|
|
 |
Home
> NASPAA
Initiatives > PAA
Honor Society
Online Journals - Volume 4
 |
Improving California’s Beverage Container Recycling Rates:
A Case for Structural Program Changes |
|
By
Carol Nelson, Golden Gate University |
|
Download
the Article in Acrobat Reader |
|
Abstract
As their populations increase, many states recognize the dual problems of roadside litter and increasing demands for more landfill capacity. To abate these problems, California is one of ten states enacting bottle bill laws requiring deposit and refund systems on the sales of beverages. Among the ten states, California ranks 4th in beverage container recycling. This study compares the features of California’s bottle bill program to those of the three states with higher recycling rates, and recommends structural changes to California’s recycling program to achieve higher recycling rates.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
 |
Author
Biography
Carol Nelson is the Deputy Chief for the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Recycling, responsible for both policy and administrative matters. She received her Executive Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, in 2002. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts, as well as a teaching credential. Nelson has worked in California State government for 22 years, including nine years at the Department of Finance, whose primary mission is preparing the Governor’s annual budget. |
|
Carol Nelson
Deputy Chief
|
|
|
Pragmatism and Performance Measurement:
An Exploration of Pragmatic Practices in Texas State Government |
|
By
Timothy L. Wilson, Southwest Texas State University |
|
Download
the Article in Acrobat Reader |
|
Abstract
The fabled politics-administration dichotomy has largely been discredited as a guiding force in the field of public administration. The dichotomy lives on in the minds of many because nothing has emerged to take its place. Recent scholarship, however, has advanced the notion that the philosophy of American pragmatism could become such a force; some public administration scholars point to a so-called “implied pragmatism” as evidence. Implied pragmatism is the presence of pragmatic principles within the practice of public administration, even if not acknowledged as such. The present research explores this phenomenon within the State of Texas performance measurement system. This study reports the results of a survey that was distributed to all Texas state agencies and a subsequent focus group. Scant evidence of pragmatic principles was found within the dynamics of performance measure development. However, considerable evidence of pragmatism was found regarding the use and usefulness of performance measurement data. It was also found that small state agencies showed less evidence of pragmatic principles than did larger agencies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| Author
Biography
Tim Wilson is a currently a Systems Analyst for the Texas Education Agency and is a recent graduate of the Southwest Texas State University MPA program. He also holds an undergraduate degree in History from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Wilson has spent over 25 years in the public and non-profit sectors, working primarily in the alcohol and drug abuse field as a program director, developer and evaluator. He has also had several stints as a professional musician. |
|
|
A Dose of Reality: The Demand for Prescription Drug Coverage |
|
By Rhonda Kay McPherson,
West Virginia University, |
|
Download
the Article in Acrobat Reader |
|
Abstract
Current policy initiatives regarding Medicare and prescription drug coverage lack research and insight that are vital to creating a successful program for America’s elderly citizens. Too often, proposed policies regarding this issue lack effectiveness in both coverage and cost and do not consider the costs associated with our increasing aged population. The problems associated with uninsured elders, rural elders, and rising prescription drug costs are not accounted for in current policy. Policy-makers need to be aware of the risks associated with a government-run prescription drug plan and should shift some of the financial burden of such a policy into the private sector. “A Dose of Reality: The Demand for Prescription Drug Coverage” analyzes the aforementioned problems as well as uncovers who is in the most need of prescription drug coverage among the elder population.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
 |
Author
Biography
Rhonda McPherson is a two-time graduate of West Virginia University; she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science, and her Master’s Degree in Public and Health Care Administration. Miss McPherson was recently elected to the West Volusia Hospital Authority of Volusia County, Florida as one of five commissioners. The Hospital Authority allocates the funding of indigent health care throughout West Volusia County. Miss McPherson is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, Volusia County’s Human Services Advisory Board, the Volusia County Executive Committee, and serves as a Precinct Leader in the community.
|
|
Rhonda McPherson
Consultation Teacher |
|
During her graduate studies, Miss McPherson worked with the West Virginia University Center on Aging, Education Unit, working as the Program Administrator for the Practitioner Certificate in Gerontology. In addition, Rhonda worked at University Health Associates during her undergraduate career at WVU, where her passions for health care and policy were strengthened. Rhonda has taught multiple workshops and spoken at several conferences presenting her research on Medicare and prescription drug coverage. Currently, Miss McPherson is an employee of Volusia County Schools serving as a Consultation Teacher for special needs students placed in regular education classrooms.
|
|
|
