State and Local Policy Exam Three Review

Flashcards covering key concepts in environmental policy, criminal justice, education reform, health and welfare, and local government structures based on the lecture notes.

Paris Agreement

An international accord aimed at combating climate change on a global scale; the Trump administration attempted to withdraw from this agreement.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions that the U.S. was hesitant to sign due to concerns over economic impacts.

Clean Air Act (1990)

Federal legislation that provides the legal framework for implementing cap and trade systems in the United States.

Cap and Trade

A market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives, such as emissions allowances that polluters can trade.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

An example of a successful cap and trade program that has been adopted by several states.

Fran Pavley

A legislator who sponsored significant California legislation focused on regulating tailpipe emissions.

SB 375

A California law aimed at promoting smart growth by limiting land use and reducing urban sprawl.

Adaptation

Steps taken to prepare for and deal with the effects of climate change, such as infrastructure improvements and emergency preparedness plans.

Resilience

A term borrowed from biology referring to the ability of communities to cope with and recover from climate-related disasters.

Mitigation

Efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including renewable energy initiatives and energy efficiency programs.

Statutory Law

Laws enacted by legislative bodies that form the backbone of the legal system in the United States.

Common Law

A legal system rooted in English law that evolved from judicial decisions and reflects societal norms.

Deterrence Theory

A criminological theory suggesting that harsh penalties can prevent crime, used as a justification for the War on Drugs.

War on Drugs

An initiative started by President Nixon to deter crime through harsh punishments, treating drug abuse as a criminal issue rather than a public health concern.

Community Policing

Also known as "broken windows" policing, this model focuses on building relationships between law enforcement and citizens to prevent minor disturbances and address safety issues collaboratively.

Stop and Frisk

A controversial policing tactic allowing officers to stop and search individuals, criticized for racial profiling and disproportionately affecting minority communities.

Back to Basics Movement

An educational reform movement advocating for a return to traditional core subjects, specifically reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Guaranteed Tax Base Model

An education funding model designed to balance spending disparities across different school districts.

Charter Schools

Independent public schools often seen as laboratories for innovation that offer unique educational themes.

School Voucher Movement

A policy effort providing families with financial choices in education, allowing public funds to follow students to their chosen schools.

National Education Association (NEA)

One of the two major teachers' unions in the U.S. that advocates for educator rights and influences educational policy.

No Child Left Behind Act (2001)

Bipartisan federal legislation that introduced high-stakes standardized testing and accountability measures to address educational disparities.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

A federal education initiative historically aligned with Democratic Party policy.

Common Core State Standards

Consistent educational standards across states focusing on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills for students.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

A federal program providing block grants to states that replaced AFDC in $1996$, allowing states more control over welfare design.

Medicaid

A joint state and federal entitlement program providing health insurance to over $67$ million low-income Americans, including mothers, children, and the elderly.

Medicare

A federal entitlement program exclusively for the elderly that was established in $1965$ as part of the Social Security Act.

Universal Healthcare

A proposed single-payer system that would eliminate private insurance and place all medical care under federal control; projected to cost an additional $32$ trillion over $10$ years.

Devolution

The transfer of responsibilities and decision-making authority from the federal government to state governments.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Taxes

Taxes on sugary drinks implemented or discussed in states like Connecticut and New York as a strategy to reduce unhealthy food consumption.

Fentanyl

A synthetic opioid significantly more potent than morphine and heroin, contributing to approximately $73,000$ annual overdose deaths in the U.S.

Dillon’s Rule

The legal principle that local governments only possess the powers explicitly granted to them by state governments.

Home Rule

A concept allowing local governments more autonomy to self-govern, typically outlined in a local charter.

Special Districts

Single-purpose governments created to address specific needs, such as water management, public transportation, or education.

Council-Manager System

A governance model that combines an elected council for policy-making with a professional manager to oversee daily administrative operations.

Sheriff

Commonly recognized as the oldest law enforcement office, with historical roots derived from the UK and historical policing models.