September 2003 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.
If you would like to receive this monthly update by email, please contact Carrie Levy at clevy@pacificresearch.org or 415/955-6136.
Business and Economic Studies
Key Issue California’s recall election
Policy Briefing
One of the more popular but, to some degree, overused arguments against the recall election is that the recall effort is not a grassroots movement. Gray Davis supporters, in particular, are claiming that instead it’s a coup attempt led by right-wing ideologues and inspired by Darrell Issa. They contend that 1.3 million conspirators – more than 110 percent of the required signatures – signed petitions to qualify the recall election, and have cleverly orchestrated this power grab with little popular support.
PRI Perspective
“Nonsense,” says Lawrence J. McQuillan, PRI’s director of Business and Economic Studies. “It is bad public policies, a slumping economy, and distrust in Gray Davis’s ability to lead, to make tough choices that will hurt his political cronies, and to be honest with the public that led to the recall movement.” This is clearly evident if one looks at the facts surrounding the successful recall of North Dakota Governor Lynn Frazier in 1921, the only governor to be recalled from office. Frazier’s downfall, like Davis’s, resulted from the confluence of several factors into a “perfect storm”: substantial economic crisis, distrust among the public of a once-trusted and once-popular governor, and pursuit of radical tax-spending-regulation schemes without a mandate from the people because they are too divided to issue one.
PRI Impact
• Lawrence details the similarities between the Frazier and Davis sagas and the lessons to be learned in “Gray Davis Is Governor . . . of North Dakota, c. 1921” (National Review Online, September 26).
• Lawrence spoke on television after the September 3 recall debate with Diane Dwyer of NBC11 News. Public-policy fellow Andrew M. Gloger spoke with KFWB AM 980 News Radio in Los Angeles after the September 24 recall debate.
Technology: Key Issue Wireless regulation in California
Policy Briefing
More than 130 million Americans use wireless technology. This sector is the most competitive of the communications industry, and it continues to experience rapid and profound growth. Although this is the case, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is considering utility-style regulations for the wireless industry.
PRI Perspective
More than 2,000 wireless companies are located in California and nearly 60,000 Californians are employed by the industry. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), more than 94 percent of Americans can choose from three or more carriers and 76 percent can choose from among five or more. And consumers are happy with the current market. A recent Yankee Group survey reveals that 82 percent are satisfied with their wireless service and 78 percent say they get “good” or “excellent” value for their money. Competition has driven down prices and led to a substantial increase in wireless subscribers. New utility-style regulations would slow down innovation and harm consumers while adding unnecessary red tape.
PRI Impact
• Sept 10, Sonia quoted in the San Jose Mercury News on wireless issues.
• Sept 10, Sonia quoted in Wired News on wireless issues.
• Sept 12-18, Sonia’s article “Let's Hang Up On Telecom Proposal,” was published in the Silicon Valley Biz Ink.
• Sept 12-14, Sonia was the emcee for the first annual Accelerating Change conference at Stanford.
• Sept 22, Sonia’s wireless op-ed ran in the Orange County Register.
• September 30, Sonia’s article “Is Arnold Good for Silicon Valley” ran on Tech Central Station.
Education Studies: Key Issue Teacher Quality
Policy Briefing
Under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law, states must take steps to improve teacher quality. The question is whether attempts made by states to raise the quality of their teachers are genuine good-faith efforts based on empirical research or are simply ploys designed to give the impression of change while leaving the status quo untouched.
PRI Perspective
The key to improving teacher quality is to focus on what works empirically. PRI has issued several reports that identify what is effective in raising teacher quality, and what is not. Teachers who have a deep understanding of their subject field, who use instructional methods that are teacher centered and directed, and who implement tough academic standards in the classroom are likely to be effective in raising student achievement, which is the true measurement of teacher quality.
PRI’s director of education studies Lance Izumi has been chosen by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige to be a member of the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Assistance Corps. The Corps is a small group of national education experts who will travel to all 50 states, analyze state teacher quality programs in the context of NCLB, and report back to the Department. Like PRI, Secretary Paige and the Department are focusing on the use of scientifically proven methods of improving teacher quality.
PRI Impact
• On September 5, Lance traveled to Tennessee with the Teacher Assistance Corps and USDOE officials to discuss and analyze Tennessee’s teacher quality and improvement programs. Lance subsequently filed a follow-up report/analysis with the USDOE.
• On September 3, National Review Online published Lance’s op-ed “It’s Fair: The Moral Case for School Choice.”
• The September issue of School Reform News quoted from Lance’s August op-ed in the Orange County Register on Senator Dianne Feinstein and school choice.
• On September 8, Lance was the luncheon speaker at the monthly meeting of the Napa Valley Federation of Republican Women. Lance discussed the findings of PRI’s California Education Report Card.
• On September 9, Lance was interviewed by the American Spectator on increasing taxes for pre-school and child care.
• On September 10, Lance was quoted on per-pupil spending in Larry Elder’s Townhall.com column “California Recall Election – Are Voters Truly Tax-Weary?”
• On September 15, the San Francisco Chronicle published policy fellow Matt Cox’s op-ed “Without Exit Exam, Diplomas Mean Nothing.”
• On September 15, the San Jose Mercury News quoted Matt in its article “SJSU Grad Says Racial Data Helped Her.”
• On September 16, Lance was interviewed by Education Week on persistently dangerous schools and NCLB.
• On September 17, National Review Online published Matt Cox’s op-ed “Children vs. Unions,” which focused on union obstacles to charter schools.
• On September 19, Lance and Sally Pipes met with Los Angeles Times editorial page editor Nic Goldberg to discuss various education issues including the findings of the California Education Report Card.
• On September 19, Lance and Sally met with the editorial board of Investors’ Business Daily to discuss various education issues including the findings of the California Education Report Card.
Other Recent Coverage
Health Care
• September 21, the Washington Post published Sally Pipes’s op-ed “Cheaper Doesn't Mean Better: Ask a Canadian.”
• September 3, radio station WDAY (Fargo, ND) interviewed Sally on drug importation and price controls.
• Subsequent radio interviews on this topic included:
o September 23, KARN (Little Rock, AK)
o September 24, WAIC (Springfield, MA)
o September 25, WWJC (Duluth, MN)
o September 29, WTIC (Hartford, CT)
o September 30, “News Beat with Blanquita Cullum,” Radio America (nationally syndicated)
• September 25, Sally spoke at a Capitol Hill Briefing organized by the Galen Institute. The hearing was videotaped and is posted on www.galen.org and linked on www.pacificresearch.org.
Environment
• September 7, Steven Hayward was quoted in the Los Angeles Times on California’s environmental policy.
• September 7, Steve was quoted in the Detroit News on Bush’s clean air standards and the continuing trend of decreasing air pollution.
