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Articles 31 - 60 of 203

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Cops, Cameras And Accountability: User-Generated Online Video And Public Space Police-Civilian Interactions, Douglas Alan Kelly May 2012

Cops, Cameras And Accountability: User-Generated Online Video And Public Space Police-Civilian Interactions, Douglas Alan Kelly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Video captured by increasingly ubiquitous civilian cameras and communicated to a mass audience over the Internet is capable of bypassing police jurisdictional influence over traditional mass media and may be affecting police-civilian interactions in American public space as the initial cusp of a paradigm shift. Historically, the ability to visually record activities in public space was reserved to those with the resources and the motivation to devote to the task. Police and traditional mass media wielded power through cameras, power often not available to the public. Today, police often find their cameras outnumbered by those under autonomous citizen control. An …


Oklahoma, Maine, Migration And The "Right To Work:" A Confused And Misleading Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2012

Oklahoma, Maine, Migration And The "Right To Work:" A Confused And Misleading Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

The recent article released by the Maine Heritage Policy Center (MHPC), “The Case for Right-to-Work in Maine: Examining the Evidence in Oklahoma” (1/23/2012), attempts to make a case for the supposed benefits of a right-to-work (RTW) law in Maine, by discussing the case of Oklahoma’s RTW law, and then presenting a number of statistics on migration to Oklahoma, and from Maine to RTW states. However, a closer examination of this report reveals that it is based on highly questionable and misleading assumptions, and its assertions are based on incomplete data.


Labor, Industry Fighting Over Unemployment Benefits — Sounds A Lot Like The 1960s, Charles A. Scontras Feb 2012

Labor, Industry Fighting Over Unemployment Benefits — Sounds A Lot Like The 1960s, Charles A. Scontras

Bureau of Labor Education

Current legislative efforts to reform the unemployment compensation law (LD1725) by increasing penalties for fraud and tightening qualifications for benefits, e.g., removal of the exemption of vacation time as a factor in assessing benefits and lengthening the search for employment after six weeks rather than the current requirement of twelve weeks, triggers some historical images.


Working Conditions And Patient Safety: Safe Staffing In Maine's Hospitals, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2012

Working Conditions And Patient Safety: Safe Staffing In Maine's Hospitals, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

A growing body of research is now documenting how serious problems in the work environments of nursing care in American hospitals are posing a threat to patient safety, as well as contributing to shortages of nurses working in hospital settings and in greater job stress and burnout among nurses. A major factor in this picture, according to a major report by the National Institute of Medicine, is the issue of chronic understaffing among direct care nurses.


What You Need To Know About Worker's Compensation, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2012

What You Need To Know About Worker's Compensation, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Annual data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor consistently reveal that for too many workers the result of their employment is a job-related injury, illness, and in a number of cases, death. These data document the ongoing need and importance of workers’ compensation. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on: • workers’ compensation, how it evolved in the U.S., and the impact of this history today; • developments with Maine’s law, and resources for accessing information on this statute; and • the need to reform workers’ compensation for Maine workers.


Critical Habitat And The Challenge Of Regulating Small Harms., Dave Owen Jan 2012

Critical Habitat And The Challenge Of Regulating Small Harms., Dave Owen

Publications

This Article investigates how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the courts are implementing the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on “adverse modification” of “critical habitat.” That prohibition appears to be one of environmental law’s most ambitious mandates, but its actual meaning and effect are contested. Using a database of over 4,000 “biological opinions,” interviews with agency staff, and a review of judicial decisions considering the adverse modification prohibition, this Article assesses the extent to which the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the courts are relying on the adverse modification …


