State Governments Research Articles

Public Support for State Challenges to National Laws

State governments are increasingly challenging the national government and pursuing state rules in opposition to national laws. I am interested in whether the public supports this strategy. Do people want state governments to deliver policy outcomes that better fit the interests of state constituents—even if it undercuts the authority of the national government? Or are citizens critical of state actions that challenge national laws? I find that most Americans do not believe that states should be allowed to block the enforcement of federal laws they disagree with. Opposition to state challenges increases with support for the rule of law. Using experiments, I explore whether people are less likely to support policy outcomes when they are described as challenging national provisions. I find limited evidence that people evaluate state policies differently when described as contrary to national laws. People support national supremacy in the abstract and accept state resistance to national mandates in practice.

Assessing social equity of federal disaster aid distribution: A nationwide analysis.

In this study, we conduct the first comprehensive, nationwide assessment of social equity performance of multiple federal post- and pre-disaster assistance programs that differ in targeted recipients, project types, forms of aid, and funding requirements. We draw on the social equity and distributive justice theory to develop and test a set of hypotheses on the influence of program design and specificity on their aid distributional patterns and equity performance. The analysis uses panel data of about 3000 US counties to examine the relationship between a county's receipt of federal assistance and its recent disaster damage, socioeconomic, demographic, political, local government, and geographic characteristics in a two-stage random effects Tobit model. Expectedly, we find that post-disaster grants are largely driven by recent disaster damage, while damage is simultaneously influenced by local socioeconomic conditions. For all disaster programs, disproportionately more federal aid is allocated to populous counties. For programs geared toward state and local governments and targeting community recovery and mitigation, more aid is received by counties with better socioeconomic conditions. Conversely, for programs targeting individual relief and recovery, more aid is given to counties with lower incomes and greater social vulnerability. Results also indicate that counties located in high-risk regions receive greater outlays. These findings shed light on the varying degrees of social equity of federal disaster assistance programs tied to their cost-share requirement, funding caps, and inherent complexity of application procedures.

Communities of practice as an effective ECB approach for nonevaluation specialists: A case study in an Australian state government department

AbstractAmong the various evaluation capacity building strategies, there is an important opportunity to enhance the evidence on the effectiveness of communities of practice (CoPs). We argue that evaluation CoPs have great potential to develop evaluative thinking among nonevaluation specialists and build the foundations of a sustainable organizational evaluation culture. This article presents a case study of an evaluation community of practice in an Australian state government agency, with evidence collected over 4 years against a comprehensive evaluation framework. It outlines in detail an empirically tested evaluation‐CoP good practice from the initial design and logic model to implementation and measurement against individual, group, and organizational outcomes.

Media Coverage of Treasury Single Account Introduced by Abia State Government and Its Effect on Abia State University, Nigeria

This research brief focuses on the analysis of the media coverage of the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the Abia State Government and its impact on the Abia State University in terms of autonomy, salaries, research and academic activities. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has been the subject of intense media scrutiny, with attention focused on its implications for the autonomy of Abia State University. This study examines how the centralization of financial resources through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) framework can affect university decision-making processes, academic freedom and general governance autonomy. In addition, the research examines the effects of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) on the timely payment of salaries to university staff. By analyzing media reports and conducting interviews with stakeholders, the study aims to assess whether the implementation of the TSA has had an impact on the payment of wages, financial stability and employee morale in the university Furthermore, the study explores how the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) has affected research activities in Abia State University. By examining media stories and academic publications, the research seeks to understand whether changes in financial management practices have affected the university's research output, funding opportunities and collaborative initiatives. Finally, the impact of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on academic activities in Abia State University is a major focus of this research. Through content analysis of media coverage and interviews with teachers and students, the study aims to assess whether financial reforms have improved or hindered the quality of teaching, learning experiences and the academic programs in the university. By examining the media coverage of the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) and its effects on autonomy, salaries, research and academic activity in Abia State University, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the implications of financial reforms in higher education institutions and provide policy makers with information. university administrators and stakeholders in the education sector.

Navigating the online food environment: policy pathways for promoting food access, transparency, and healthy food choices online.

