University of Southern California

Governance

News

USC Experts Analyze Chances for New Same-Sex Marriage Prop.

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May 27, 2009

The San Diego Union-Tribune quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe and Dan Schnur of the USC College and on whether California gay marriage supporters would prevail if they put a new proposition on the ballot next year. "The age breakdown on the vote suggests that public opinion is trending toward supporters of same-sex marriage. The question is how fast it's trending," Schnur said. Jeffe added: "I don't think it's too soon. It's a year and a half away. ... The more states that get in line behind it, the more credible the argument that everyone ought to be allowed to marry becomes, especially if there's no evidence that the world is going to end."

Jeffe Comments on Recurring Budget Issues in CA

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May 19, 2009

La Opinion quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about California's perennial budget woes. It's become apparent that the state has been ungovernable for a while now, Jeffe said. "When was the last time we had an effective governor?" she asked.

Jeffe Comments on Pelosi, CIA Controversy

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May 18, 2009

Congressional Quarterly quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi facing fire for her handling of the CIA harsh interrogation technique authorizations. Even though, barring any new disclosures, Pelosi is likely to surmount her difficulty, that doesn't mean she has been at her best, Jeffe said. By seeming to change her story and by parsing words, Pelosi hasn't handled the situation well, Jeffe added.

Race Heats Up for San Gabriel Valley Congress Seat

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May 17, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about the close race for the congressional seat in the San Gabriel Valley. "[Gil] Cedillo has got to mobilize his base," Jeffe said. Rival Judy Chu needs to show voters she has support among Latinos, Jeffe added.

Pachon Weighs in on San Gabriel Valley Election

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May 12, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Harry Pachon about the hotly contested congressional election taking place in the San Gabriel Valley. The top candidates are a Latino man and an Asian woman, the story noted. "Ethnicity is a factor," Pachon said. "But it's not the only factor." Pachon is president of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC, the story noted.

Myers Analyzes Surge in Citizenship among Asians, Latinos

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May 11, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Dowell Myers about the increase in California's naturalized Asian and Latino population. The surge in new citizens will accelerate by several years the California electorate's shift from majority-white to nonwhite, Myers said. Although that shift won't be completed until 2026, Latinos, Asians and African Americans are already joining with progressive whites to elect ethnically diverse candidates, he noted.

Myers Discusses Racial Demographics, Politics in CA

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May 11, 2009

The Xinhua News Agency (China) cited Professor Dowell Myers about racial demographics and politics in California. The surge in naturalized citizens will accelerate by several years the California electorate's shift from majority white to nonwhite, Myer said. Although that shift won't be completed until 2026, Latinos, Asians and African Americans are already joining with progressive whites to elect ethnically diverse candidates, Myers and other analysts predict.

Little Advocates National Infrastructure Bond Fund

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May 6, 2009

Reuters noted that SPPD Senior Fellow Richard Little spoke at the Reuters Infrastructure Summit about a possible national infrastructure bond fund. Little's idea for such a fund seemed odd to officials in Washington a year ago, he said. Now they are giving it a second look, in light of the trillions of dollars in infrastructure work the U.S. may require in coming decades, Little added. "Why not create a vehicle where the federal government could issue infrastructure bonds?"

SPPD Student Tapped for White House Internship

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May 4, 2009

Laura Peralta If anyone needs to get in touch with USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development graduate student Laura Peralta this summer, they can reach her at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C. Peralta, who is working toward her master of public administration degree, has earned the prestigious distinction of being one of 100 nationwide students selected to intern in the White House under President Barack Obama.

Big Challenges Await Next CA Governor, Jeffe Says

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April 25, 2009

The National Journal quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about the California gubernatorial race. "Whoever becomes governor [in 2010] is going to be faced with an absolute mess," Jeffe said.

Ahead of the Curve in Addressing Sustainability

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April 23, 2009

Dan Mazmanian More than a decade ago, when sustainability issues were still a specialized curiosity, USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development professor Daniel Mazmanian turned his attention to the emergence of locally-based environmental policies in several communities and regions across the nation.

Jeffe Discusses California Gubernatorial Race

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April 24, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about California's gubernatorial race. "It takes a lot of luck and money and intelligence and timing, and heaven knows what else," Jeffe said.

