Greetings!
Next Friday, the Morrison Institute will be hosting their annual 'State of Our State' conference at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. This year's theme is criminal justice, with a closer look at state spending on corrections, criminal sentencing policy, bipartisan reform strategies, and the role of private prisons.
I couldn't be more excited. The keynote address will be given by the former police chief of Mesa, who is now a district attorney in San Francisco, George Gascon. Other speakers include Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, U.S. Marshal David Gonzales, AZ State Senator John Kavanagh, national representatives from the ACLU and Right on Crime.
This is a half day event, with registration beginning at 7:30, and the actual event from 8 am - 1pm. The goals of the conference are to create solution-oriented dialogue and bring both the left and right together.
Arizona is generally under attack (from other states) when it comes to its sentencing policy, which tends to lean towards the conservative side. This is one of 31 states which continues to uphold capital (death penalty) punishment. I am interested to hear Mr. Gascon's remarks on criminal justice reform, considering the vast majority of those who end up incarcerated tend to represent a certain demographic. This conference will showcase where Arizona is heading with respect to sentencing policies and how funding affects those behind bars.
If you are interested in criminal justice reform, please take a look at the link below:
https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/news/state-our-state-conference-0
Thank you~
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Morrison Institute's connection with Urban Governance
Good Afternoon,
Urban Governance - as employees or students of public service, we are bound to hear this term at least a few times, if not as a recurring theme ...At first, I was eluded (by this question) in terms of how it was relevant to a think tank - particularly the Morrison Institute. Soon I realized, think tanks are vital organizations for incorporating representativeness, participation, citizen duties and rights, fairness, accountability, and legitimacy (http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/governance-define.html).
As a publicly funded policy based think tank, the Morrison Institute seeks to address the most pressing needs of the state. This means citizen representativeness is at the heart what is being advocated. In other words, many of the projects center around citizen engagement, voter participation, i.e. how to get potential voters more involved, and ensuring more fair and representative policies and laws are legislated.
My supervisor is very involved with municipal issues and governance, particularly issues associated with disability, citizens rights and engagement and homelessness. In a previous post which discussed the Citizen's Initiative Review - the Morrison Institute wanted to address how to incorporate more people to participate in everyday society (citizen engagement). Moreover, this particular study, as well as the more recent study which looked at Arizona's Independent Voters examined what propels individuals to vote for particular candidates. Many of the themes centering around urban governance are directly linked with the consumer survey that I have been helping to disseminate. This survey is looking to address whether citizens feel like they are being treated with fairness, if there is accountability within Phoenix City Services and whether service delivery needs to be improved. Hopefully, this survey will lead to improvements within city services (police, fire, mental health agencies) and individuals with mental health issues.
Transparency can often be a problem for governments, at any level. Technically, information and data are within the reach of all citizens, however to obtain this information is not always an easy task. As Erica McFadden mentioned when you are trying to gather information from city officials, whether that be about a particular decision that was cast, or the official # of people killed during a flash flood, it can sometimes take several days. Anyways, local governance is an ever-evolving field and one in which the Morrison Institute has been contributing with various projects and will continue to do so in the future.
Urban Governance - as employees or students of public service, we are bound to hear this term at least a few times, if not as a recurring theme ...At first, I was eluded (by this question) in terms of how it was relevant to a think tank - particularly the Morrison Institute. Soon I realized, think tanks are vital organizations for incorporating representativeness, participation, citizen duties and rights, fairness, accountability, and legitimacy (http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/governance-define.html).
As a publicly funded policy based think tank, the Morrison Institute seeks to address the most pressing needs of the state. This means citizen representativeness is at the heart what is being advocated. In other words, many of the projects center around citizen engagement, voter participation, i.e. how to get potential voters more involved, and ensuring more fair and representative policies and laws are legislated.
My supervisor is very involved with municipal issues and governance, particularly issues associated with disability, citizens rights and engagement and homelessness. In a previous post which discussed the Citizen's Initiative Review - the Morrison Institute wanted to address how to incorporate more people to participate in everyday society (citizen engagement). Moreover, this particular study, as well as the more recent study which looked at Arizona's Independent Voters examined what propels individuals to vote for particular candidates. Many of the themes centering around urban governance are directly linked with the consumer survey that I have been helping to disseminate. This survey is looking to address whether citizens feel like they are being treated with fairness, if there is accountability within Phoenix City Services and whether service delivery needs to be improved. Hopefully, this survey will lead to improvements within city services (police, fire, mental health agencies) and individuals with mental health issues.
