 2016, and (3) to help unpack the reasons behind changes to civics education policy among the American states. We find considerable variation in civics education policies across states, as well as substantial changes within states over time. Using event history analysis, we exploit the variation to examine the extent to which political, economic, and demographic factors inside a state as well as the actions of neighboring or regional states condition adoption of assessment policies. We find evidence that the proportion of Hispanic and black populations in a state are positively associated with adoption and discuss implications and areas for future research.

Қазіргі заманғы Қытайдағы мемлекет және дін қатынасы

The article examines and in a historical aspect analyzes the situation of religion in China. In China, religious activities such as Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity and Islam, as well as the Chinese Buddhist society, the Chinese Taoist society, the Chinese Catholic community, the Chinese Christian community, the Chinese committee of the patriotic movement of Christians, the Chinese Catholic bishop's college as a nationwide religious community, are allowed with their attitudes are vested with the right to choose their governing body and leader. There are about 70 religious educational institutions in China, in particular, such as the Nanjing Christian Religious Academy, the Islamic Institute of China, the Tao Institute, the Buddha Institute, the Chinese Catholic Theosophical Academy, etc. Geopolitical changes and globalization processes taking place in the modern world affect the tasks of the state authorities of the PRC in the religious sphere. The purpose of this study is to analyze the Chinese model of religious activity regulation. The article considers the features of politics in the sphere of religion, as well as the religious situation in China. The religious situation in Tibet, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is shown. The dynamics of religiosity is given, the emphasis is on changing state policy in the field of religion, creating a regulatory framework for the regulation of state-church relations in China. The article used such methods as the unity of historical and logical, concrete historical approach, methods of comparative and system analysis.

Local government in Russia: de jure and de facto

The analysis of the RF Federal Law of 6 October 2003 No 131-FZ, which enshrines the general principles of the organization of local self-government in the Russian Federation, demonstrates the consistent introduction of amendments aimed at restricting the autonomy of local self-government, which clearly contradicts the constitutional provisions on local self-government. In this regard, it seems necessary to determine the presence of the lower level of public authority (local self-government), for which it is necessary to reveal the conformity of the modern realities of local self-government with constitutional provisions and normative legal acts adopted for their development, that is, correlate de jure and de facto. The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the highest constitutional justice body, has a great influence on the formation of local self-government in the Russian state. It forms the legal position on the organizational, legal, competence, territorial, financial and economic foundations of local self-government. In this regard, researchers are interested in the legal positions of the RF Constitutional Court regarding the autonomy of local self-government and its relations with state authorities, which have undergone significant changes throughout the entire period of reforming local self-government. Based on the analysis of changes in the legislation on local self-government and the legal positions of the RF Constitutional Court, this article shows the inconsistency of local self-government at the present stage of its development. Thus, the author proves that there are no working mechanisms for the implementation of local self-government by the population. This article concludes that the current situation requires special attention and attitude from the state, since without purposeful changes in the state policy in the sphere of local self-government it is impossible to preserve such postulates enshrined in the Russian Constitution, as democracy and local government.

The global surgery blood drought: frontline provider data on barriers and solutions in Bihar, India

ABSTRACTBackground: Limited access to safe, timely banked blood is a critical barrier to providing basic surgical care in resource-limited settings globally. Contextual, locally driven data are required to elucidate country needs, develop effective interventions, and guide policy decisions.Objective: We employ qualitative methodology to describe barriers faced and solutions proposed by front-line obstetric providers in Bihar – a poor, populous Indian state where maternal mortality exceeds the national average. We aim to make locally driven recommendations for ongoing policy work in India to strengthen the country’s blood transfusion system.Methods: From February to May 2016, two researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 obstetric providers across Bihar. Snowball sampling was employed until thematic saturation was reached. Following immersion into de-identified texts and dual codebook development, a primary analyst completed topical coding, and a secondary analyst confirmed reproducibility.Results: Providers report that pervasive banked blood shortages force hospitals to require replacement donation, but patients’ families often cannot or will not donate. Providers wait one to six hours for blood, depending on availability of staff and supplies, blood bank proximity, and the ability of the patient being treated to navigate the system. Providers feel forced to refer their patients, often to distant, poorly equipped centers. Providers identify donor education, improved infrastructure, and improved local coordination as focus areas for intervention.Conclusions: A multi-stakeholder approach that aims to increase blood donation through community education, mitigate limited infrastructure through short-term workarounds, and improve local-level coordination through state support and policy change is required in Bihar. This study generates data to guide policy and future research aimed at generating affordable, contextually appropriate interventions to the blood drought.

Impact of Policy Interventions on Postoperative Opioid Prescribing.

