This packet for vocational educators contains information and materials on writing a letter to a state legislator. A step-by-step procedure is outlined and informative materials that expand upon the various steps are then provided. These materials include a sample Mailgram, a flowchart on how an idea becomes a state law, common sense rules for…

This guide helps people understand where and how decisions on nuclear warfare are made in the United States government. The guide is organized into five main sections. "The Nature of the American Political System" covers the development of a republican form of democracy governed by checks and balances and designed so that power is shared…

Results of a two-year research project (1982-84) on Legislative and Representative Ethics are presented in this report, which analyzes the basic principles of legislative ethics, discusses the special dilemmas and obligations of legislators, and offers conclusions about future steps that could be taken to enhance public discussion and to reinforce…

Decentralized control of New York City elementary and junior high schools was instituted in 1969. Subsequent financial crises in the city transferred governance functions from school officials to the Emergency Financial Control Board. A comparison of school board members in poor city districts, middle-class city districts, and suburban districts…

California state officials vary in their perceptions of the functions and uses of state Department of Education evaluations, according to state legislators, legislative staff members, department administrators, and outside evaluators whose opinions were gathered through interviews and at a 1981 symposium. Highlighted here are the legislators'…

Perspectives on the legislative process in Virginia and the relationship between the higher education community and the legislature are presented by a state senator. Virginia's legislature operates on a 60-day calendar basis, has an executive budget, and the governor has item veto power. The budget process requires that constituencies needing…

A case study illustrating the political influences on higher education in a hypothetical state is presented. Higher education became a target for reform by the state's governor, who expressed interest in the sharing of resources between institutions in close geographic proximity; supported the more extensive use of management tools as a means of…

The Arizona state legislature met from November 1979 to April 1980 for the sole purpose of restructuring and codifying rules that define school financial policy and reforming tax structures that support educational institutions. This case study investigated the role of special interest groups in shaping state educational policy at that session.…

A study of the different perceptual frameworks of the major parties involved in strategic nuclear policy was conducted by examining the interaction between the Executive Branch, Congress, and the informed public. Public political communication data were gathered from public documents generated by Congress and the Executive branch, and by examining…

This paper discusses pregnancy disability compensation policies. On December 7, 1976, the Supreme Court held in "General Electric v. Gilbert" that exclusion of pregnancy and pregnancy related disabilities from coverage under an otherwise comprehensive temporary disabilities plan was not a violation of Title VII's prohibition of…

The problems, issues, concerns, and preferred solutions concerning occupational licensing are discussed in this guide designed for state policymakers confronting decisions regarding the credentialing of various occupations and professions. Chapter 1 focuses on the guidelines for occupational regulation. Three issues are discussed: deciding whether…

The materials listed were selected to provide insights into the role of information systems and technology in present day American society. Emphasized throughout the bibliography are the issues of right to privacy, research and development reporting, information access and policy, and legislator reliance on information services. Citations are…

As a means of exploring public attitudes toward political institutions, the research analyzes theories explaining public trust and confidence in the president and the congress. Hypotheses examined include that there exists a connection between discontent with authorities and institutions, that certain groups in society (the young and…

Compiled to increase communication and interaction among the Spanish surnamed people of the United States, this directory lists 1,887 officials who held a publicly elected position at the Federal, State, or local level during 1973. Names and addresses of officials are listed alphabetically by State, county, and city. Political affiliation and year…

This publication provides members of the House of Representatives information about the range of on-line computer services and data bases available for their use. Section 1 is an introduction. Section 2 describes the nature and general functions of time-sharing services, information systems, and data bases discussed in the document. Section 3…