Concludes that in spite of the small number of black women office holders, they have been able to maneuver themselves to be on target when critical issues are of concern to their legislative districts. (Author/AM)

The Congress began the reorganization of the appropriations process by passing the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. It established new budget committees in each house. However, the efficient use of competent policy studies by Congress may still be blocked "by major obstacles--inherent both in the structure of Congress and in the incentives…

Educational institutions should mount sophisticated lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, say three members of Congress (Senators Harrison Schmitt and Dennis DeConcini and Congressman Morris Udall). Lobbying in the legislative process, effective lobbyists, political action committees, and effective lobbying from nonprofit groups are discussed.…

In this paper, social science utilization is studied as an aspect of legislative decision making. The purposes of the paper are to provide a review of political science literature on state legislatures, offer a theoretical framework for interpreting utilization of social science research, apply the framework to interview data, and generate a…

Higher education lobbyists in Washington work as liaisons between their institutions and the federal government. The experiences of several lobbyists are described. Lobbying is seen as a game of knowing the people who can help and showing the legislators how a side of an issue benefits them. (MLW)

A "mini-manual" for individuals in education and the human services interested in increasing their involvement in the political process presupposes that much powerlessness is self-imposed, and encourages attitude change to make the most of potential individual power. The manual is also an introduction to lobbying and the legislative process. After…

An independent task force, originally asked to explore the broad area of political public affairs broadcasting, changed its focus as a result of the Watergate crisis to the future of television as a source of information on the institutions and issues of government. To reinstate the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches…

The current status of state policy on minimum competency testing in Wisconsin, and the political process that produced that policy, are explored in this report. The document presents the preliminary findings of research conducted for a doctoral dissertation. The research methodology, mentioned only briefly, involved participant observation,…

The American Council on Education, its Commission on Governmental Relations, and the governmental relations staffs of other national education associations have prepared a legislative agenda. Items of concern to the higher education community are identified, areas of top priority are suggested, and specific action is recommended.…

This monograph and its companion volume, "Shaping Education Policy in the States," portray the contemporary role of state legislators and map the structure of educational leadership in terms of both the characteristics of influential legislators and staff and the nature of influence structures in state legislatures. An outgrowth of the "State…

This monograph and its companion, "Legislative Education Leadership in the States," portray the contemporary role of state legislators and map the structure of education leadership in terms of both the characteristics of influential legislators and staff and the nature of influence structures in state legislatures. This volume reports…

Discusses the use of lobbying by education interest groups in the political process. Suggests lobbying strategies and techniques effective at the state level. (FMW)

Examines present lack of judicial restraint by analyzing "Missouri v. Jenkins," a case upholding a court-ordered tax increase to fund school desegregation. Maintains that elected representatives placate interest groups and abdicate power in favor of the courts when political decisions are unpopular. Questions the implications for future…

An examiniation of past and recent federal legislation affecting American Indians reveals the important role of Congress in developing policy for Indian affairs. The role of Congress inititally seemed directed toward providing a legal means of taking Indian land and other resources for the benefit of non-Indians. Subsequent policy has varied…