To assess postoperative opioid prescribing in response to state and organizational policy changes. We used an observational study design at an academic medical center in the Northeast United States over a time during which there were two important influences: 1) implementation of state rules regarding opioid prescribing and 2) changes in organization policies reflecting evolving standards of care. Results were summarized at the surgical specialty and procedure level and compared between baseline (July-December 2016) and postrule (July-December 2017) periods. We analyzed data from 17,937 procedures from July 2016 to December 2017, two-thirds of which were outpatient. Schedule II opioids were prescribed in 61% of cases and no opioids at all in 28%. The median morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed at discharge decreased 40%, from 113 MME in the baseline period to 68 MME in the postrule period. Decreases were seen across all the surgical specialties. Postoperative opioid prescribing at the time of hospital discharge decreased between 2016 and 2017 in the setting of targeted and replicable state and health care organizational policies. Policies governing the use of opioids are an effective and adoptable approach to reducing opioid prescribing following surgery.

Editorial Essay: From Cautious Optimism to Renewed Pessimism: Labor Voice and Labor Scholarship in China

This introductory essay highlights the changing foci of labor scholarship during five distinct periods in the evolution of Chinese industrial relations. In so doing, the author argues that labor scholarship has oscillated between pessimistic and optimistic views regarding whether a labor movement is forming in China. The three articles brought together in this special section focus on the key themes of labor activism, collective bargaining, and the role of labor NGOs during a single period, 2006 to 2015. Together, the articles evidence optimism about the future of labor voice in China. This essay, however, suggests that the post-2015 period has been marked by changes in state policy that are having a chilling effect on labor voice and labor scholarship.

Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence: What Do Abuse Survivors Think and What Variables Influence Those Opinions?

For decades, states have passed legislation to mandate reporting of criminal conduct and the abuse of vulnerable persons. Four types of mandatory reporting laws have been enacted, including laws that require reports of injuries associated with crime or due to use of certain weapons, abuse of children, abuse of vulnerable adults, and reporting of domestic violence. While studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mandatory reporting laws in domestic violence cases, methodological weaknesses in this body of literature make it difficult to make broad statements about whether mandatory reporting laws advance women's protection or actually place them at additional risk. This study's sample is based on 388 surveys administered in-person to women who had sought services from one of Kentucky's 15 regional domestic violence shelters. In addition to querying women regarding their own experience with mandatory reporting laws, the survey explored the factors that influenced women's views. The study advances research into women's decisions to access shelters, medical, or mental health services and how they are influenced by advance knowledge that their case would be reported if they disclosed abuse. A new and troubling finding was that almost two in five women reported they would have been less likely to contact a domestic violence shelter if they knew in advance that a mandatory report would be made. Future research on mandatory reporting is needed with an eye toward changing state policies and laws to ensure that women feel free to seek the type of assistance they need for themselves and their children.

Irlandzcy Trawelerzy i status mniejszości etnicznej

The Irish Travellers, a native, traditionally migratory group, were recently accorded formal recognition in the Republic of Ireland, ending more than three decades of political negation of Traveller ethnicity by the Irish authorities. Awarding the Travellers the status of ethnic minority should lead to changes in state policy, which previously perceived the Travellers and their way of life in terms of a social problem; above all, there should now be hope for a new, more equal social position for the Travellers in today’s increasingly diverse Ireland. The author discusses the mobilization of the Irish Travellers and the circumstances of their being awarded ethnic minority status. She also considers the Travellers’ attitudes to the question, on the basis of her own field work conducted among the Traveller community in Galway in western Ireland.

Conditional admission, religious exemption type, and nonmedical vaccine exemptions in California before and after a state policy change

Recent measles and pertussis outbreaks in the US have focused national attention on state laws governing exemptions from mandatory vaccines for school entry. After several years of increases in nonmedical exemptions in California, the state assembly passed Assembly Bill 2109 in 2012, making nonmedical exemptions more difficult to obtain by requiring parents to obtain a signature from a health care provider. We used data from the California Department of Public Health to describe changes in the overall prevalence of personal belief exemptions and compositional changes in immunization status for the school years 2012–2013 through 2015–2016. Following the implementation of Assembly Bill 2109, the statewide exemption rate declined from 3.1% in 2013 to 2.5% in 2014 and then to 2.3% in 2015, representing a 25% reduction from the 2013 peak. Continued surveillance of exemption rates and vaccine refusal are needed to monitor and protect herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Big money and its influence on K-12 education: An interview with Sarah Reckhow

Kappan’s editor talks with Michigan State University’s Sarah Reckhow about her research into the ways wealthy private philanthropies have influenced K-12 education in recent years. As Reckhow explains, not only have Gates, Broad, Walton, and other big foundations spent unprecedented amounts of money to support their favored reform strategies — such as expanding the charter school sector, raising academic standards, and evaluating teachers’ effectiveness — but they’ve maximized their influence by coordinating their messages, funneling their money to specific states and districts, pushing for changes in state and federal policy, and (most recently) contributing to local school board candidates.

