A new Washington Times commentary critiquing government contracting programs for minority- and women-owned firms references testimony by UMBC professor George La Noue on why federal contacting preferences should be reexamined. La Noue is an expert on education policy, constitutional law and policy, and public procurement policy, and is a frequent witness in Congressional testimony.
Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon will kick off the Associated Black Charities’ speaker series next month, sparking speculation of a possible return to politics. “This is the year I’m going to decide,” Dixon told the Baltimore Sun, of her desire to run for office again after having completed probation following her 2009 embezzlement conviction. “I’m not going to hide the fact that I enjoyed what I was doing during my 27 years in public office.” Donald F. Norris, professor and chair of public policy at UMBC, told the Sun that the substance of Dixon’s talk might signal, more definitively, her… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
A new Governing magazine article examines a recent study by UMBC professors T.H. Gindling (economics) and Marvin Mandell (public policy) on the economic impact of Maryland’s Dream Act, which extended in-county/in-state tuition at local community colleges and public universities to undocumented immigrants who graduate from Maryland high schools and meet other requirements. The article notes that 13 states have similar “tuition equity” laws in place and more than a dozen additional states are considering proposals for them. “As state lawmakers think about offering in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants,” suggests J.B. Wogan, “the UMBC study could offer a model for weighing… Continue Reading T.H. Gindling, Economics, and Marvin Mandell, Public Policy, in Governing Magazine
“Martin O’Malley is on the short list of Democratic presidential contenders. Can he win?” So reads a headline in this month’s Baltimore Magazine, which delves into O’Malley’s political background and aspirations, personality and reputation. Donald Norris, professor and chair of public policy at UMBC, comments in the article on O’Malley’s experience. “He has a lot going for him as a potential candidate,” says Norris. “He’s run a city government, a state government, and managed to balance the budget every year. He came into office [as governor] at the start of the recession, balanced the budget, and at the same time,… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in Baltimore Magazine
Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Dept. of Public Policy, has been named an inaugural honoree of the new Urban Affairs Association (UAA) Service Honor Roll. This award recognizes Norris’s contributions to both the association and the field of urban studies. The UAA credits honorees with contributing to the current breadth and richness of the discipline. Norris will be reorganized at an award luncheon for Honor Roll inductees on April 5 at the UAA conference in San Francisco.
In the current legislative session, Maryland Republicans plan to focus on transportation funding, school safety and the budget, writes reporter Daniel Leaderman in the Gazette. Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, doesn’t think they’ll have much success in their efforts. Norris anticipates, for example, that even with some conservative Democrats joining Republicans in opposition to bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazine clips, those proposals are still likely to pass. In Maryland, Norris says, Republican legislators “have virtually no influence” — a position he describes as “not enviable.” Read the full article online.
This week the University of Maryland law school journal Race, Religion, Gender and Class will publish George La Noue’s new article, “Defining Social and Economic Disadvantage: Are Government Preferential Business Certification Programs Narrowly Tailored?” (see abstract). La Noue is a professor of political science and public policy at UMBC. He is recognized nationally for his scholarship on education policy (K-12 and higher ed) and constitutional law, and he’s been invited to testify before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in early February. La Noue is also highly committed to undergraduate teaching and recently coauthored a paper with undergraduate student Matthew… Continue Reading George La Noue, Political Science and Public Policy, Shares Latest Scholarship
Annual campaign finance reports released this week indicate three fundraising leaders among potential Democratic candidates for Maryland governor: Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (taking in $1.25 million), Attorney General Douglas Gansler ($1.24 million) and Howard County Exec. Ken Ulman ($1.14 million). A fourth potential candidate, Montgomery County Del. Heather Mazeur, collected $248,671 in 2012, leaving her with $380,000 in cash on hand. Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, told the Baltimore Sun that Ulman’s fundraising figures were particularly surprising, saying, “You would think the other candidates would be ahead of him, but he’s been out… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
In the weeks since the shooting in Newtown, Conn., Gov. Martin O’Malley has repeatedly referred to gun violence as a “public health issue.” On Monday he announced a plan that would give Maryland one of the nation’s strictest gun laws, reports the Baltimore Sun. To own a handgun, residents would need to pass a training course and provide fingerprints to a police database, and Maryland would ban the sale of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. How was the proposal received and how might this impact O’Malley’s prospects in a national election? Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Today’s Baltimore Sun suggests the next 90 days will likely be the most important that remain in Martin O’Malley’s tenure as Maryland governor. Reporters Michael Dresser and Erin Cox write, “As the General Assembly opens its 2013 session Wednesday, O’Malley will be looking to cap a record that many people believe he will use as a springboard for a future presidential run.” Key issues to be debated include the death penalty repeal, assault weapons ban and offshore wind power, all of which have national resonance. Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, told reporters, “Objectively,… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun, Gazette and BBJ
In the wake of Maryland’s recent vote to expand gambling locations and allow table games, Capital News Service asked Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, if sports gambling is in the state’s future. “It’s always possible that somebody could pursue it,” Norris said, “I just can’t foresee that happening.” Norris further commented, “I’m willing to guess that the current governor is so fed up with the gambling issue that I’m sure he will not support anything.” To move sports betting forward, he suggests, there would have to be more active support for such legislation… Continue Reading Donald F. Norris, Public Policy, in Capital News Service Article
Canadian newspaper The Windsor Star has featured new research from UMBC’s Eric Zeemering, assistant professor of public policy, on how government and NGOs in Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan form cross-border cooperative relationships to promote economic development and create sustainable communities (see full article in the Journal of Urban Affairs). Zeemering told reporter Dave Hall that although there are great opportunities for collaboration between Windsor and Detroit, the international border often serves to keep the communities apart and “there needs to be a concerted effort to forge those relationships.” Zeemering notes, “The danger in creating cross-border relationships at the political level… Continue Reading Eric Zeemering, Public Policy, in the Windsor Star
