A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of the Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to change congressional terms. The first section discusses representation and the sovereignty of the people through the issues of actual and virtual…

The attitudes of current and former Alabama legislators and educators toward higher education were surveyed. Attention was directed to current attitudes about higher education and changes in attitudes in the last 10 years, along with views on the influence of information sources. Questionnaire respondents were asked how accurate and responsive…

A report based on a conference on the impact of cost information on statewide budgeting and planning is presented. The conference was organized around case-study reports on the use of cost information in higher education budgeting in Florida, Indiana, Washington, and Wisconsin. Rather than publishing convention proceedings, the case studies were…

New directions that state legislatures have taken in regard to accountability in higher education are reviewed, along with the way that the relationship between the legislature and higher education is changing as a result of new developments. In response to public criticism that the legislature is too responsive to pressure groups, does not do its…

Addressed primarily to practitioners--legislators, administrators, and their staffs--this monograph is structured around a series of hypothetical exchanges between legislators and administrators concerning the implementation of a basic skills program. The author asserts that the hierarchical control that legislators traditionally rely on for…

The 1979 "Index of Institutions of Higher Education, by State and Congressional District" reports the names of the senators, representatives, and other elected officials of the 96th Congress, their states and congressional districts, and each institution of higher education located in the districts. Also included are the control, type, sex…

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…

This unit is intended to provide the student with clear understanding of the function of interest groups and lobbyists in the American Democratic political system. It has been designed to be used for 12-17 days of class work. However, it is possible to alter this time by several days depending upon the individual situation. "Why Lobby"? is divided…

This booklet contains a brief analysis of four "real life" alternatives (Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, and New York) for State systems of funding schools, along with a concise conceptual framework for approaching the study of school finance reform. Because the booklet was prepared as a practical guide for State legislators, the authors avoid highly…

As William Beltz (1912-1960) grew up in the mining towns of northern Alaska, he observed the unequal treatment of the native Indians and Eskimos in the territory of Alaska. Part Eskimo himself, Will worked to improve conditions and to obtain equal rights for his people. As a member (and later president) of the Alaska Carpenters Union and as a…

This testimony presents evidence of children's television advertising excesses and abuses. The testimony points out that the average TV-watching child sees more than 22,000 commercials a year, and that on the programs most popular with children large numbers of over-the-counter drugs and hazardous products are advertised. The history of private…

The focus of this hearing is to review Federal and State oversight of child welfare programs and systems designed to prevent abuse and neglect of children, including those under State protection. The purpose being to provide subcommittee representatives the opportunity to learn what Federal, State, and local officials should be doing to ensure…

This guide is a revised and adapted version of a previous monograph, "A New Public Perspective on Representative Democracy: A Guide for Legislative Interns." The guide focuses on civic perspective: how citizens view the political institutions, processes, and people that are fundamental to representative democracy in the United States. It…

This digest addresses teaching about the U.S. Congress. The digest addresses the constitutional foundations of the U.S. Congress, including the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, representation, bicameralism, and the balance of power between state and federal government and among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the federal…

This study examines the perceptions of legislators in Natrona County, Wyoming, concerning the impact community college attendance has on a student's future earning power. Eight congressmen and four senators were interviewed between November 30, 2000, and January 31, 2001. Results included: (1) nine legislators held perceptions that could be…