Advancing Public Health Policy in Louisiana Through Evidence-Based Strategies: Successes and Opportunities.

In 2013, a team of public health professionals at Tulane University launched a project to explore strategies for shaping a healthier Louisiana. The team investigated methods for improving diet and physical activity behaviors in early childhood, school, and community settings that could be translated into specific policies. Through key informant interviews and scans of academic journals and reports issued by public health agencies, the team generated a set of actionable steps that could increase healthful behaviors. Previous efforts to address similar topics in Louisiana and other states, and their reception from policy makers, were also considered during analysis. Subsequently, a state legislator used the team's work to introduce public health legislation in 2014. The legislation led to a number of incremental changes in state policy and resolutions for additional policy-relevant studies. This case study summarizes the promising physical activity and nutrition strategies that were considered by the Tulane team, how the team's work product was integrated into state legislation, the outcomes of the legislation, and a set of recommendations for how Louisiana can expand on this work. This article demonstrates how the work of public health professionals can have a positive influence on the policy-making process through research and education.

Expanding Pollinator Habitats Through a Statewide Initiative

Due to changing federal and state policy as well as increased community concerns about pollinators, assisting clients interested in pollinator health is taking more Extension agent time and resources. In addition, many gardeners tend to be beginners in need of support to recognize best management practices related to pollinating and beneficial insects. In Georgia, the Pollinator Spaces Project provides tools gardeners can use to create pollinator habitats, learn about pollinating and beneficial insects, and be recognized for their efforts. As a low-cost, agent-friendly program, it is a model that can be easily replicated in other states

Public Health Investment in Team Care: Increasing Access to Clinical Preventive Services in Los Angeles County

As part of federal and local efforts to increase access to high quality, clinical preventive services (CPS) in underserved populations, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) partnered with six local health system and community organization partners to promote the use of team care for CPS delivery. Although these partners were at different stages of organizational capacity, post-program review suggests that each organization advanced team care in their clinical or community environments, potentially affecting >250,000 client visits per year. Despite existing infrastructure and DPH’s funding support of CPS integration, partner efforts faced several challenges. They included lack of sustainable funding for prevention services; limited access to community resources that support disease prevention; and difficulties in changing health-care provider behavior. Although team care can serve as a catalyst or vehicle for delivering CPS, downstream sustainability of this model of practice requires further state and national policy changes that prioritize prevention. Public health is well positioned to facilitate these policy discussions and to assist health system and community organizations in strengthening CPS integration.

Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Education Assessments: Creating a grassroots accountability system to leverage state policy change

Standardized testing remains the predominant proficiency measure for students and schools, placing teacher and student focus on test-prep and lower order skills while maintaining achievement gaps that penalize underserved students. The Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Assessment seeks to close this gap and change assessment measures on a state level by training teachers to become leaders in implementing student-centered performance assessments and encouraging state legislators to consider alternative, forward-thinking accountability systems.

ДЕФІНІЦІЇ КАТЕГОРІЙ МЕТА ТА ЗАВДАННЯ КРИМІНАЛЬНОГО ПРОВАДЖЕННЯ В СУЧАСНОМУ КРИМІНАЛЬНОМУ ПРОЦЕСІ

"Definitions of categories, the goal and objectives of criminal proceedings in modern criminal proceedings" analysed the legal norms and provisions of doctrinal concepts to determine the goals and objectives of criminal proceedings. The author formulated conclusions and generalizations that since criminal proceedings are a sphere of state activity, it depends on the direction of the political course of the state, changes in state policy, which always leads to a change in the ideology of the criminal process as a whole, including the transformation of goals and objectives criminal proceedings. The purpose and objectives of criminal proceedings depend on the historical form of the criminal process, a common feature of which is the ratio of freedom (interests) of the individual and the state, expressed in the procedural position of the main participants in the process. Criminal procedure legislation and doctrine define the resolution of a dispute (conflict) between the state and the accused arising as a result of the commission of a crime as the goal of the criminal process in most countries in which the adversarial nature of criminal proceedings prevails. As the goal of criminal proceedings in the modern theory of criminal procedure, it is proposed to consider the protection of the individual, society and the state from criminal offences in the settlement of criminal-legal conflicts arising as a result of these offences. The goal in the criminal process determines the setting of tasks and represents the ultimate conclusion from the sum of all the tasks being implemented. The task of criminal proceedings should be determined taking into account the functional purpose of the subjects of criminal proceedings, and therefore the task is the fulfilment of his duty by a participant in criminal proceedings, which is determined by his functional purpose, based on the principle of competition of the parties.