Transparency can often be a problem for governments, at any level. Technically, information and data are within the reach of all citizens, however to obtain this information is not always an easy task. As Erica McFadden mentioned when you are trying to gather information from city officials, whether that be about a particular decision that was cast, or the official # of people killed during a flash flood, it can sometimes take several days. Anyways, local governance is an ever-evolving field and one in which the Morrison Institute has been contributing with various projects and will continue to do so in the future.
The Status of Women in Arizona
Hello again!
My duties at the Morrison Institute vary in nature and I try to look for new learning opportunities whenever possible. This past week I was able to tap into in area which I have not visited since high school ...the art of the interview, okay I may be exaggerating a tad however I did interview someone.
The Morrison Institute has a number of policy analysts that work in different fields. Social Justice, particularly issues regarding incarceration and homelessness are part of William Hart's (senior policy analyst) research areas. You may be asking why am I discussing someone other than my supervisor? Well, William is conducting an annual study, 'Status of Women in Arizona' on behalf of the Arizona Foundation for Women. Women across the state, from all walks of life and varied demographics have been invited to take part and provide their insights about the current state of life in Arizona.
My role in all this very small, nevertheless I still wanted to share how I contributed. I think this project is an important indicator of the progress the state has made and can also show where we may be lagging. The woman I interviewed is a regular attendant and volunteer at Lodestar Day Resource Center, and has been in a state of permanent homelessness for several years. The interview was very brief and consisted of 3 questions:
1. Imagine that you have a good friend whose adult daughter is considering moving to AZ, The daughter asks you for a brief account of the pros and cons for women living in our state. What would you tell her?
"In terms of the pros, Arizona has very good schools and is a good place to raise children, however the weather is not always the best. It is very hot."
2. What do you think are the major challenges specifically facing women in AZ today?
"There are no major barriers; it is very open minded society, with a great workforce."
3. What one change or development do you think would benefit AZ women today?
"Women's healthcare. Arizona needs better healthcare, not just for women but across the board."
I was not sure what to expect in terms of responses, however Renda, the woman I interviewed definitely surprised me. I look forward to the report findings and reading where Arizona lies across the nation with respect to women's experiences.
My duties at the Morrison Institute vary in nature and I try to look for new learning opportunities whenever possible. This past week I was able to tap into in area which I have not visited since high school ...the art of the interview, okay I may be exaggerating a tad however I did interview someone.
The Morrison Institute has a number of policy analysts that work in different fields. Social Justice, particularly issues regarding incarceration and homelessness are part of William Hart's (senior policy analyst) research areas. You may be asking why am I discussing someone other than my supervisor? Well, William is conducting an annual study, 'Status of Women in Arizona' on behalf of the Arizona Foundation for Women. Women across the state, from all walks of life and varied demographics have been invited to take part and provide their insights about the current state of life in Arizona.
My role in all this very small, nevertheless I still wanted to share how I contributed. I think this project is an important indicator of the progress the state has made and can also show where we may be lagging. The woman I interviewed is a regular attendant and volunteer at Lodestar Day Resource Center, and has been in a state of permanent homelessness for several years. The interview was very brief and consisted of 3 questions:
1. Imagine that you have a good friend whose adult daughter is considering moving to AZ, The daughter asks you for a brief account of the pros and cons for women living in our state. What would you tell her?
"In terms of the pros, Arizona has very good schools and is a good place to raise children, however the weather is not always the best. It is very hot."
2. What do you think are the major challenges specifically facing women in AZ today?
"There are no major barriers; it is very open minded society, with a great workforce."
3. What one change or development do you think would benefit AZ women today?
"Women's healthcare. Arizona needs better healthcare, not just for women but across the board."
I was not sure what to expect in terms of responses, however Renda, the woman I interviewed definitely surprised me. I look forward to the report findings and reading where Arizona lies across the nation with respect to women's experiences.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Arizona's Independent Voter
Greetings!
Hope everyone was able to partake in some Halloween festivities during the previous weekend. The ingenious creativity behind some of the costumes is always fun to witness. I considered going out, but due to pending assignments missed out. Oh well, next year. As the semester winds to an end, everything seems to be approaching simultaneously. Is this what graduate school entails?
