News & Events

School of public policy in the news: 2012

Ventura County Star, May 19, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Political Control Could Shift in Race for Supervisor," wherein he comments about the candidates and major issues in the Ventura County Board of Supervisors race. Read the article.

May 14, 2012, Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, has been appointed to the Advisory Council to the New America Foundation's new Center for Civic Innovation Project (CCIP). CCIP will explore ways technology can facilitate better, more informed relationships between citizens and governing institutions. Visit the CCIP website.

Wisconsin State Journal, May 5, 2012 - Luisa Blanco, assistant professor of economics at the School of Public Policy, authored an op-ed "Most American of Mexican Holidays," wherein she notes that while many Americans will celebrate the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in the country of Mexico, formal celebratory activities are only likely to occur in the town of Puebla, where the battle being commemorated took place. Blanco also discusses the important relationship between the United States and Mexico and how the partnership is crucial to promote further economic development and security in the Western Hemisphere. Read the op-ed.

City Journal, May 4, 2012, - 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 "Immersion Education for Parents," wherein he discusses how a local union is attempting to unionize minimally compensated, hard-working volunteers and classroom adjuncts who are funded by the local community and parents at a language immersion school in Culver City, California. Read the essay.

Malibu Times, May 2, 2012 - James R. Wilburn, dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, was featured in an article "Pepperdine Dedicates Auditorium to Long-Serving Dean," highlighting the April 24 dedication of the new James R. Wilburn Auditorium, the largest meeting space on the Drescher Graduate Campus on the Malibu Campus. Read the article.

May 2, 2012, Students in adjunct professor Elan Melamid's "Children, Families, and Communities" class at the School of Public Policy recently spent weeks planning and executing a project to revamp the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Read the story.

May 2, 2012, James Prieger, associate professor of economics at the School of Public Policy, and Daniel Heil (MPP '09) authored a book chapter "Economic Implications of E-Business for Organizations," that has been accepted for publication in Handbook on E-Business Strategic Management. The chapter reviews the macroeconomic and microeconomic impacts of e-business on organizations.

Forbes, May 1, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, coauthored "The Best Cities for Jobs," with Joel Kotkin. In their annual survey they note the overall decline of government jobs in more than half of the metropolitan cities surveyed, with jobs in energy, technology, and manufacturing showing the most growth. Read the article and view the rankings.

The Wall Street Journal, April 22, 2012 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, coauthored "Rethinking the War on Drugs," with Mark Kleiman and Jonathan Caulkins. They discuss how prohibition and legalization aren't the only choices when it comes to drugs and how proven programs can greatly reduce the harm caused by hard-core drug users and reduce the prison population. Read the essay.

Fox Business News, April 19, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Public Sector Employees: To Cut or Not to Cut?," wherein he comments on how municipal, state and federal governments lost 584,000 jobs since June 2009, while the private sector added 2.8 million jobs. He says that local governments used increasing property tax revenue to expand payrolls and increase salaries for employees and taxpayers are now being held responsible for those actions. Read the article.

U.S. News, April 17, 2012 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in "White House Drug Policy Shifts Strategy," wherein she comments on the White House's new plan that calls for treatment, not incarceration, for non-violent offenders. Hawken was part of President Obama's release of the national drug policy on April 17, 2012. Read the article.

Ventura County Star, April 14, 2012 - Ashley Trim (MPP '09), research coordinator at the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy, authored "Building Community is Everyone's Responsibility," wherein she discusses the citizens' role in creating, maintaining, and governing the places in which they live, work, study, and play and how the struggling economy has offered an opportunity for citizens to do just that. Read the article.

April 16, 2012, The School of Public Policy and The Trinity Forum are cohosting an evening conversation with Ross Douthat on "Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics" at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2012. Following introductory remarks by Pete Peterson (MPP '07), executive director of the Davenport Institute, responses will be provided by from National Public Radio (NPR) religion correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty and columnist Michael Gerson. More about this event and RSVP.

Economic Inquiry, April 2012 - James Prieger, associate professor of economics at the School of Public Policy, published the article "Applications Barrier to Entry and Exclusive Vertical Contracts in Platform Markets," with Wei-Min Hu. The article extends the empirical literature on whether vertical restraints are anticompetitive and focuses on exclusive contracting in platform markets, which feature indirect network effects and thus are susceptible to an applications barrier to entry. Download and read the paper.

The Washington Post, April 11, 2012 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was mentioned in George Will's column in a piece entitled "Should the U.S. Legalize Hard Drugs?," where he refers to Hawken's book Drugs and Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know (coauthored with Mark Kleiman and Jonathan Caulkins). Will discusses various aspects of legalizing illicit drugs and its effect on public health, reducing cartels, and the costs of enforcement. Read the article.

