Posts from the ‘Courses’ Category

Assessing public service reforms in the age of neoliberalism

In June I completed a seminar on Public Sector Reform in the MPA program of the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University.  The aim was to review and assess the main elements of public sector reforms during the age of neoliberalism (roughly 1978 to 2008.)   We had a great discussion.  The question for the final short paper was: The ‘crisis of governability’ of the 1970s produced a new paradigm about the role and organization of government that guided reform over the next three decades. What do you think is the most important legacy of this period?

Excerpts from the responses: Read more

LPP speakers address state’s policy agenda

Today’s Law and Public Policy class featured two speakers on the Mass state government’s policy agenda for the coming year: Rosemary Powers, Senior Director of Government Affairs in the office of Governor Deval Patrick, and Michael Morris, Principal at Beacon Strategies Group.  The conversation was hosted by Greg Massing, Executive Director of the Rappaport Center.  Photo, left to right: Powers, Morris, Massing.

First student commentary for 2012 Rappaport Briefing now posted

The first student commentary produced for the Spring 2012 Rappaport Briefing is now available on rappaportbriefing.net.  Written by Eva Shell, the commentary examines challenges in serving English language learners in Massachusetts.  The commentaries are based on research papers written by students for my Law and Public Policy class in Fall 2011.

David Paleologos talks to Law and Public Policy class

David Paleologos, a polling specialist and Director of Suffolk University’s Political Research Center, talked to Law and Public Policy today. Here’s a story about one of his recent polls on the New Hampshire primary.

Tyler speaks to Law and Public Policy class

Sam Tyler, President of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, spoke about its role in contributing to policy discussions in yesterday’s Law and Public Policy class.

Forman talks to Law and Public Policy class

Ben Forman, Research Director for MassInc, talked to my Law and Public Policy class today about the Gateway Cities program.

Mullan talks to Law and Public Policy class

Jeff Mullan, former Secretary of the MA Department of Transportation, talked about the challenges of merging state agencies in today’s Law and Public Policy class.

Vennochi talks to Law and Public Policy class

Joan Vennochi, oped writer at the Boston Globe, talked to my Law and Public Policy class today about the changing role of the media in the policy process.