Jeffe Comments on Judy Chu's Run for Congress

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April 24, 2009

The National Journal quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about Judy Chu's campaign to represent California's 32nd Congressional district. If Chu wins the election, local observers say she will be the first Asian American to represent the Southland in Congress. "It will be a breakthrough for Asians in a district in which they are true minority," Jeffe said.

Low Voter Turnout Expected For Special Election

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April 13, 2009

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about the special election to be held in Los Angeles in May. Voter turnout is expected to be very low, the story noted. "I'm sure there will be some mix up, but not enough to change the election results," Jeffe said.

SPPD to Provide Training to Korean Officials

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April 10, 2009

Carol Rush and Hyung Kook Oh The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean government to provide graduate education and training for selected officials from Korea's Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

Bostic, Garrett Tapped for D.C. Posts

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April 1, 2009

Bostic and Garrett Raphael Bostic, a professor at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, and Elizabeth Garrett, USC's vice president for academic planning and budget and a professor at the USC Gould School of Law, have been asked to join President Obama's administration in Washington, D.C.

SPPD Alumna Solis Confirmed as U.S. Labor Secretary

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Rep. Hilda Solis, MPA '81 February 24, 2009

On Feb. 24, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) was confirmed by the Senate to become Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor for President Obama's administration. Solis graduated from the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development in 1981 with a master of public administration degree.

Jeffe Discusses Impact of State Budget Deal

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Sherry Bebitch Jeffe February 20, 2009

NBC Nightly News interviewed Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, senior fellow at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, about the recent budget deal reached by California lawmakers. The deal involves higher taxes, deep cuts in services and more borrowing, the report noted. "This is what happens when partisans force their elected representatives to pay more attention to ideology than to the needs and the concerns of the general public," Jeffe said. Click here to watch to the full online interview with Sherry Bebitch Jeffe.

Ross Examines Treasury's New Recovery Plan

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February 11, 2009

Builder Magazine quoted SPPD Distinguished Fellow Stan Ross about the U.S. Treasury's recently announced recovery plan. The plan isn't necessarily an improvement over what was already in place, Ross said. The government will eventually end up guaranteeing at least some of the losses incurred by buyers and sellers of banks' toxic assets. However, the new plan has critical components that address bank capitalization and consumer lending. "This frees up capital, the banks will survive, they get new capital, they make loans to companies, and the companies invest in capital improvements," leading to more jobs created, he explained. Ross is chairman of the Board at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.

SPPD Helps City Officials Face Challenges

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February 4, 2009

Faculty and students at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development took part in a leadership training conference to help local government officials find solutions for public problems afflicting cities nationwide.

SPPD Celebrates Its 80th Anniversary

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January 26, 2009

The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development marked its 80th anniversary by hosting a special colloquium Jan. 16 at the Davidson Conference Center. During the conference, Dean Jack H. Knott noted that SPPD remains dedicated to advancing academic theory and making a vital impact in the world.

SPPD Alumna Hilda Solis Tabbed for Labor Secretary

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Rep. Hilda Solis, MPA '81 December 19, 2008

During a Dec. 19 press conference in Chicago, President-elect Barack Obama nominated Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) for Secretary of the U.S. Labor Department. Solis is an alumna of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, graduating with a master of public administration degree in 1981.

Sustainability Class Helps Students to Think, Act "Green"

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December 18, 2008

Taught by Professor Daniel Mazmanian, a new class at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development gave graduate students an introductory overview of key sustainability issues along with the chance to meet with environmental policymakers, chat with "green business" entrepreneurs, and measure their own carbon footprints.

Panel Addresses Downtown's Revitalization

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October 29, 2008

During an Oct. 21 panel hosted by the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said that the goal of downtown's revitalization effort is to restore "the excitement of an earlier time." The changing downtown landscape was the focus of the panel discussion, which took place inside City Hall. The event was part of the SPPD Dean's Speaker Series.

CED Contributes to Green Jobs Growth in Inland Empire

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October 22, 2008

The Press-Enterprise cited a report by the Center for Economic Development at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. The center developed the strategy for the Green Valley Initiative, a private-public group launched in June 2007 to foster the growth of green jobs in the Inland Empire, the story noted. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently approved the plan, which includes 18 programs to make the region a green business hub and combat job loss and low wages.