The internet is drastically changing how U.S. consumers shop for groceries, order food from restaurants, and interact with food marketing. There is an urgent need for new policies to help ensure that the internet is a force for good when it comes to food access, transparency, and nutrition. This article outlines actions that federal agencies-like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-and state and local governments can take to improve the online food environment. We recommend policies in three settings: online grocery retail, online restaurant ordering, and marketing on social media and other online platforms. For example, USDA could finalize regulations increasing access to online WIC and remove barriers to accessing online SNAP by requiring large retailers to waive online delivery and service fees for SNAP purchases. FDA could improve access to nutrition information by issuing guidance describing what product information should be available at the online point of selection. FTC could give better guidance on appropriate tactics when marketing to children and collect better data on how companies are marketing food to children online. Finally, state governments could pass laws like New York's recently introduced Predatory Marketing Prevention Act to address false and misleading advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at children and other vulnerable groups.

Accountability and Transparency of Village Fund Budget Management

The village is the smallest organization in the state government so that it cannot be separated from the government's attention so that the village is given the authority to manage several matters related to its own regional autonomy such as the management and planning of village funds, but in implementing these two things must be in accordance with the regulations of the Republic of Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to find out how the implementation of accountability and transparency in Batu Makjage village is. The approach used in this study is qualitative research. Data was collected using observation, interviews, and document studies. The types of data used are primary data and secondary data where primary data is obtained through interviews, observations and also documentation studies, namely several people who are considered sufficient as sources of information or data. Secondary data was obtained from several documents in the Batu Makjage village office including the Report Document on the realization of the implementation of the village revenue and expenditure budget for the final semester of the 2023 budget year. The results of the study show that the management of the village fund budget in this village has met the regulations and is in accordance with existing procedures, namely with accountability and transparency which is indicated by community participation and ease of accessing information related to planning and management of village funds.

DECOLONISATION: BALTIC STATES AND AFRICA

The Baltic countries—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—were under the control of the USSR for almost fifty years between 1940 and 1991. This paper aims to compare the problems the Baltic states’ governments faced after regaining their independence in 1991 to the problems faced by the governments of the newly-independent states in Africa after their independence in the 20th century. The paper draws parallels between four types of government policy— economics, foreign affairs, intergovernmental cooperation and settlers’ rights. The paper argues that such similarities provide a basis for referring to the policies of the governments of the Baltic States in the 1990s as post-colonial. While this alone does not imply that the Soviet control of the Baltics was a colonisation process, it sheds light on the impact and perception of Soviet rule by the Baltic states and their citizens.

Современные угрозы и обоснование изменений в регулировании экономической безопасности региона

The article considers the main approaches of the theory of economic security. The concepts of "ensuring economic security", "managing economic security", "regulating the economic security of the region" are studied. The impacts affecting the adaptive readiness of the regional economic security complex, reflected in the concepts of "threat", "risk", "factor", "challenge" are noted. The expediency of a multi-vector approach to the organization of regulatory impacts of state and municipal government bodies aimed at ensuring the economic security of the country's regions in the context of overcoming modern threats is determined. A thesis is formulated about the place of regulation of regional economic security as an integral link between the systemic federal level of national security and heterogeneous regions of the country. Using the example of Perm Krai, the dynamics of the main indicators of regional economic security and their relationship with similar indicators of the Volga Federal District and the Russian Federation are considered, and an assessment of existing trends is carried out. The analysis of the elaboration of regulatory and legal documents of the Perm Territory using the extrapolation method of processing official statistics information has established the insufficiency of the measures taken to improve strategic planning in the region in the context of taking into account changing factors and conditions of the external environment. Significant deviations of the achieved results in ensuring the economic security of the Perm Territory from the forecast values approved by the strategic planning documents have been revealed, in particular in achieving the planned indicators in the areas of industrial and environmental safety of the region. It is proposed to revise the content of regulatory documents with the corresponding budget and resource content for the timely adaptation of the region to modern threats and challenges. It is recommended to pay special attention to such areas of economic security of the Perm Territory as: technological sovereignty, investment security and environmental protection.

Rights-Based Legal Considerations for TB Isolation Practices in Community Settings in the Post-Pandemic Era.

State and local governments are free to enact infectious disease control laws to protect the public health but must conform those laws to right-based limitations imposed by the United States Constitution. TB control laws that empower public health agencies and their representatives to institute restrictions on movement and activities for persons with TB have remained largely unchanged for decades and warrant review to ensure consistency with modern legal principles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was increased attention to the tension between non-pharmaceutical public health interventions (masking, isolation, lock-downs) intended to reduce transmission and improve community health and their potential negative consequences on learning, mental health, individual finances and the economy at large. Increasing evidence suggests that much of TB transmission is likely to have occurred prior to diagnosis and treatment initiation, and there is limited scientific evidence for the efficacy of community-based isolation in reducing TB incidence or TB mortality; by contrast, there is evidence that treatment rapidly reduces infectiousness, and that prolonged isolation may have deleterious health and financial effects for persons with TB. The post-pandemic era presents an opportunity to reassess public health authorities' legal obligations in designing voluntary and involuntary isolation policies for persons with tuberculosis. In so doing, state and local governments can recalibrate the balance between respect for individual constitutional rights and achieving public health TB goals.

