Noise is an environmental issue uniquely harmful to public welfare but essential to a well-functioning modern economy. Given the prevalence of noise especially in urban soundscapes, noise pollution has been recognized as a negative externality and an environmental stressor and thus has become an issue in public policy. Yet, as...
In 2011 Oregon enacted a public education open enrollment policy that gives students and families the choice of what school to attend, regardless of district lines. Despite the lack of public information, this policy will sunset this school year unless it is further extended during legislative session. This paper attempts...
Geological scientists have predicted an impending massive earthquake is likely to occur on the North Pacific Coast of the US. In response to the warnings of impending disaster, the State of Oregon has implemented several disaster preparedness measures, including the Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Project (SRGP), a grant dispersed to public...
The 2008 financial crisis started a domino effect that crippled much of the United States economy. Most associate this crisis with large scale mortgage failure and an increase in unemployment. These were two of the main causes and effects of the crisis. However, society as a whole was also impacted....
This paper evaluates the previously unknown effect that a Fiscal Stress Label (FSL), a State fiscal intervention program signaling fiscal duress, has on passage rates and voter support for school district tax referenda. Previous research suggests that FSL receipt is associated with increased school district revenue, however the reason why...
The idea for this research projected stemmed from research I conducted during my Economics 439: Public Policy course. This research project examines the idea of Voter Identification Laws and Regulations and their effect on voter turnout and participation in the United States of America. I previously found that economists studied...
There have been years of stalled K-12 school finance reform efforts in Idaho, yet it was unclear what key Idaho education interest groups currently thought about how Idaho funds its public schools. Therefore, this project explored the institutional perspectives and beliefs of K-12 Idaho education stakeholders regarding the Idaho K-12...
Children enter kindergarten on unequal footing. Early childhood experiences shape initial disparities and predict academic achievement and life trajectories. One influence, child care, is not available to all children in Oregon as most counties qualify as child care deserts. This paper analyzes if child care access has an effect on...
Children enter kindergarten on unequal footing. Early childhood experiences shape initial disparities and predict academic achievement and life trajectories. One influence, child care, is not available to all children in Oregon as most counties qualify as child care deserts. This paper analyzes if child care access has an effect on...
Rural communities face acute challenges in providing education. Attachment to place plays a significant role in rural communities but little research exists on how it influences policy. One policy response to financial, physical, and cultural factors in rural Oregon is the four-day school week (FDSW). Through health survey responses of...