Digital Commons Network^™

Providing Shelter For The Homeless: Faith-Based Organizations As Instruments Of The Public Good, Elizabeth D. Fredericksen, Stephanie L. Witt

Research and Reports

Networked public service delivery requires attention to accountability and implementation in the public interest. Using the case of transitional housing in a western US community, we review the challenges of goal incongruence between network members and the resulting management problems. In addition, this case illustrates the role that local governments may play in promoting the primacy of one network member over others through collaborations, contract arrangements and nonmonetary resources and the resulting political and judicial difficulties. The complexity of networked service delivery is compounded when the individual missions of network members supersede public policy goals. In many communities, FBOs, as …

The Role Of The State In Idaho Land Use Planning, Stephanie L. Witt, Carole Nemnich

Research and Reports

Prior to the recession of 2009-10, Idaho was the sixth fastest growing state by population in the country. Even as the economic downturn reduces the pressures of growth, Idaho's diverse cities and counties continue strive for thoughtful planning that will reflect their community values and needs. This White Paper will examine the role of the state in local land use planning by (1) comparing Idaho's structure to those of states with a more pronounced role in land use planning and (2) discussing the attitudes of Idaho city officials, planners and members of the real estate and development communities about the …

The United Way Of Treasure Valley 2011 Community Assessment, Public Policy Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

In February of 2011, the United Way of Treasure Valley (UWTV), in partnership with Saint Alphonsus Health System and St. Luke’s Health System, contracted with Boise State University to conduct a community assessment in the Treasure Valley (primarily Ada and Canyon Counties), which is home to approximately 40% of the state’s population. A community assessment is a process of gathering, analyzing, and reporting information about the needs of the community and the capacities or strengths that are also currently available to meet those needs.¹ The report that follows details the findings of the Treasure Valley community assessment.

The community …

Passion, Protest, Or Just Plain Incivility?: Responding To Bad Behaviors In Public Meetings, Suzanne Mccorkle

Research and Reports

Bad behavior is not new, but the prevalence of incivility seems a rising tide in the public arena. Passionate outbursts at a public input meeting and planned protest to disrupt meetings are captured with increasing frequency on today’s omnipresent electronic media. The negative invective allowed/encouraged during political campaigns seems to carry over to public input meetings and other places intended for the measured, deliberative processes of governance. In the public forum, sometimes it is easy to discern the planned protest from the passionate outburst; sometimes it is not. When a theater group pretending to be audience members broke into song …

Immigration And The Public Policy Survey, Greg Hill, Andy Bourne

Research and Reports

Evidence suggests that public opinion has a significant and measurable impact on legislative, executive, and citizen interaction. The state of Idaho is no exception. In this white paper, we examine a sample of the opinions of Idahoans, as expressed in the Public Policy Survey, on the subject of immigration.

In the 18th and 19th Annual Idaho Public Policy Surveys, the survey sample was asked to respond to a number of questions concerning immigration in Idaho. Questions on the survey ranged from economic impacts to the quality of education to indigent medical care. Of the many benefits that the data offers, …

Green Building In The Pacific Northwest: Next Steps For An Emerging Trend, Susan G. Mason, Anthony Marker, Rebecca Mirsky

Research and Reports

This report provides an understanding of why green building is important to our communities, a brief look at the emergence of green building standards, research evidence on the perceived pros and cons of green building, and original research on green building in the Pacific Northwest. The original research is an analysis of perspectives voiced in conversations, focus groups and surveys with both members of the construction industry and local government on the barriers and incentives to green building in their local communities. As nearly 500 construction industry members and just over 300 local governments participated in the research, this report …

Green Building In The Pacific Northwest: Next Steps For An Emerging Trend, Office Of Sustainability, Boise State University, Public Policy Center, Boise State University, Susan Mason, Anthony Marker, Rebecca Mirsky