Variability Effects of Meteorological Factors on Reported Malaria Cases in Kano and Lagos States of Nigeria

Abstract: Malaria is one of life’s threatening disease that contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. The variability effects of meteorological factors between the Northern and Southern region of Nigeria on malaria transmission remain unclear and not well researched. This research was aimed at comparing the non-linear effects of seasonal, trend and meteorological variables on monthly malaria cases in Kano and Lagos State of Nigeria. The monthly malaria cases for age group above 5-year for Kano and Lagos State were obtained from DHIS for the period of January, 2016 to December, 2022. Also, the predictors/meteorological variables (Rainfall, Relative Humidity, Minimum Temperature and Maximum Temperature) were obtained from Nigeria Meteorological Agent. Generalized Additive Model was fitted using Negative Binomial to apply smooth function to estimate and compare the effects of the selected predictors on the malaria transmission in Kano and Lagos States. Rainfall and Maximum temperature were found not significant in explaining the effect of malaria transmission. Malaria transmission was found to be seasonal and varying in Kano State with highest transmission between September and October while the seasonal effect was reduced to linear in Lagos State. The long term trend had a significant increasing effect on malaria transmission in Kano Sate compared to non-significant effect in Lagos State. The effect of Relative Humidity was reduced to linear and increasing in the both State. Paying attention to the variability in the influence of season, trend and meteorological variables on malaria transmission will enhance respective State Government to develop an early warning and awareness that will help in controlling the malaria outbreak in their State.

The high costs of anticancer therapies in the USA: challenges, opportunities and progress.

The USA spent $99 billion on orally administered and clinician-administered anticancer therapies (excluding supportive care) in 2023 and spending is projected to increase to $180 billion by 2028. This increased spending on anticancer therapies largely reflects the high launch prices of novel therapeutics and increases in the prices of existing products, even in the absence of new evidence of clinical benefit or changes in use. Consequently, high prices have impeded Americans' access to and affordability of necessary anticancer therapies and thus increased their risk of cost-related non-adherence, cancer recurrence and mortality. To address the rising prices and concerns regarding Americans' spending on anticancer therapies, state and federal governments have, over the past decade, enacted legislation that caps out-of-pocket spending, expands subsidies and requires drug price negotiations. In this Perspective, we summarize US policies aimed to lower the costs of anticancer therapies, discuss the implications of such reforms and propose additional solutions needed to reduce costs and increase value.

Contrasting Perceptions, Knowledge, and Actions around Lyme Disease in an Urban Area of Emerging Lyme Disease and an Area of Endemic Lyme Disease in the Northeastern United States.

Lyme disease transmission dynamics in the northeastern United States vary by context. Periurban regions, including Block Island, RI, have experienced decades of endemic transmission. In urban areas, including Staten Island, a borough in New York City, NY, Lyme disease is an emerging issue. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices around Lyme disease evolve as an area progresses from emergent to endemic. We conducted focus group discussions and household surveys within Staten Island, NY and Block Island, RI to compare knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Qualitative data were coded into themes, and survey data were used to provide more general context of the focus group discussions. Using item response theory, we developed an index of knowledge from relevant factors within the household survey. We identified a significant difference in knowledge scores between the two study areas. Additionally, we identified key differences across multiple domains. Participants from Block Island were more likely to report prior tick exposure and Lyme disease in themselves or household members and were more likely to express concerns about the environmental impact of mitigation strategies. Individuals on Staten Island were more likely to assign responsibility of prevention and control to local, state, and federal government than to take personal prevention measures. Prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases must be tailored to the community context and monitored over time as perceptions and priorities may evolve as transmission dynamics transition from emergent to endemic.