Recently, the Morrison Institute funded a small-scale study examining Arizona's Independent Voters. The study revealed that the majority of Independent voters are white, male (52%), and college-educated (either completing an undergraduate degree or a Master's Degree +). This data represents a small sample size, however it is intended to be representative of the total state population. As of 2014, this voter bloc (independent voters) has surpassed both registered Republicans and Democrats in overall numbers, totaling almost 35% of all voters. Nevertheless, while these individuals make up the largest proportion of voters; they tend to be the least likely to vote in party primaries. As a consequence, their candidate of choice rarely appears on the ballot. This lack of voter turnout has much to do with feelings of discontent and frustration that independent voters undergo when casting a vote. Independent voters rarely fall under one particular political leaning - rather they are all over the map, ultra-conservative to the most liberal.
Each state has their own set of rules and regulations regarding primary elections, i.e. who may cast a vote. In Arizona, independent voters have the option of participating in either Republican or Democratic primaries. The primaries are critical for determining who ends up on the ballot (as previously mentioned), however an 11% voter turnout elucidates the lack of representative candidates to serve these potential voters. One thing to note is while independent voters are better informed than most when it comes to policies and ballot initiatives, many are unaware that they can participate in the primaries.
Independents are the most disenfranchised voters when it comes to the polls, and this holds true for all independents across the nation. When asked what would incentivize people to cast his/her vote, individuals stated having a viable third party choice. The traditional two party system does not favor these voters. When referring to previous elections, 1992 and 2004 kept recurring - due to the additional candidates on the ballot. Ross Perot's 1992 campaign showcased the growth in Independent voters, or rather how unsatisfied 19M + people were.
Interest groups vouching for the needs of Arizona Independents have been repeatedly pressing for a third party option. This would entice more voters to cast their ballot and hopefully act as a voice amongst Independents. The question remains how would the government implement such a change? Looking across the nation, the general trend indicates that growing numbers of individuals (approximately 43% according to a recent US Gallup Poll) are identifying as 'Independent.' Are these numbers an indication that the two party system is no longer appopropriate? I can only speculate, however if a majority of voters are disenfranchised - reforms may be needed.
This upcoming election should provide a deeper examination of how Independents feel with the two party system. Let's wait and see.
Hope everyone was able to partake in some Halloween festivities during the previous weekend. The ingenious creativity behind some of the costumes is always fun to witness. I considered going out, but due to pending assignments missed out. Oh well, next year. As the semester winds to an end, everything seems to be approaching simultaneously. Is this what graduate school entails?
Recently, the Morrison Institute funded a small-scale study examining Arizona's Independent Voters. The study revealed that the majority of Independent voters are white, male (52%), and college-educated (either completing an undergraduate degree or a Master's Degree +). This data represents a small sample size, however it is intended to be representative of the total state population. As of 2014, this voter bloc (independent voters) has surpassed both registered Republicans and Democrats in overall numbers, totaling almost 35% of all voters. Nevertheless, while these individuals make up the largest proportion of voters; they tend to be the least likely to vote in party primaries. As a consequence, their candidate of choice rarely appears on the ballot. This lack of voter turnout has much to do with feelings of discontent and frustration that independent voters undergo when casting a vote. Independent voters rarely fall under one particular political leaning - rather they are all over the map, ultra-conservative to the most liberal.
Each state has their own set of rules and regulations regarding primary elections, i.e. who may cast a vote. In Arizona, independent voters have the option of participating in either Republican or Democratic primaries. The primaries are critical for determining who ends up on the ballot (as previously mentioned), however an 11% voter turnout elucidates the lack of representative candidates to serve these potential voters. One thing to note is while independent voters are better informed than most when it comes to policies and ballot initiatives, many are unaware that they can participate in the primaries.
Independents are the most disenfranchised voters when it comes to the polls, and this holds true for all independents across the nation. When asked what would incentivize people to cast his/her vote, individuals stated having a viable third party choice. The traditional two party system does not favor these voters. When referring to previous elections, 1992 and 2004 kept recurring - due to the additional candidates on the ballot. Ross Perot's 1992 campaign showcased the growth in Independent voters, or rather how unsatisfied 19M + people were.
Interest groups vouching for the needs of Arizona Independents have been repeatedly pressing for a third party option. This would entice more voters to cast their ballot and hopefully act as a voice amongst Independents. The question remains how would the government implement such a change? Looking across the nation, the general trend indicates that growing numbers of individuals (approximately 43% according to a recent US Gallup Poll) are identifying as 'Independent.' Are these numbers an indication that the two party system is no longer appopropriate? I can only speculate, however if a majority of voters are disenfranchised - reforms may be needed.
This upcoming election should provide a deeper examination of how Independents feel with the two party system. Let's wait and see.
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