The Christian Science Monitor, April 10, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Jerry Brown's Waterloo Station? California High-Speed Rail Takes Another Hit," wherein he comments on the effects of a possible congressional committee investigation on federal funding for California's embattled high-speed rail project. Read the article.

Fox & Hounds, April 10, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, authored "Prop 13's Impact on Business is About Small Business... Not the Dodgers," wherein he comments on how Proposition 13 is an important part of California's business landscape and also protects hundreds of thousands of small business owners in the state. Read the article.

Mercury News, April 10, 2012 - Luisa Blanco, assistant professor of economics at the School of Public Policy, authored an opinion piece "Fear of Travel in Mexico Because of Drug Wars is Misplaced," wherein she comments on how travelers should not worry about their visits to Mexico despite news of crime related to drug wars, but worry about the drug polices that brought up this situation in the first place. Read the article.

April 9, 2012, Now available on YouTube: "Three Cheers for Milton Friedman: Still Going Strong After All These Years" presented by Gordon Lloyd, professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, on April 4, 2012, in celebration of Milton Friedman's 100th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his book Capitalism and Freedom. Watch the video.

The Sacramento Bee, April 9, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "California State Government Hiring Slowed in 2011," wherein he comments on the fact that the California state government hired 25 percent fewer employees last year, emphasizing the states fiscal distress. Read the article.

The Washington Post, April 4, 2012 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was mentioned in George Will's column in an opinion piece entitled "The Drug Legalization Dilemma," where he refers to Hawken's book Drugs and Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know (coauthored with Mark Kleiman and Jonathan Caulkins). The late James Q. Wilson, the Ronald Reagan Professor of Public Policy at the School of Public Policy, was also mentioned for he remarks on the drug policy. Read the article.

The Seattle Times, March 25, 2012 - Angela Hawken, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Lawmakers Weigh Major Changes to Probation, Parole," wherein she discusses the pilot program in Washington State where parolees are subject to an experimental "swift and certain" system of punishment. Read the article.

The Christian Science Monitor, March 16, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "Tax the Rich ... More? Why Jerry Brown Changed His Plan to Save California," wherein he discusses Governor Brown's change on his ballot initiative to raise taxes in order to get voters to back it. Read the article.

March 15, 2012, The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy presents a conference "Why Place Matters: Moving From Theory to Practice", on March 22, 2012, from 1-5 p.m., with a reception to follow in the Drescher Graduate Campus Auditorium. The follow-up conference will feature academics and practitioners who will address the ideas from the 2011 "Place in the World" conference and discuss the challenges policy makers face in implementing these ideas into a healthy community. Please RSVP. Visist Conference Website for more information.

March 12, 2012, The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy will host Ken Hampian, former city manager for the city of San Luis Obispo, and now the interim city manager for the city of Bell, on March 14, 2012, at noon in SPP Room 175. Hampian will discuss his experiences working to rebuild the city of Bell in the wake of scandal. Hampian is also serving as the Davenport Institute's 2012 City Manager in Residence. Read about the City Manager in Residence Program.

The American, March 7, 2012, - 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 "Creative Californians Redefine Rahm's 'Rule One'," wherein he discusses the improvement in the relationship between the government and citizens throughout the state of California. Read the essay.

March 7, 2012, School of Public Policy student organization Women in Public Policy will host speaker Donzaleigh Abernathy, on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at noon in SPP Rm 175. Abernathy is an author, actress, and the daughter of Juanita and Reverend Doctor Ralph Abernathy, who created with his best friend Martin Luther King, Jr. the Civil Rights Movement. Read More.

March 6, 2012, The Davenport Institute's executive director, Pete Peterson, presented “Teaching Locally: The University Center as Local Government Resource," on March 5, 2012, on a panel at the American Society for Public Administration Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. More on the conference.

March 5, 2012, The latest issue of the School of Public Policy Dean's Report is now available. Issue highlights include Wilburn 40th Anniversary Celebration, Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration, news from the Davenport Institute, and 2011-2012 scholarship recipients. Read the Winter 2012 Dean's Report.

March 2, 2012, The Pepperdine community was saddened to learn that Dr. James Q. Wilson, the Ronald Reagan Professor of Public Policy at the School of Public Policy and recipient of the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, passed away early this morning. He was 80 years-old. Read more.

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 - 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 - 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.

The Sacramento Bee, January 19, 2012 - Michael Shires, associate professor of public policy at the School of Public Policy, was quoted in an article "The State Worker: Will Jerry Brown's Reorg Plan Fix California's Bugs?," wherein he discusses Governor Brown's desire to reorg California government and how the plan must survive the legislative process. Read the article.

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.

City Journal, January 13, 2012 - 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.

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.