Negotiated Federalism: Intergovernmental Relations on the Maritime Frontier, 1789–1815

Abstract: The U.S. Constitution was designed to produce a profound alteration in the structure of the American federal polity by giving the U.S. government the power to raise its own money and enforce its own laws within the states. But when federal officials began to implement the new constitutional order across the union in 1789, they realized that this process required the participation and consent of state governments, whose legislation, investment, and manpower were needed to allow federal laws to take effect. Because of the power that state governments continued to wield, the successful institution of federal authority within the states relied on intergovernmental negotiation. The Atlantic port cities presented a crucial test case for this negotiated federalism, as the federal government sought to exercise power in spaces where state authority was already entrenched. In the course of setting up the customs and lighthouse services, rebuilding coastal fortifications, and enforcing neutrality and embargo regulations, early federal officials encountered the limits of federal power within the states, and developed intergovernmental negotiation strategies that allowed them to execute federal law in the ports. This negotiated federalism would become fundamental to the governance of the American union.

Trends and Patterns of Crime against Scheduled Tribes in States of Northern and Western Regions of India

The paper discussed trends and patterns of crime against scheduled tribes in states of northern and western regions of India. It has found that highest crime against scheduled tribe(s) occurred in Rajasthan followed by Maharashtra and Gujrat. There are no incidences of crime against scheduled tribe(s) in Haryana. Incidences and victims of simple hurt, grievous hurt murder, assault on tribal women and attempt to commit murder are highest in Rajasthan followed by Maharashtra and Gujrat. Incidences and number of victims of sexual harassment is highest in Maharashtra followed by Rajasthan and Gujrat. Rajasthan has the highest incidences and victims of stalking followed by Maharashtra and Gujrat. Incidences of assault of children of scheduled tribes is highest in Maharashtra followed by Rajasthan and Gujrat. There are no incidences of kidnapping for ransom in any states of the regions. Incidences of kidnapping and abduction of women to compel her for marriage is highest in Rajasthan followed by Gujrat and Maharashtra. There are no incidences of procuration of minor girls of scheduled tribes in any state of the regions. Incidences of rape of women is higher in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Rajasthan has the highest incidences of robbery followed by Maharashtra and Gujrat. Therefore, government of the concern states should implement proper policies for minimizing such crimes against scheduled tribes.

An Examination Of Traditional Craft As A Component Of Tsangaya System Of Education In North Central Zone Nigeria

An examination of traditional craft as component of tsangaya system of education in north central zone Nigeria. A survey research approach and a Multi-Stage Cluster Sampling procedure. Data was gathered from 297 respondents drawn from tsangaya schools from 3 selected states in north-central Nigeria, kwara, Nasarawa and Niger State. The collection of data was using a questionnaire that was structured and well-validated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. The outcome revealed the overall mean score of 3.93 for the ten skills needed as agreed by the respondents. The overall mean score of 3.71 of the five attitudinal items as agreed. The overall mean score of 4.05 of the four awareness statements listed as agreed. The cluster mean score of 3.46 shows serious challenges towards Traditional Craft Skills. The findings show that awareness has the highest Beta value (B=0.729, P<0.05). The findings supported the formulated hypothesis, therefore, we reject H0. Followed by attitude with (B=0.400, P<0.05) the findings also supported the hypothesis, therefore, we reject H0. The challenges had the lowest Beta value of (B=0.022, P<0.05) and also have a significant impact on the traditional craft skills. The findings equally supported the formulated hypothesis, therefore, we reject H0. In conclusion, attitude and awareness had a serious impact on entrepreneurship skills acquisition program. Hence, Adj.R2 of 98.6% as shown on Table 5 is an indication of another 1.4% unexplained factors that are not considered in this study. Therefore, its recommended that Governments at all levels (Federal, State and Local governments) should come up with more effective means of supporting the traditional craft in Tsangaya School’s system in north central Nigeria

Responsible Practices for Crowdsourced Transcription and Accessibility for Web‐based Library, Archive, and Museum Content

ABSTRACTHundreds of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAMs) around the world run crowdsourced transcription projects in order to engage users with their collections. Some LAMs explicitly use crowdsourcing projects to make non‐machine‐readable images of documents, such as manuscripts, discoverable to people who are blind or have low vision. We present findings from Crowdsourced Data: Accuracy, Accessibility, Authority (CDAAA), a 3‐year Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant project that investigates whether and how LAMs integrate crowdsourced transcriptions into their discovery systems, and whether these efforts result in accessible web‐content for blind people and those with low vision who use assistive technology to navigate the web. We share research findings as well as practical suggestions for those in charge of crowdsourcing projects, the resulting transcription data, or similar web‐based textual content such as scholarly editions. These research and practice‐oriented findings are relevant to any national or local context where inaccessible images are transcribed, and are especially timely in the US context given recent Federal rule‐making to ensure that all web and app‐based content provided by US State and local governments is accessible, including tools, resources, and content created in‐house, through contracts or by license (2024).

