Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: An Overview

Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: An Overview. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. R. Sam Garrett and Shawn Reese. May 4, 2016.

During the 113th Congress, legislation (H.R. 2019) became law (P.L. 113–94) eliminating Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) funding for convention operations. The 2012 Democratic and Republican convention committees each received grants, financed with public funds, of approximately $18.2 million (for a total of approximately $36.5 million, as rounded). Barring a change in the status quo, the 2016 presidential nominating conventions will, therefore, be the first since the 1976 election cycle not supported with public funds. Changes in PECF funding for convention operations do not affect separately appropriated security funds. The 114th Congress enacted one law (P.L. 114–113) in FY2016 that affected convention security funding with the appropriation of $100 million for the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions (each was allocated $50 million). This security funding will not be provided to party convention committees but to the state and local law enforcement entities assisting in securing the convention sites. Because public funding for convention operations has now been eliminated, this report provides a historical overview of how PECF convention funding functioned and describes private funding sources that remain available.

[PDF format, 13 pages, 758.28 KB].

Long-Form Reading Shows Signs of Life in Our Mobile News World

Long-Form Reading Shows Signs of Life in Our Mobile News World. Pew Research Center. Amy Mitchell et al. May 5, 2016.

In recent years, the news media have followed their audience’s lead and gone mobile, working to make their reporting accessible to the roughly seven-in-ten American adults who own a smartphone. With both a smaller screen size and an audience more apt to be dipping in and out of news, many question what kind of news content will prevail. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 40 pages, 880.41 KB].

Public Uncertain, Divided Over America’s Place in the World

Public Uncertain, Divided Over America’s Place in the World. Pew Research Center. May 5, 2016.

The public views America’s role in the world with considerable apprehension and concern. In fact, most Americans say it would be better if the U.S. just dealt with its own problems and let other countries deal with their own problems as best they can. With the United States facing an array of global threats, public support for increased defense spending has climbed to its highest level since a month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when 50% favored more defense spending. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 105 pages, 1.63 MB].

Comparing US and EU Approaches to Regulating Automotive Emissions and Fuel Economy

Comparing US and EU Approaches to Regulating Automotive Emissions and Fuel Economy. Resources for the Future. Thomas Flier and Joshua Linn. April 26, 2016.

Following Volkswagen’s admission of circumventing emissions requirements, discussions have taken place on both sides of the Atlantic regarding test improvements to address the gap between lab-based test values and real-world observations. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 9 pages, 496.6 KB].

Pay for Performance: A New Solution for Vulnerable Homeless Adults

Pay for Performance: A New Solution for Vulnerable Homeless Adults. American Enterprise Institute. Kevin C. Corinth. April 26, 2016.

An emerging consensus has formed among advocates, nonprofit organizations, and the federal government that we have discovered the best solution for vulnerable homeless adults—Housing First. While the Housing First model has rightly been celebrated for increasing housing stability among the most vulnerable, evidence for claims that it reduces homeless populations, saves money, and improves well-being is much weaker. According to the author, there’s a need for a new solution that builds on the success of Housing First in housing the most vulnerable but also pushes progress forward on other outcomes. I propose a “pay-for-performance” system that unconditionally accepts vulnerable individuals into medium-term or long-term supportive housing, but rather than mandate a specific service model, holds service providers accountable for performance: keeping people out of homelessness, minimizing costs, and improving well-being. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 10 pages, 283.6 KB].

Developments In International Mobile Roaming

Developments In International Mobile Roaming. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Frederic Bourassa et al. April 28, 2016.

The Council adopted on 16 February 2012 the Recommendation of the Council on International Mobile Roaming which provides a set of policy principles to ensure effective competition, consumer awareness and protection, and a fair price level in international mobile roaming services. The report provides an overview of progress made in the implementation of the Recommendation to determine whether any further action is necessary in this area. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 44 pages, 522.74 KB].

Engaging Communities in Reducing Gun Violence: A Road Map for Safer Communities

Engaging Communities in Reducing Gun Violence: A Road Map for Safer Communities. Urban Institute. Samuel Bieler et al. April 28, 2016.

Gun violence inflicts a devastating toll on communities of color, but the justice system response to this violence frequently destabilizes neighborhoods and damages police-community relations. The report shows that violence prevention demands a holistic set of solutions. Limiting access to firearms is part of the solution, but a comprehensive strategy will also require improving police-community relations, investing in community services, and facilitating community leadership in violence prevention efforts. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 67 pages, 947.6 KB].

Rethinking Coordination of Services to Refugees in Urban Areas

Rethinking Coordination of Services to Refugees in Urban Areas. RAND Corporation. Shelly Culbertson et al. April 27, 2016.

The study analyzes coordination of international and national entities managing the Syrian refugee response in urban areas in Jordan and Lebanon and provides recommendations on improving coordination strategies and practices. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 148 pages, 0.8 MB].

GOP’s Favorability Rating Edges Lower

GOP’s Favorability Rating Edges Lower. Pew Research Center. April 28, 2016.

The Republican Party’s image, already quite negative, has slipped since last fall. Currently 33% of the public has a favorable impression of the Republican Party, while 62% have an unfavorable view. Unfavorable opinions of the GOP are now as high as at any point since 1992. In October, 37% viewed the Republican Party favorably and 58% viewed it unfavorably. The decline in favorability since then has largely come among Republicans themselves: In the current survey, 68% of Republicans view their party positively, down from 79% last fall. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 11 pages, 371.01 KB].

A Wider Ideological Gap Between More and Less Educated Adults

A Wider Ideological Gap Between More and Less Educated Adults. Pew Research Center. April 26, 2016.

Two years ago, Pew Research Center found that Republicans and Democrats were more divided along ideological lines than at any point in the previous two decades. But growing ideological distance is not confined to partisanship. There are also growing ideological divisions along educational and generational lines. Highly educated adults, particularly those who have attended graduate school, are far more likely than those with less education to take predominantly liberal positions across a range of political values. And these differences have increased over the past two decades. [Note: contains copyrighted material].

[PDF format, 17 pages, 480.45 KB].