June 1999 PRI Ideas in Action
Policy Update and Monthly Impact Report

PRI continues to impact public policy in California, the nation, and abroad. The following is just a sample of PRI's recent contributions.

PRI in the New York Times

Along with the Washington Post, the New York Times is the nation’s paper of record. PRI adds publications on two key issues to its media influence in 1999.

The New York Times published "The Scourge of New Jobs," by PRI’s Steven Hayward, on June 13. The article discussed urban sprawl and Portland, Oregon’s practice of fining the Intel Corporation for creating too many jobs in that city, well known for its no-growth policies. Steve’s article was republished in Europe in the International Herald Tribune and by American papers including the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Missoulian (Missoula, Montana). On June 25, Steve spoke on "A Social Theory of the Growth Control Movement" at the Western Builders Show, Moscone Center, San Francisco.

On June 15, the New York Times published "Mental Health Missteps" by Mark Schiller, M.D., PRI fellow in medical studies. Mark argued that it would be a mistake for the government to force insurers to cover mental illness at the same level as other medical problems. Mark’s article followed a White House conference on mental illness in which the President and Vice President argued for parity legislation.

Education

"Thank you for your information concerning California’s proposed legislation, AB842," wrote Mark A. DeHaan, Senior Vice President, National Heritage Academies, to PRI President Sally Pipes on June 15. " I found your newsletter contained many key issues centered upon the debate over charter schooling in California. Your mailing of this pertinent information has kept me abreast on the latest developments in California. I thank you for your commitment to educate the nation concerning charter school legislation in California."

"Charter schools must keep their autonomy, freedom to remain effective," by PRI fellow Gwynne Coburn, appeared in the Fresno Bee on June 3. "Education reform threat," by Lloyd Billingsley, appeared in the Daily News on June 14. "Vouchers for public school worth a test run," by Deroy Murdock, mentioned PRI researcher Joanna Elachi in the Windsor Star on May 25 and Orange County Register on June 6.

On June 30, the Orange County Register interviewed Lance Izumi, co-director of PRI’s Center for School Reform, regarding the 1999 statewide STAR test results for grades 2-11. Lance discussed reforms such as Prop. 227, phonics reading instruction, and class-size reduction.

Environment

PRI’s 1999 Index of Leading Environmental Indicators was cited in "The Right Way to Love the Planet," by Mitchell B. Pearlstein in the June Twin Cities Business Monthly; in "Environmental misinformation in America," (Minnesota); by Paige Parham in the June 6 McDuffie Progress (Thomson, GA); and in "Despite Perceptions, Environment is Improving," in the June Water World (Tulsa, OK).

PRI Policy Fellow Liz Fowler’s article, "Relying on the Markets for Water Allocation," was published in the Orange County Register on June 23, and the San Diego Union-Tribune on June 30.

San Francisco Independent Scholars

The San Francisco Independent Scholars, administered by PRI, held their second orientation and awards ceremony on June 11 at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio, with more than 250 parents and students in attendance. Program Director Allison Weeks guided the students through the scholarship process and home schooler Brendan McWalters, 15, thanked SFIS for helping to pay his tuition. Brendan, who also attends the University of San Francisco, commented: "Learning never stops, that’s the mindset."

Civil Rights

On June 29 KQED-FM, the National Public Radio affiliate in San Francisco, broadcast Lance’s commentary on recent court decisions on San Francisco’s race-and-gender preference programs. The July issue of the California Journal carried Lance’s column about a state appellate court decision upholding Prop. 209’s invalidation of race-and-gender preference programs.

Freedom and Technology

"Let profits drive Net privacy," by PRI’s Justin Matlick, appeared in the June 2 Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT) and May 30 Meridian Star (Meridian, MN). Justin’s op-ed "Profit motive promotes Internet privacy" appeared in the June 4 Journal of Commerce. Justin was cited by University of Chicago law professor Jack Goldsmith in "What Internet Gambling Legislation Teaches About Internet Regulation," in the Winter 1999 ABA Journal. The Heartland Institute’s publication, Intellectual Ammunition, will reprint from Justin’s briefing "Online Privacy: Why New Regulations Fail to Protect Children."

Enterprise and Opportunity

On June 2 the Las Vegas Review-Journal published "High taxes the reason both parents must work," by PRI’s Naomi Lopez. The article also ran in the Missoulian, and, on June 3, in the Herald Sun, of Durham, NC. "Real Health-Care Reform," by Naomi Lopez, appeared in the June 3 Investor’s Business Daily. "Naomi Lopez on tax relief for families" ran in the Post-Standard of Syracuse, New York on June 1.

On June 28 Naomi Lopez and Mark Schiller held a policy breakfast in Sacramento attended by legislative staffers. Subjects discussed included Medicare, mental-health parity legislation, and efforts to expand government medical care through policies for seniors and children.

Events

Tim Ferguson of the Los Angeles bureau of Forbes magazine discussed Internet privacy and other issues at PRI in San Francisco on June 2. He told PRI staffers that companies will be very restrictive about data, but that the public still distrusts the government as a source of reliable information on consumer protection.

Notables

"Harassment ruling brings hope, fear," by John Leo, mentions PRI legal studies fellow Eugene Volokh in the Birmingham News, June 2. "Seniors learn lessons for life," by Ann Martinez, quotes Lance Izumi in the San Jose Mercury News, June 13. F. R. Duplantier quotes Steven Hayward in the June 10 Carrollton Gazette-Patriot (Carrollton, IL), June 10. "Consensus Group Issues Health Proposals," by Mary Jane Fisher, mentions the Pacific Research Institute in the June 7 National Underwriter (Hoboken, NJ).

The Pacific Research Institute has become a participating site in CongressVote.com, a nonpartisan forum for people to communicate with their Senators, Representatives, and other concerned citizens on issues coming before Congress. Participants include the Hudson Institute, the Claremont Institute, Foreign Policy In Focus, Reason Online, and Internet News Daily.