PublicPolicy

As many states across the country have dealt with significant snowfall over the last two months, school districts have been forced to shut down for several days. School of Public Policy professor Dave Marcotte has conducted extensive research on the impact of snow days on student learning, and published an article in The Conversation about the work he has done with his colleagues. “Research shows that fewer school days do reduce student performance, especially for the more disadvantaged students. Evidence from previous winters also shows that more days in school do, in fact, improve achievement for American students overall, something that has been… Continue Reading Dave Marcotte, School of Public Policy, in The Conversation

In light of the recent significant snowfall across parts of the Northeast, School of Public Policy professor John Rennie Short wrote an article for The Conversation in which he analyzed the impact of climate change on extreme weather events. In referencing the 60 inches of snow that fell in 30 days on Boston and parts of the wider region, Short wrote: “This is the new normal for weather in the US. Global climate change increases the chances that the once-a-century event is now a once-every-twenty-years occurrence. The country is now experiencing more severe weather events: long droughts in the Southwest, destructive wildfires… Continue Reading John Rennie Short, Public Policy, in The Conversation

In the days surrounding Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s State of the State address, Donald Norris provided analysis on what to expect for the remainder of the legislative session. Norris, professor and director of UMBC’s School of Public Policy, discussed GOP fundraising, the relationship between the governor and legislature, and ongoing discussions over the budget. Norris was interviewed for several articles in the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post. To read complete coverage, click below: A GOP governor means new challenges for longtime Md. Senate President Mike Miller (Washington Post) As budget battle heats up in Annapolis, Democrats rally around school funding (Washington Post)… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post

In the days surrounding Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s inauguration, Donald Norris provided insight and analysis as to how the Maryland legislature may work with the new governor. Norris, professor and director of UMBC’s School of Public Policy, also reflected on outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley’s legacy. In an NBCWashington.com article, Norris analyzed the relationship between Maryland’s new governor and legislature: “So if Hogan chooses to fight with the Democrats, it’s going to be an ugly four years,” Norris said. “He won’t get anything accomplished. If he can find ground for compromise and cooperation, then I think things will work out pretty well for… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, Provides Analysis as Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Takes Office

On December 23, Donald Norris, professor and director of the School of Public Policy, joined WYPR’s Midday with Dan Rodricks for a review of the year’s most significant political stories. Norris, along with Melissa Deckman, chair of the political science department at Washington College, analyzed the results of Maryland’s gubernatorial election, discussed the future of outgoing Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and other significant national political stories heading into the new year. The full segment can be accessed here. On January 7, Norris was quoted in an article published in Bethesda Magazine examining the future of the Purple Line under incoming governor Larry Hogan.… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, on WYPR’s Midday with Dan Rodricks, in Bethesda Magazine

In a recent National Journal article on a potential bid for the White House by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris was interviewed for the story and discussed how O’Malley’s relationship with the Clintons could affect the 2016 campaign. “The Clintons and he are close,” said Norris. “He endorsed her the first time. I don’t know he could run against her without burning a lot of bridges he just doesn’t want to burn.” Norris was also interviewed for a Baltimore Sun article about the future of the Republican Party in Maryland. “They’ve gone through this ‘pull to the right and… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in National Journal and the Baltimore Sun

On December 10, New York Observer published an article on the “Second Gilded Age” in New York City, in which it describes recent increases in spending among the wealthiest New Yorkers. Research by Public Policy Professor John Rennie Short is extensively quoted in the article. The full excerpt is below: “In the collection of essays, Geographies of the Super-Rich, published last year, John Rennie Short, a professor of public policy at the University Maryland Baltimore County, refers to this period as the ‘Second Gilded Age.’ Mr. Short estimates that 103,000 people worldwide have a net worth in excess of $30 million, and… Continue Reading John Rennie Short, Public Policy, in New York Observer

Maryland is in the process of implementing a new all-payer model for hospital payment. Under this system, the federal government permits the statewide Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) to regulate hospital prices. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the all-payer model effective January 1, 2014. On Friday, December 5, the UMBC School of Public Policy hosted a forum at the Columbus Center in downtown Baltimore to examine how hospitals and health care providers are adapting to the new model and its effect the people it serves. Robert Murray, President of Global Health Payment LLC, and Donna Kinzer,… Continue Reading School of Public Policy Hosts Forum on Maryland’s Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC)

In advance of the UMBC public policy program 40th anniversary celebration, Donald Norris, professor and chair of the department, wrote an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun in which he defended the value of studying public policy to meet the growing demand for public servants who can improve government at all levels. In the column, Norris discussed the strength of the UMBC public policy program in educating students to make a strong, local impact after graduation: “Over the past 40 years, the public policy graduate program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has grown from 12 master’s students to 135 doctoral and… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, Writes Baltimore Sun Op-Ed