February 6, 2012, The School of Public Policy hosts James Piereson, president and a trustee of the William E. Simon Foundation and Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute in "America's Fourth Revolution," presented by the Charles and Rosemary Licata Lecture Series on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Please RSVP to Mary Jo Hardman at 310.506.7490. Read more about the lecture and Piereson.

February 6, 2012, The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy hosts William Voegeli, senior editor of the Claremont Review of Books and the author of Never Enough: America's Limitless Welfare State, for a Davenport Discussion entitled "Just Say No: The Case for Anti-tax Absolutism," on February 8, 2012, at noon in SPP 175. Visit the Davenport Institute website.

The Christian Science Monitor, February 2, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Can Facebook IPO Help Solve a State Budget Crisis?," wherein he comments on how the state of California should not depend on the possibility of revenues from Facebook's IPO to close the state's budget gap. Read the article.

The Sacramento Bee, February 2, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "California Government Payroll Grew By $500 Million in 2011 as Furloughs Eased," wherein he comments on how the payroll would have grown faster had job cuts not taken place. Read the article.

The Christian Science Monitor, January 25, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Why Jerry Brown is Standing Firm on Shaky California High-Speed Rail Plan," wherein he discusses that Governor Brown's desire to leave an imprint on the state is a reason why Governor Brown is, despite critical reports, still pressing forward on a high-speed rail plan. Read the article.

Fox & Hounds, January 24, 2012, 2011 - Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, authored an essay "Liberty... Bell?," wherein he discusses his recent experience as a facilitator at the City of Bell's "Goal-Setting Community Forum," a public forum where citizens are encouraged to participate in the city's budget process. The Davenport Institute has been consulting with the city in developing this public budgeting process. Read the essay.

NBC Bay Area Prop Zero Blog, January 22, 2012, 2011 - The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Public Leadership at the School of Public Policy has been working with the City of Bell on their public budgeting process. On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Davenport Institute assisted in leading a public forum to engage citizens in formulating the new city budget. Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute, served as a table facilitator during the session. Read the blog post.

City Journal, January 13, 2012, 2011 - Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, authored an essay "On Further Review...," wherein he discusses how recent studies call into question both California's high-speed rail project and climate change legislation, and how public opinion may be changing on these issues. Read the essay.

The Christian Science Monitor, January 18, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Jerry Brown's Defiant State of the State: California is Still Golden," wherein he comments on how Brown's promises may sound good in his speech, but may not when voters really consider them. Read the article.

January 11, 2012, Pepperdine Policy Review, the student-run academic journal of the School of Public Policy, is now accepting submissions for Volume V. School of Public Policy students and alumni may submit their work online, before January 20th. Visit the Pepperdine Policy Review webpage for more information.

The Seattle Times, December 11, 2011 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was mentioned in an article "Short, Fast Stay in Jail Cuts Crime, Study Finds," where she, along with Mark Kleiman of UCLA, are evaluating Seattle's pilot program that imposes swift, certain punishment which is significantly reducing drug use, incarceration and criminal activity, according to a report done for the city. Read the article.

City Journal California, December 13, 2011 - Ashley Trim (MPP '09), research assistant at the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, authored an article "Civic California," wherein she discusses examples of collaborative service provision in California and the "Golden Governance" report that we released by the Davenport Institute and the National Conference on Citizenship in October. Read the article.

New York Daily News, December 10, 2011 - Robert Kaufman, professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "GOPers Still Pining for Coulda-rans Like Haley Barbour, Chris Christie : Pundits Weigh in on 2012," wherein he comments on the Republican presidential race. Read the article.

December 5, 2011, The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy has launched a new blog, "Golden Governance," which will focus on government and citizen collaboration to provide services in California Communities. Visit the "Golden Governance" blog.

NBC LA, Nonstop News LA, November 16, 2011 - Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, appeared on NBC LA's Nonstop News LA on November 11, 2011, where he joins Robert Kovacik to talk about a new approach to collaborative governing. View the segment.