Urbanization, Water Quality, And The Regulated Landscape, Dave Owen Apr 2011

Urbanization, Water Quality, And The Regulated Landscape, Dave Owen

Publications

Watershed scientists frequently describe urbanization as a primary cause of water quality degradation, and recent studies conclude that even in lightly-developed watersheds, urbanization often precludes attainment of water quality standards. This article considers legal responses to this pervasive problem. It explains why traditional legal measures have been ineffective, and it evaluates several recent innovations piloted in the northeastern United States and potentially applicable across the nation. Specifically, the innovations involve using impervious cover TMDLs, residual designation authority, and collective permitting. More generally, the innovations involve transferring regulatory focus from end-of-the-pipe to landscape-based controls. I conclude that the innovations, while raising …


The Truth About "Right To Work" Laws, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2011

The Truth About "Right To Work" Laws, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

There are many misconceptions about “right-to-work” laws. This sounds like it would be a plus for working people. However, this term is misleading, and a distortion of the reality underlying it. Despite its name, right-to-work laws do not guarantee anyone a job, protect against unfair firing, guarantee equitable wages, or decent working conditions. By undermining unions and the ability of labor and management to bargain freely, right-to-work laws weaken the best job security protection workers have -- the union contract. Maine has rejected such a law a number of times in the past, including a 1948 referendum in which state …


Who Pays And Who Benefits: 21st Century Tax Reform For Maine, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Who Pays And Who Benefits: 21st Century Tax Reform For Maine, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Most people do not enjoy paying taxes, which are the primary source of revenue for governments at all levels, but most people also probably agree that ultimately, some kind of taxation is necessary. However, public support for taxes is greatly influenced by perceptions of whether tax systems are fair or equitable, and these perceptions are unfortunately not always based on factual information or clear understanding. The ongoing debate over Maine’s latest attempt at tax reform is no exception.


Responsible Contractors Help Build Thriving Communities, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Responsible Contractors Help Build Thriving Communities, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

What is responsible contractor language, and why is it important? Public construction projects are often costly undertakings. In recent years, municipalities and schools are increasingly using responsible contractor policies to "set certain minimum employment standards" for bidding on construction work. In response to this trend, responsible contractor (RC) language is being developed and used to provide needed reform in the construction contract bidding process. According to a recent study of responsible contractor reforms, the public policy goal of these reforms is to "ensure that all contracts for public works are awarded to reputable, responsible finns that have the qualifications, resources …


The Minimum Wage: Two Generations Of Neglect Add Up, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

The Minimum Wage: Two Generations Of Neglect Add Up, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Although a three-step raise in the Federal minimum wage that ended in July, 2009 is projected to generate a total of $10.4 billion in increased consumer spending,2 a survey of the wage situation in the U.S. today suggests that recent raises to the minimum wage are inadequate. Both Maine and the nation have been plagued by serious wage stagnation for many years. The overextended credit that helped fuel the recent economic crisis was exacerbated by what has been called a “collapse of hourly wage growth” by the Economic Policy Institute. In the longer term, the inflation-adjusted value of the minimum …


Update On Labor's Demographics, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2010

Update On Labor's Demographics, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

As in years past, unionization levels have continued to vary widely according to demographic and occupational characteristics of the U.S. workforce, as well as geographic region. The unionization level of the total employed U.S. wage and salary workforce is one measure. However, in order to obtain a more balanced perspective, it is also important to consider the specific levels of union membership in both public and private sector areas of employment, which play a significant role in the U.S. economy. Using data compiled and supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, this briefing paper provides a statistical summary of unionization …


The Maine Women's Advocate (2010 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2010

The Maine Women's Advocate (2010 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Towards Voluntary Interoperable Open Access Licenses For The Global Earth Observation System Of Systems (Geoss), Harlan J. Onsrud, Bastian Van Loenen Jan 2010

Towards Voluntary Interoperable Open Access Licenses For The Global Earth Observation System Of Systems (Geoss), Harlan J. Onsrud, Bastian Van Loenen

Spatial Information Science and Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Access to earth observation data has become critically important for the wellbeing of society. A major impediment to achieving widespread sharing of earth observation data is lack of an operational web-wide system that is transparent and consistent in allowing users to legally access and use the earth observations of others without seeking permission from data contributors or investigating terms of usage on a case-by-case basis. This article explores approaches to supplying a license-based system to overcome this impediment in the context of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of the explored approaches and …


