Topic 3

One way for citizens to interact with my CP, the State Senator Jerry Hill Internship, is through attending events. An event that just passed was Java with Jerry held on Saturday January 9th from 9:00 am- 10:00 am. Not only was the event held on a day that most likely worked for many, it was also meant to be a casual and comfortable event for citizens to bring "ideas, questions and concerns about legislative issues affecting the community" (California State Senator Jerry Hill website). Citizen participation at this event, for example, can very much affect a community. An individual who raises a concern can really deliver insight and possibly help the senator realize that a certain decision or situation may be very unhealthy for a certain community. The relationship between citizens and my CP could be range from good to ok to bad. In other words, not everyone will agree with the decisions Jerry Hill makes because they can affect families and communities in different ways. However, his decisions could very much benefit some. Although some may be unhappy with the results produced by their state senator, it is important to note that the senator cannot always please every individual but he is doing his best. If the citizens are unhappy, there are influential ways that they can make a statement. One very influential way that the community can be involved with my particular CP is through popular referendums. Popular referendums allow citizens to petition to vote on actions taken by legislative bodies. This can provide a mean by which the public can overturn a legislative enactment. If they are really unhappy, citizens can also recall which is a procedure that allows citizens to vote elected officials out of office before their term has expired.

Blog Post 2

Local governments may wish to meet their community's needs but "it is up to the state to determine the amount and type of authority a local government may possess" (p 234), so local governments may sometimes be frustrated with the state because they have limited authority. Some local governments, however, abide by the home rule that gives the legal ability of a local government to run its own affairs, subject to state oversight. The benefit of the home rule is that local officials can taylor their policy to better fit their community. However, most local governments are not run this way. Most of the conflict between state and local governments arise from unfunded mandates. A mandate is a requirement or order set by a state, such as solid waste management. When these mandate are not funded by the state, it makes it harder for local governments to meet this mandate. States believe mandates are necessary in order to ensure that activities are performed and goals are achieved. They also promote uniformity among jurisdictions. Thankfully, local governments have mandate reimbursement requirements making mandates easier to carry out. Not only is funding a problem for local governments to cope with but time and specific rules to these mandates pose a challenge to local governments. Local governments believe that more leeway in implementation would also take a big weight off of their shoulders. Having to deal with rising expenditure demands from residents while their authority to raise money is highly circumscribed by state law is an added weight. While localities want more money, they also want more control over how it is spent and to raise additional revenues themselves. This tension is healthy for our political system because state level advisory commissions on intergovernmental relations (ACIRs) are established. ACIRs are intended to offer a neutral forum for discussion of long-range state- local issues. Another benefit from tensions is the establishment of specialized administrative agencies such as the department of community affairs (DCAs). Established in all 50 states, DCAs are meant to offer a range of programs and services to local governments. DCAs are meant to act more like service deliverers rather than policy initiators.

Blog Topic 1

The opportunity to assist State Senator Jerry Hill was my first opportunity. Because he works for the 13th district and I have lived in the 13th district my whole life I thought it would be necessary to do what I can to help my home. I believe this CP is definitely affect by federal policies. The need for a state senator was recognized by the framers of the constitution. As stated in the Constitution, having a state senator is not only necessary but it helps better assist the people in a certain region. As do the more local governments. This opportunity will help me assist a larger community. On a smaller scale, my second CP choice is to assist Meda Okelo in the publishing of the El Ravenswood magazine. I believe this new magazine definitely arose from a local need. Meda most likely saw that the EPA community was in need of a free news subscription that was unique and catered to its community. The articles written are honest and informative. I believe local governments did not fill this need adequately because their responsibility to government in some cases overrides what the public really needs. A magazine is a great way to help the community feel like they are not alone if they do not like something the government is or is not doing, for example. Articles are meant to be the voice of the people. Many times governmental officials will look to these published articles as a gateway to access the opinions of the community. Further, these published works can also help the community better understand certain issues within the community and how to fix them. It may even help readers better understand and see the affects of certain policies made.

First post

Done. Yay!