Exam Three State and local Policy

What action did Trump attempt regarding the Paris Accord?

Trump attempted to withdraw the United States from the Paris Accord.

How did states respond to Trump's environmental policies?

States sued Trump over environmental issues.

What is the partisan divide on climate change?

Republicans are generally less worried about global warming compared to Democrats.

When did the modern environmental movement begin?

The modern environmental movement started in the 1960s.

What federal agency was created in the 1970s?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is New Jersey's approach to greenhouse gases?

New Jersey has implemented policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What unique policy niche does California have?

California has a Clean Air Act provision that allows it to set stricter air quality standards.

Who sponsored the regulation of tailpipe emissions in California?

Fran Pavley.

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the EPA?

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of states petitioning the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the Cap and Trade system?

A system that limits pollution by assigning allowances to polluters, who can sell excess permits.

What was the Clean Power Plan?

An Obama initiative aimed at reducing carbon pollution from power plants.

What challenges do coal-dependent regions face in promoting renewable energy?

They face difficulties transitioning away from coal due to economic reliance on the coal industry.

What is fracking?

A process of extracting natural gas and oil by injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the ground.

What is the scientific consensus on global warming?

There is a general agreement among scientists that global warming is occurring.

What does California's law SB 375 aim to address?

It aims to reduce urban sprawl and promote sustainable land use.

What is resilience in the context of climate change?

The ability to cope and recover from climate disasters.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

A 1997 international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What are greenhouse gases?

Emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, that contribute to global warming.

What is smog?

A type of air pollution that results from a mixture of smoke and fog.

What is the role of building codes?

They set standards for the safety and environmental impact of structures.

What is LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a widely used green building rating system.

What are green jobs?

Occupations that contribute to environmental sustainability.

What is the focus of adaptation in climate change?

Preparing for and dealing with the effects of climate change.

What was the response of conservative states to the Clean Power Plan?

Coal-reliant states sued against the Clean Power Plan.

What is the significance of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative?

It is a cooperative effort among states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through cap and trade.

What is the impact of extreme weather on states?

Increased disaster and wildfire damage, as well as loss of shoreline.

What is the debate surrounding green jobs?

Whether the focus should be on job creation or environmental protection.

Define mitigation in relation to climate change.

Reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases and other steps taken to curb the forces that cause climate change.

What is common law?

Law composed of judges' legal opinions that reflects community practices and evolves over time, based on English law.

What theory underpins the prison system based on deterrence?

The theory that harsh penalties will deter people from committing crimes.

What is solitary confinement?

A practice in which a prisoner is confined to a cell without human contact, potentially causing or exacerbating mental illness.

What are supermax prisons?

High-security prisons designed to house violent criminals.

What was the purpose of the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)?

To reduce the amount of sexual assault in prison.

What is the War on Drugs?

An effort by the federal government to treat drug abuses as a law enforcement issue rather than a public health problem.

What does mass incarceration refer to?

The US's strikingly high rate of imprisonment.

What is stop and frisk?

A police tactic that allows officers to stop, question, and search citizens under narrowly defined circumstances.

What is community policing?

An approach that emphasizes police officers forming relationships with neighborhood residents and engaging in collaborative problem solving.

What is the significance of the death of George Floyd in relation to police shootings?

It brought police shootings to the forefront of the social/political agenda, highlighting systemic issues.

What is recidivism?

The tendency of criminals to relapse into criminal behavior and be returned to prison.

What is the median income of new prisoners in 2024?

$19,185, which is 41% lower than non-incarcerated people of the same age.

What is the Three Strikes Law?

A law under which individuals arrested and convicted of three felony crimes face a minimum of 25 years imprisonment.

What are drug courts?

Special tribunals that offer nonviolent drug offenders a chance at reduced or dismissed charges in exchange for treatment or rehabilitation.

What is community or restorative justice?

A movement that emphasizes non-traditional punishment, such as community service.

What is the impact of illiteracy on crime?

Illiteracy is closely related to crime; over 70% of inmates cannot read above a fourth-grade level.

What is fentanyl?

A potent synthetic opioid drug approved for pain relief and anesthesia, approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.

What percentage of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose?

6 out of 10.

What was the opioid abuse declared in 2017?

A national public health emergency.

What does decriminalization refer to?

The process of removing criminal penalties for certain acts, such as drug use or shoplifting.

What is the relationship between poverty and crime?

Poverty and crime go hand in hand, with minorities more than twice as likely to live in poverty in the US.

What is the significance of the 2024 police shooting statistics?

In 2024, there were 1173 fatal police shootings, with 98 being unarmed.

What is the role of education in reducing recidivism?

Inmates receiving literacy help have a 16% chance of returning to prison, compared to 70% without help.

What is the basis of all state public education systems?