Research and Reports

This report provides an understanding of why green building is important to our communities, a brief look at the emergence of green building standards, research evidence on the perceived pros and cons of green building, and original research on green building in the Pacific Northwest. The original research is an analysis of perspectives voiced in conversations, focus groups and surveys with both members of the construction industry and local government on the barriers and incentives to green building in their local communities. As nearly 500 construction industry members and just over 300 local governments participated in the research, this report …

That Could Be Me: The New Voices Of Poverty In Idaho, Stephanie Witt, Lisa Wennstrom, Carole Nemnich

Research and Reports

In fall of 2009, Boise State University Radio aired a series of stories highlighting the impacts of the changing economy on ordinary Idahoans. The stories were part of a larger project funded in part by the National Center for Media Engagement. The project culminated in a community roundtable held in September of 2009 at which advocates and policy makers discussed the stories, the larger context of poverty here in Idaho, and made policy recommendations. The Public Policy Center at Boise State University was contracted by Boise State Radio to prepare this short white paper. The paper is divided into three …

Nineteen Years Of Public Opinion: The Boise State University Annual Public Policy Survey, Gregory Hill, Andy Bourne, Seth Grigg, Stephanie L. Witt

Research and Reports

Evidence suggests that public opinion has a significant and measurable impact on legislative, executive, and citizen interaction. The state of Idaho is no exception. In this white paper, we examine a sample of the opinions of Idahoans, as expressed in the Public Policy Survey, over the past nineteen years.

A Study Of Idaho Citizen’S Attitudes About Early Childhood Care & Education Issues, Social Science Research Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

Annually, the SSRC conducts a large-scale survey of Idahoans to identify public policy concerns. The study is provided to public officials and interested citizens to facilitate policy discussion and education. This study was undertaken in conjunction with the annual policy survey. The findings in this report reflect eleven questions sponsored by Mountain State’s Group, supported by a grant from the Anne Casey Foundation.

Public Perceptions About Early Childhood Issues, Public Policy Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

A survey of the Idaho public reveals strong support for funding and programs aimed at enhanced early childhood education and childcare options, particularly for working parents and low-income households.

Treasure Valley State Of The Region: Progress Report 2008, Public Policy Center, Boise State University, Gregory C. Hill

Research and Reports

The original Treasure Valley State of the Region Report (2006) describes the Boise- Nampa MSA using 49 indicators on social, economic, fiscal and environmental aspects of the region. Comparisons using the indicators are also made with peer regions in the Western United States. The rapid increase in growth in the Treasure Valley warrants a comprehensive look at the region. The Public Policy Center in the College of Social Science and Public Affairs at Boise State University initiated the production of this report to meet this need.

This report was assembled by faculty and graduate students in an effort to produce …

Mobile Home Living In Boise: Its Uncertain Future And Alarming Decline, College Of Social Sciences And Public Affairs, Boise State University, Jim Birdsall, Susan Emerson, Molly K. Humphreys, Susan Mason, Kevin Nehila, Roy Rodenhiser, Todd Shallat

Research and Reports

In a city of 211,000, in a county where one in five earn less than the $10 an hour required to afford a modest apartment, one in twenty-five houses is a steel-framed aluminum home. An estimated 5,412 Boiseans occupy 2,706 manufactured houses in 50 mobile home parks. Half are seniors with a median annual income of $20,000. Most are female. Nearly half have a chronic medical condition. One in four rent space in a park listed for sale or slated for redevelopment. At least 900 have been evicted since the peak of the real estate boom in 2004. In September …

Planning For Sustainable Growth – Calgary, Alberta, Glen Radway

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

Vancouver: A City On The Edge, John Madden

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

Putting Communities In Motion Into Action, Susan G. Mason

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

Public Perceptions About Local Option Taxes And Issues Related To Mass Transit, Public Policy Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

Public opinion surveys indicate that Idaho citizens are supportive of local option taxes when subject to local voter approval for funding mass transportation. Mass transit is viewed favorably where it is feasible, especially in the urban areas. A cohort of citizens currently use mass transit, and at current gasoline prices of $2 - $3 per gallon, 16% of Idaho citizens would consider public transportation.

