They also fall in line with the rest of the country in recognizing that there are both pros and cons regarding how free trade policies affect the national and state economies. Link
ISSUES AND ASSETS. For the first time, there is a detailed report on human service delivery issues for an extensive eight-county region surrounding Columbus, Georgia. The comprehensive assessment, which was conducted by the Vinson Institute, identifies the needs of each county and the region and will be of valuable use to policymakers. Link
LEADING THE WAY. The Legislative Leadership Institute had its inaugural session in June. The program is tailored to help newer lawmakers enhance their leadership skills in order to be more effective in today’s complicated legislative environment. Link
CHILD WELL-BEING. Providing a link between current child policy research and best practices is the goal of a new symposium series supported in part by the Vinson Institute. The first program, held April 21 in Athens, focused on how such factors as income, health, social class, and other gaps impact student achievement in Georgia. Link
PAPER CHASE. More and more local governments are realizing the value of converting paper maps and documents to digital format, and the Institute’s GIS specialists are busy helping them accomplish the process. Link
CIVICS 101. The Institute’s popular summer workshops on local and state government provide social studies educators with the knowledge and resources they need to teach their students about how government works and how they can be active citizens. Link
H2O OUTLOOK. Two new reports from Institute environmental policy experts offer decision makers timely information on groundwater and surface water laws and regulations in the southeastern states. Link
In other policy research news, Vinson Institute faculty are studying how variations in state property tax law affect county revenue systems and how the complexity of a financial management system impacts budget forecast accuracy. Look for reports of these studies in future issues of Newsworthy.
INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH. The International Center for Democratic Governance (ICDG) offers public administration students two opportunities to learn more about governing in our global society through internships in China Link
and a study abroad program in Ukraine. Link
Vinson Institute faculty are helping make a difference in local government democracy in Ukraine Link
and in the other Georgia. Link
ON YOUR OWN. Well-known scholar Carl Stenberg shared his views on what he believes is a return to “Fend-for-Yourself Federalism” in U.S. government during his presentation at the 2005 Morris W.H. Collins Distinguished Practitioner Lecture. Link
OUTSIDE THE BOX. Gwinnett County personnel enrolled in the advanced course of the Management Development Program recently stepped out of the public service arena in order to learn more about practical business applications from one of the leaders in the business, Scientific-Atlanta. Link
PUBLICATIONS SPOTLIGHT. The newest issue of State and Local Government Review includes articles on such topics as e-government, tenure of city managers, and the enfranchisement of felons and ex-felons. For abstracts and subscription information, go to Link.
New policy paper studies single mothers on welfare.... Link
OUTSTANDING OUTREACH. Vinson Institute director Jim Ledbetter is the new president of the Southern Consortium of University Public Service Organizations. Link
The Institute's Gordon Maner and Kitty Shollenberger were honored for their achievements in bringing training to Georgia city officials at the annual convention of the Georgia Municipal Association. Link