The common school, where children of all income levels attend at taxpayer expense.

What is the primary policymaking body for K-12 education in many states?

State board of education.

What does the 'back to basics' movement advocate for?

A return to traditional core subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

What are high-stakes standardized tests?

Tests where poor results can lead to students failing to be promoted or schools losing accreditation.

What is the role of the U.S. Department of Education?

It is a cabinet-level education agency of the federal government created in 1978.

What does the Tenth Amendment dictate regarding education?

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states, meaning states have regulatory authority over education.

What is accreditation in the context of education?

A certification process where outside experts evaluate whether a school meets minimum quality standards.

How is public education primarily funded?

By state and local governments through income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.

What is the 'guaranteed tax base' model?

A model used by many states to balance disparities in local property wealth, ensuring a minimum funding base for schools.

What is the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)?

An independent survey assessing what a nationally representative sample of students in grades 4, 8, and 12 know in various subjects.

What does the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) compare?

The performance in science and mathematics of students in 46 countries.

What is the purpose of the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program?

To offer tests that qualify individuals for a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

What is the standards movement in education?

An effort to create benchmarks of adequate learning for each subject at each grade level.

What was the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)?

A federal law passed in 1965 to improve local schools, particularly for low-income and minority students.

What does the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) focus on?

Introducing new accountability measures for elementary and secondary schools receiving federal education aid.

What are Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?

A set of uniform learning expectations in English and math for students at the end of each grade.

What challenges do schools face in recruiting good teachers?

Fewer people choosing education as a career and widespread teacher shortages in many states.

What are charter schools?

Public schools managed by teachers, principals, or nonprofit groups, often with unique themes.

What is the school voucher movement?

A movement allowing taxpayer dollars to be used for families to choose public, private, or parochial schools.

What does homeschooling entail?

The education of children at home, often with waivers from state truancy laws.

What is the role of teachers' unions?

To organize employees at all educational levels and provide support for educational initiatives.

What is the National PTA?

A powerful voice advocating for all children and public education.

How do national political parties influence education?

Democrats focus on closing the gap between affluent and low-income schools, while Republicans emphasize local control.

What contrasting approaches did Florida and California take regarding education during COVID?

Florida discussed going back to school, while California discussed not going back.

What are the contrasting approaches of Florida and California regarding school reopening during the pandemic?

Florida government talks about going back to school, while California government talks about not going back to school.

What is the current ranking of Florida in education since the pandemic?

Florida is ranked #1 in education since the pandemic.

What is a key area where charter schools outperform traditional schools?

Charter schools have an edge in improving graduation rates.

What is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program?

A next-generation welfare program that provides federal assistance in the form of block grants to states.

What are Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicaid is a joint state and federal health insurance program for low-income individuals, while Medicare is a federal health insurance program for the elderly.

What is an entitlement program?

A government-run program that guarantees unlimited assistance to those who meet eligibility requirements.

How many Americans does Medicaid provide health insurance and services to?

Medicaid provides health insurance and services to more than 67 million Americans.

What are the largest single budget items in the US?

Medicaid and Medicare cost more than social security and defense spending.

What is universal healthcare?

A single-payer health care system that eliminates all private insurance and places all medical care in the hands of the federal government.

What is the Devolution Revolution?

An effort to transfer responsibilities from the federal government to the states.

What does the Massachusetts single-payer system cover?

All state residents are covered for all medically necessary services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and more.

What is the income threshold for free care in Maine?

Free care must be provided to residents with income less than 150% of the federal poverty level.

What is a significant drawback of Medicaid long-term care coverage?

Patients must have nothing in assets to qualify for long-term care under Medicaid.

What is public health?

The area of medicine that deals with the protection and improvement of citizen health and hygiene through government agencies.

What defines a pandemic?

An outbreak of a disease that spreads across a large geographical area and affects a high proportion of the population.

How did Florida's COVID response differ from other states?

Florida focused on those 65 and older and prioritized COVID deaths over cases.

What percentage of Americans are considered obese according to the CDC?

42.4% of Americans are considered obese.

What are the leading causes of alcohol-attributable deaths in the US?

Alcohol-associated liver disease, heart disease, stroke, and various cancers.

What is the impact of smoking on health?

Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other serious health issues, responsible for over 480,000 deaths per year in the US.

What is the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the US?

$260 billion in 2016 US dollars.

What were the fentanyl overdose death statistics for 2021?

70,601 fentanyl overdose deaths.

What is the significance of the local government structure in the US?

Local governments vary widely, reflecting the political culture and needs of their communities.

What is the trend regarding taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages?

States are considering statewide taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to combat health issues.

What are the three general forms of local government in the US?

Counties, Municipalities, and Special districts.

What is the primary role of local governments?

To deliver a broad range of public services such as education, law enforcement, roads, and utilities.