Panel Charts Financial Market Breakdown

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October 14, 2008

A panel of preeminent financial experts, including USC faculty, weighed in with their insights on how Wall Street plunged into a tailspin -- and also how to remedy the ailing markets. "Multi-party greed" drove the downturn, says Raphael Bostic, professor at the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development.

Jeffe Weighs in on Gay Marriage Amendment

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September 7, 2008

SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe was quoted about California's Proposition 8, which would amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. "Republicans and conservatives tend to support it more," Jeffe said. "Hispanics are a potential group of supporters," she added. "Democrats tend not to. Moderates and liberals tend not to. Independents are more receptive to the idea of single-sex marriage."

Gordon Discusses Cities' Need to Trim Budgets

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August 19, 2008

Professor Peter Gordon was quoted in a Sacramento Bee story about the need for cities to trim their budgets. "I'm not sympathetic," Gordon said. He added that cities often spend money to satisfy interest groups, or simply because it's there. "I think the California story is that governments grow in good times," Gordon said.

Experts: State Must Plan for Demographic Shift

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August 12, 2008

Professor Dowell Myers was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle about California's budget and the state's need to plan for a demographic shift. "The state is trapped in this short-term cycle," Myers said. "If we didn't have term limits maybe we could keep Schwarzenegger around for another four or eight years and we could straighten it out," Myers added. "But we're trapped in a deadly spiral of short-term disaster."

Demographic Changes May Favor Democrats

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August 5, 2008

SPPD Professor Dowell Myers was quoted in a New York Times story about demographic changes that may favor Democrats. A younger, native-born Latino generation that has a tendency to support Democrats is coming of age, Myers said.

Sound and Fury Over Energy, But Few Results

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July 31, 2008

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, senior fellow at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, was quoted in the Congressional Quarterly about congressional efforts to permit offshore oil drilling. Relentless Republican attacks on Democrats regarding the issue have hurt Democrats, who have been slow to counter them, Jeffe said. "It's interesting to me that it's taken so long [for Democrats] to figure out how to come back on this without giving in on offshore drilling," she said.

Newsom Faces Public Backlash

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July 3, 2008

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe was quoted in a Los Angeles Times story about backlash faced by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom over several young illegal immigrant drug dealers who escaped from an unguarded Inland Empire facility, to which they had been escorted by the city. If Newsom won the Democratic nomination for California governor in 2010, Inland California voters would be critical in the general election, said Jeffe, senior fellow at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Jeffe on Jerry Brown's Run for Governor

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May 1, 2008

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of was quoted in the Press Enterprise about Jerry Brown, California's former governor and current attorney general. Brown's possible run for governor in 2010 depends on whether he can crack down on problems at Indian casinos and simultaneously solicit tribes' political support, the story stated. "If questions are raised about the appropriateness of that relationship and they aren't responded to... it's dangerous for the candidate," Jeffe said. "In politics, perception is reality."

Research Centers and Groups

Civic Engagement Initiative

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The Civic Engagement Initiative has developed a network of scholars from SPPD, other USC schools, and major international research universities. The initiative seeks to offer new ways of thinking about participatory democracy and governance, and to partner with civic leaders to create exemplars of how this works in neighborhoods and public institutions.

Founded in Fall 2005, the USC Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public Enterprise is dedicated to understanding and fostering effective democratic governance as an essential component in ensuring the betterment of communities within the United States and around the world. The center focuses on research, policy analysis, and educational activities in three areas: collaborative governance, information technology and democracy.


Research Contracts and Grants

Principal Investigator: Juliet Musso
Sponsor: John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation
Amount Awarded: $172,470.10

Principal Investigators: Terry Cooper and Thomas Bryer
Sponsor: John Ramdolph Haynes Foundation
Amount Awarded: $21,522.00

Legislative Staff Management Institute

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Principal Investigator: Richard Callahan
Sponsor: National Conference of State Legislatures

San Gabriel Valley Council of Government Leadership Program

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Principal Investigator: Richard Callahan
Sponsor: San Gabriel Valley Council of Government