Assumethat you are a policy advisor for a specific governor in the UnitedStates (you get to choose)(I chose Kathy Hochul-NY). The governor has asked you to prepare aproposal to address a 5% state budget surplus thanks for left overfederal funds from Covid-19 bailout packages. If the dollars are notused by the end of 2022, they must be returned to the federalgovernment.
Medicaidand education typically account for the majority of budgets and bothhave been strained from Covid-19. The governor, however, also hasspecific issue he/she campaigned on. Where would the extra funds bemost effectively used? Is Covid-19 still a problem in the state? Arethere other more pressing issues?
-Consider how the funding will be spent and quickly as itexpires at the end of the year
-Consider the political implications of the program
-Consider Covid-19 cases loads and hospital capacity
-Consider the state of education in the state
Directions:The memorandum must be written to the current governor of the stateyou have chosen. You must propose one, specific proposal to use the5% surplus. You must be specific, and the proposal must be one thatwould work in the state you have chosen. The budget numbers do nothave to be exact, however.
YouCANNOT propose a creating a commission to study the issue. You musthave a specific and real proposal that can be analyzed.
Makesure you put your name at the top of the memo and to whom you arewriting. Also include the date and subject. You must follow theformat below with the headers:
1.Action Forcing Event
2.Statement of the Problem
3.Background/History
4.Proposal
5.Policy Analysis
6.Political Analysis
7.Recommendation
Allyour arguments should be supported by cited facts, data, etc. Whencreating your decision memorandum, include your name and the name ofthe assignment in the file title. The decision memo is to be nolonger than 5 pages, single spaced. Please follow the Chicago Manualof Style regarding footnotes and grammar.
Papersshould be submitted at the beginning of class on the day in whichthey are due. Please also email me a copy as well. Both decisionmemos are to be no longer than 5 pages, single spaced. Studentsshould use the Calibri font size 11. All papers must includefootnotes, not endnotes. Please follow theChicago Manual style regarding footnotes and grammar. The exam should also be singlespaced.
Yourdecision memo must include a pro and con of the approach yourecommend. Pros and cons should be political, policy, economic (whatimpact on business or individuals for example), capacity (the abilityof government or another entity to meet the goal), national security,and budgetary (if applicable).
Cited sources
TheArt of Policymaking 2ndEdition
GeorgeShambaugh, Georgetown University
PaulWeinstein, Jr., Johns Hopkins
ISBN978-1483385518
AmericanPublic Policy 11thedition
B.Guy Peters
ISBN978-1-5063-9958-4
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