Opinions On Health Care, Public Policy Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

Comparison between National insurance coverage and Idaho insurance coverage.

Idaho Energy Policy Survey 2007, Social Science Research Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

513 adults in Idaho households representing six geographic regions were surveyed between December 11th, 2006 to January 5th, 2007. Telephone calls, interviews, data collection and preparation were made by Clearwater Research.

Wolves In Idaho, Public Policy Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

2006 Governor’S Summit On Aging: The Coming Of Age, Susan G. Mason, Mason, Barrett & Hill

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

Energy Policy Issues, Social Science Research Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

534 adults in Idaho households representing six geographic regions were surveyed between November 3 & December 4th, 2005. Telephone calls, interviews, data collection and preparation were made by Clearwater Research.

Idaho National Laboratory Awareness And Perception Survey Of Idahoans, Social Science Research Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

The SSRC at Boise State University conducted a survey of Idahoans to identify public attitudes and perceptions regarding a variety of issues important to the Idaho National Laboratory.

Treasure Valley State Of The Region Report: A Preliminary View Of Performance Indicators, Institute For Urban And Regional Planning, Boise State University, Gregory C. Hill, Susan G. Mason, Jim Weatherby

Research and Reports

The Treasure Valley State of the Region Report, while preliminary, describes the Boise- Nampa MSA using 49 indicators on social, economic, fiscal and environmental aspects of the region. Comparisons using the indicators are also made with peer regions in the Western United States. The rapid increase in growth in the Treasure Valley warrants a comprehensive look at the region. The Institute of Urban and Regional Planning in the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State University initiated the production of this report to meet this need.

This report was assembled by faculty and graduate students in an …

Assessment Of Idahoans With Disabilities: State Independent Living Council Survey, Social Science Research Center, Boise State University

Research and Reports

The data for the survey of Idahoans with disabilities for the State Independent Living Council (SILC) was collected between December 12th, 2004 and January 4th, 2005 by Clearwater Research of Boise, Idaho. The Social Science Research Center at Boise State University was contracted by SILC to coordinate the survey for the council. Funding was provided by SILC and the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Troubled Water: Exploring Solutions For The Western Water Crisis, Andrus Center For Public Policy

Research and Reports

On April 19 and 20, 2005, the Andrus Center for Public Policy and the Idaho Statesman convened a conference, entitled Troubled Water, on the campus of Boise State University. Its purpose was to explore solutions for the Western water crisis. The conference was organized around the premise that in the 21st Century, water scarcity will reshape the West’s economy, growth, agriculture, environment, and recreation opportunities. In addition, access to clean water will be a global issue of huge importance.

Troubled Water: Exploring Solutions For The Western Water Crisis, Andrus Center For Public Policy

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

Usda Forest Service: The Next 100 Years, Andrus Center For Public Policy

Research and Reports

The U.S. Forest Service is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It will host a national congress in early January of 2005, exactly 100 years after the first Forest Congress and subsequent to holding a series of regional conferences throughout the country. On November 18-19, 2004, the Andrus Center for Public Policy, the Idaho Statesman, and the Forest Service presented one of those conferences in Boise, Idaho. The topics for this conference were wildland fire and forest health.

Usda Forest Service: The Next 100 Years, Andrus Center For Public Policy

Research and Reports

No abstract provided.

A Challenge Still Unmet: A Critical Assessment Of The Policy Response To Wildland Fire: The Fires Next Time, Andrus Center For Public Policy

Research and Reports

After the historic 2000 fire season, the Andrus Center for Public Policy and the Idaho Statesman convened a conference, The Fires Next Time, which brought together fire experts, state and local officials, the insurance industry, timber executives, and environmentalists. We wanted answers to the vexing dilemma: how to change policy to begin to prevent these almost annual catastrophic fires. Those discussions brought a remarkable degree of consensus. Everyone agreed that we must shift from a federal policy that reacts to fire to one that adopts proactive measures to reduce fire threats to western communities. Three years later, it is painfully …