Putting Equity Back In Reverse Mortgages: Helping Seniors Retire With Dignity, Andrew C. Helman Jan 2010

Putting Equity Back In Reverse Mortgages: Helping Seniors Retire With Dignity, Andrew C. Helman

Maine Policy Review

Policymakers can help some seniors age in place through policies to strengthen private-sector reverse mortgages. In reverse mortgages, individuals who may be “house rich but cash poor” can use their home’s equity to receive regular income or get money through a credit line. Andrew Helman argues that state legislatures can help seniors avoid the “tricks and traps” of reverse mortgages by estab­lishing programs in which lenders who agree to play by rules that ensure the safety and security of such mortgages are placed on a “preferred” list for seniors seeking a loan. He observes that laying the groundwork now can …


Requiem For An Industry, Charles A. Scontras Jul 2009

Requiem For An Industry, Charles A. Scontras

Bureau of Labor Education

In April, the Lewiston City Council voted to demolish the massive Bates Mill No. 5, the last component of the original textile giant, dating from 1850, that is owned by the city. The decision graphically symbolizes the burial of a textile industry. When the textile mills arrived in Maine, public officials viewed them as cathedrals of prosperity and progress, while workers welcomed the opportunity to earn a livelihood. Labor reformers, however, often viewed them as corporate entities that regimented life and work, describing them as "tombs for the living," "living hells," and "prison factories." Over the years, labor made sporadic …


Stretching The Law Ii: The Misclassification Of Employees As Independent Contractors, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2009

Stretching The Law Ii: The Misclassification Of Employees As Independent Contractors, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

The misclassification of many employees as “independent contractors” (ICs) is problematic in a number of industries and employment situations. An earlier paper by the Bureau of Labor Education (BLE) found widespread violations of IC classification in the state’s construction industry. This paper provides a broader context for this issue with a discussion of the legal climate nationally.


Fair Pay And Fair Contracting: Maine's Prevailing Wage Laws, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2009

Fair Pay And Fair Contracting: Maine's Prevailing Wage Laws, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Roads, schools, bridges, government buildings, public hospitals – these are all examples of public works projects. Most states in the U.S., following the lead of the federal government, require that workers in such construction projects must be paid the “prevailing wage” for their occupation, industry and local geographic area. There is substantial research showing that prevailing wage (P.W.) laws can be an important element of economic development and economic stimulus plans, benefiting states, communities, businesses, workers and taxpayers in several ways. Prevailing wage laws: • can benefit communities, states and taxpayers by helping to ensure the most reliable, productive and …


The Maine Women's Advocate (2009 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2009

The Maine Women's Advocate (2009 - Winter), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


The Maine Women's Advocate (2009 - Summer), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2009

The Maine Women's Advocate (2009 - Summer), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Liability For Spatial Data Quality, Harlan J. Onsrud Jan 2009

Liability For Spatial Data Quality, Harlan J. Onsrud

Spatial Information Science and Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Liability in data, products, and services related to geographic information systems, spatial data infrastructure, location based services and web mapping services, is complicated by the complexities and uncertainties in liability for information system products and services generally, as well as by legal theory uncertainties surrounding liability for maps. Each application of geospatial technologies to a specific use may require integration of different types of data from multiple sources, assessment of attributes, adherence to accuracy and fitness-for-use requirements, and selection from among different analytical processing methods. All of these actions may be fraught with possible misjudgments and errors. A variety of …


Restoring The Right To Organize: Impacts Of The Employee Free Choice Act, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Oct 2008

Restoring The Right To Organize: Impacts Of The Employee Free Choice Act, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

There has been growing controversy over a proposed new labor relations law called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), also known as the “card check” bill. This briefing paper provides an overview of the Employee Free Choice Act, its context and rationale, and its implications for both workers’ abilities to organize and democratic rights in the workplace.


