February 12, 2007
In This Edition: Transportation Funding Crisis, Mayoral-Appointed School Boards, Community Health Workers, Regulating Cell Towers and Dual Employment for Legislators
Capitol Ideas is a periodic listing of story ideas and background information from new NCSL research.
Each of the topics below is highlighted in NCSL's LegisBrief series. LegisBriefs are concise, easy-to-read and informative two-page reports. The goal of LegisBrief is to give you a wealth of insight into the issues that affect us all. For members of the press to obtain a free copy of LegisBrief, contact NCSL's Press Team.
Transportation Funding Crisis
State transportation revenues are not keeping pace with escalating construction costs and burgeoning needs. State transportation revenue can no long meet needs. In 2008, states are seeking revenues for transportation by tapping traditional funding sources such as the gas tax and forming new public-private partnerships.
Mayoral-Appointed School Boards
Since the early 1990's, some state legislatures have allowed mayors to appoint some or all of a city's school board members, typically in large urban school districts. Find out how many cities allow the mayor to seat school board members in this fashion and if mayor-led reform can improve student performance.
Community Health Workers
This is a generic term for a growing field of nonclinical public health workers who serve as liaisons between health care providers and patients who traditionally lack access to adequate care, such as poor people those in rural communities and recent immigrants. Community health workers live in the same neighborhoods and share the same cultural experiences as the people they serve. Because they do generally do not hold professional licenses, they do not provide direct medical care. Learn more about how community health workers may break barriers and save money.
Regulating Telecommunications Tower Siting
More than 243 million consumers currently subscribe to wireless service in the United States. Placement of telecommunications towers can be controversial and more heated debates are expected in the years to come. Nine states currently have some form of legislation regulating telecommunications tower siting, while other states use various methods to regulate tower siting.
Dual Employment: Regulating Public Sector Jobs for Legislators
Dual employment, also known as double dipping, is the practice of drawing two government incomes. Examples include a state legislator who also is a state employee, a city firefighter or a public school teacher. Many states and lawmakers have limited employment and the laws fall into six categories. Learn what law your state has in place and what restriction s may limit opportunities for legislators to find employment.
Other NCSL tools:
NCSL Election Resources
NCSL is the number one resource for reporters covering statehouses or elections in 2008. NCSL's presidential primary calendar, election laws and procedures, voter ID laws, information on the electoral college bills, and State Vote websites are free tools for reporters to use. With over 75 percent of all state legislative seats to be decided in 2008, NCSL's State Vote chart is a must have for journalists! Members of the media may also contact NCSL's Press Team, who can answer your questions or put you in touch with an NCSL policy expert.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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