Effect of Rural Banditry on Food Security and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

This research investigates how rural banditry hinders sustainable food security and poverty reductions in Nigeria. The Food and Agricultural Organisation, the International Monetary Fund, the National Bureau of Statistics, the United Nations Development Programme, scholarly journals, and field surveys were the sources from which the data were gathered. Three hundred questionnaires were administered to farmers in six states via Plateau, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Oyo and Niger, in addition to a focused group discussion with selected farmers in each of the study areas. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings show that unemployment, poverty, poor governance, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient security measures and lack of effective institutional coordination, create a network of individuals who support or engage in banditry; farmers experienced disruptions in farming activities, psychological distresses and loss of livestock. Among the socio-economic impacts of banditry include: loss of income and economic opportunities, displacement and migration of the rural population, reduced productivity and infrastructural degradation. These led to food shortages, hikes in food prices, malnutrition and increased poverty level in Nigeria. This study emphasizes the urgent need by the federal and state governments to tackle the problems of unemployment and poverty; develop infrastructure; increase security expenditure; and implement targeted rural development policies. These solutions will curb rural banditry, ensure food security and reduce poverty in Nigeria. Keywords: Rural Banditry, food security, poverty reduction, food production, development policies, farmers.

ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA: THE ROLE OF COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN FEDERAL-STATE COLLABORATION

Sustainable housing development in Malaysia relies on collaborative governance and resource sharing. Several proposed sustainable housing initiatives have involved federal-state tensions. Cooperative federalism can bring together diverse stakeholders to address complicated environmental, social, and economic variables affecting housing construction, according to this study. The authors analyze federal and state laws and policies doctrinally. To assess the efficacy of collaborative governance and resource sharing, government officials, housing experts, policymakers, and community leaders were interviewed. Fictional international case studies inform this study. The authors find 1) federal or state government agencies lack coordination. 2) policy alignment for sustainable housing development and 3) state resource constraints. The findings show how collaborative governance and resource sharing may transform. Participants understand the importance of federal-state housing policies, which streamline sustainable housing development and prevent conflicting laws. Effective intergovernmental connections inform housing policy decisions, meeting local demands. International case studies also provide many suggestions for adapting and innovating in Malaysia. This study proposes resilient, inclusive, and sustainable housing in Malaysia. By adopting collaborative governance, harmonizing policies, pooling resources, fostering intergovernmental partnerships, and learning from global experiences, Malaysia's housing sector may inspire future generations with innovation and sustainability.

The Role Of State Governments In Fiscal Deficit Management In India: Challenges And Opportunities

.

Food is Medicine National Summit: Transforming Health Care

Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions reflect the critical links between food security, nutrition security, health, and health equity, integrated into health care delivery. They comprise programs that provide nutritionally tailored food, free of charge or at a discount, to support disease management, disease prevention, or optimal health, linked to the health care system as part of a patient’s treatment plan. Such programs often prioritize health equity. On 26–27 April, 2023, Tufts University’s Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute held a 2-day National Food is Medicine Summit with leaders, practitioners, and individuals with diverse lived experiences in health care, research, government, advocacy, philanthropy, and the private sector to identify challenges and opportunities to sustainably incorporate FIM services into the health care system and at scale. This report of a meeting describes key themes of the Summit, based on presentations and discussions on momentum around FIM, incorporating FIM in health care, tradeoffs and unintended consequences of various FIM models, scaling of programs, financing and payment mechanisms, educating and engaging the health care workforce, and federal and state government actions and opportunities on FIM. Speakers highlighted examples of recent public and private sector actions on FIM and innovative cross-sector partnerships, including state Medicaid waivers, academic and philanthropic research initiatives, health care system screenings and interventions, and collaborations including community-based organizations and/or entities outside of the food and health care sectors. Challenges and opportunities to broader implementation and scaling of FIM programs identified include incorporating FIM into health care business models, educating the health care workforce, and sustainably scaling FIM programs while leveraging the local connections of community-based organizations. This meeting report highlights recent advances, best practices, challenges, and opportunities discussed at the National Summit to inform future actions on FIM.