Hot Jobs Update: 2008 Outlook For Maine's Women Workers, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2008

Hot Jobs Update: 2008 Outlook For Maine's Women Workers, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

This paper on the occupational outlook for Maine’s women workers is intended as an update to the Bureau of Labor Education’s previous briefing papers on this topic. These earlier papers showed that despite many upbeat analyses of the best “hot new jobs” that will be available to women workers in the next decade, the largest occupations available to women workers in Maine will continue to be primarily jobs with low wages and little economic security. What do more recent data suggest about these issues?


Attaining Occupational Health And Safety Through Education, Engineering, And Enforcement, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2008

Attaining Occupational Health And Safety Through Education, Engineering, And Enforcement, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Every year, many workers in Maine and elsewhere in the United States are injured or killed on the job, or develop work-related illnesses. While most injured workers may have access to Workers’ Compensation benefits, such compensation does not make up for extended and sometimes permanent pain and disability. Clearly it is more sensible for employers and workers to focus on the prevention of occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses than to deal with the consequences after the fact.


Privatization Pitfalls Update, 2008, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Apr 2008

Privatization Pitfalls Update, 2008, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

Policymakers at the local, state, and federal government levels often struggle to balance the imperatives of providing necessary public services with the constraints of shrinking funds to pay for services such as transportation, prisons, and human services. Among the many possible solutions public entities may consider is the strategy of privatization, defined as “any process that is aimed at shifting functions and responsibilities, in whole or in part, from the government to the private sector through such activities as contracting out or asset sales.” This briefing paper is an update to an earlier publication by the Bureau of Labor Education …


A Maine Guide To Employment Law, Gabrielle Berube, James Davitt Jan 2008

A Maine Guide To Employment Law, Gabrielle Berube, James Davitt

Bureau of Labor Education

This second edition of A Maine Guide to Employment Law is both a continuation and evolution of five previous editions of A Workers’ Guide to Labor Law, first published by the Bureau of Labor Education in 1974. This present work, representing the collective efforts and contributions of many of the Bureau’s staff—past and present, seeks to retain the readability and clarity that has been the hallmark of past editions. Our continuing objective is to provide important information on employee rights, protections, and responsibilities at the workplace or site, in easy-to-understand language.


The Maine Women's Advocate (2008 - Summer), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2008

The Maine Women's Advocate (2008 - Summer), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.


Recognizing And Preventing Hazards In The Construction Industry, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2007

Recognizing And Preventing Hazards In The Construction Industry, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

By the nature of the work, the construction industry is very hazardous and dangerous. These dangers are multiplied still further when workers and supervisors employed in this industry are working at manufacturing sites such as pulp and paper mills. This handbook deals with the following hazards confronting workers and employers in construction, which have been identified by OSHA as priority areas for hazard recognition and prevention: • fall hazards on the same level or from a higher to a lower one; • being struck by or against any hazardous materials, equipment, or vehicles; • getting caught on, caught in, or …


Stretching The Law, Stressing The State Misclassified Workers In Maine's Construction Industry, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine Jan 2007

Stretching The Law, Stressing The State Misclassified Workers In Maine's Construction Industry, Bureau Of Labor Education. University Of Maine

Bureau of Labor Education

The classification of independent contractors (ICs) is problematic in a number of industries and employment situations. This paper is intended as a survey of IC issues as they affect the construction industry in Maine. Construction companies have recourse to hourly labor for much of their work requirements, but like many other businesses, they also often employ independent contractors for some parts of their various building contracts. There is considerable evidence that these two job categories are being manipulated by some employers to bypass the legal intent of IC classification. A 2000 report produced for the U.S. Department of Labor found …


The Maine Women's Advocate (2007 - Fall), Maine Women's Lobby Staff Jan 2007

The Maine Women's Advocate (2007 - Fall), Maine Women's Lobby Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.