Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons^™

Should Kentucky Tax Professional Services As A Way To Raise Revenue? An Economic Analysis Of Possible Revenue Options, Meghan Mando

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Currently Kentucky is facing a budget deficit of $108 million dollars for the fiscal year 2010. As some lawmakers search for revenue options, one possibility is to consider a sales tax on professional services.

Professional services are considered any kind of service that requires skill, knowledge, reputation, ethics, and creativity. For the purpose of this study, medical services are not included in this category. Many of the services are infrequent, such as the services of an attorney or an accountant. A professional services tax could be used for both businesses and individuals, or could make businesses tax exempt. As of …

Providing Department Of Defense Support Domestically: A Study Of Cost Effectiveness, Meredith Howes

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Department of Defense is one of the highest costs to the United States government at any given time. However, as two foreign wars have been going on for nearly 10 years, the amount of resources needed is significantly higher than usual. This increase in required funds is necessary for military personnel salaries, military equipment, government personnel supporting the Department of Defense, along with support services provided by private military contractors. There have been several recent studies reviewing the effectiveness of contractors on the battlefield, but most overlook those supporting the warfighter at home. While there are many different factors …

A Study Of The Effects Of Budget-Balancing Practices And Fiscal Policies On State Fiscal Health, Candice Schultheis

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

During times of economic recessions, many states throughout the U.S. may experience budget pressures that impact their overall fiscal health. Kentucky, in particular, has been faced with structural budget imbalances, declining revenue receipts, and spending reductions. Although economic conditions greatly affect states’ abilities to maintain balanced budgets, other factors may contribute to the variation among states’ financial conditions. This study assesses the effect that budget-balancing strategies, processes, and policies have on states’ fiscal health, as measured by state fiscal peril scores reported by the Pew Center on the States and year-end budget balances as a percentage of expenditures estimated by …

Disability Preparedness: Availability Of Ada Compliant Emergency Shelters Across Pennsylvania, Lisa J. Peterson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Since the events of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina, the field and research associated with emergency preparedness have grown substantially. Despite the positive contributions of research, problems relating to the use of emergency shelters during the disasters have surfaced. Through anecdotal evidence and subsequent research, it was soon discovered that the needs of those with disabilities were not adequately addressed at many sites. Many potential residents were turned away at shelters due to their disability, or if allowed in, were forced to live in sites with barriers that could hinder activities of daily living.

To address concerns, emergency management officials …

Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling: An Analysis Of The Households Participating In The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program In Louisville, Travis Weber

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Problem Statement

Since 2006 the number of housing foreclosures has increased significantly. This increase is taking a toll on many communities across the nation, including Louisville, Kentucky. The percentage of delinquent mortgage loans in the Commonwealth of Kentucky has risen sharply, jumping nearly 3.5% since 2006, while the percentage of delinquent loans entering foreclosure has risen just as sharply according to the Kentucky Office of the Courts. The number of foreclosed properties proceeding to Master Commissioner sale has more than tripled between 2002 and 2008, to over 3000 foreclosures scheduled to take place. The number of foreclosures is negatively impacting …

The Makeup And Utilization Of University Student Unions: A Comparative Analysis, Ashley N. Wineki

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The University of Kentucky’s Top 20 Business Plan established a list of goals the university must meet in order to become a top 20 research institution by the year 2020. The University of Kentucky Student Center houses student programming and facilities that impact student involvement and retention, both of which are mandated to increase in order to reach the Top 20 goal.

I conducted this research in order to determine how the University of Kentucky Student Center is utilized by the campus and how, if at all, it could improve to better serve the student body and campus. Survey data …

Growth And Stability Of Local Government Taxes: An Analysis Of The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’S Tax Revenue Portfolio, Nathan Phelps

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Adequate tax revenues are critical for a government to operate and maintain the delivery of services that its citizens depend. The stability of these revenues is necessary for a government to accurately forecast future revenue growth and to ensure that balanced-budget requirements are met. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) depends upon five primary tax sources for nearly 95% of its tax revenue. These taxes comprise the city’s tax revenue portfolio and include the business net profits tax, employee withholdings tax, franchise tax, insurance premiums tax, and the property tax. Each of tax possesses unique characteristics that dictate their susceptibility …

Sustainability Significance: An Analysis Of A Community Assessment Survey Distributed By The Bluegrass Regional Planning Council, Kyle Scott

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

PURPOSE:

To analyze information gathered from community leaders and representatives to assist the Bluegrass Regional Planning Council (BRPC) in understanding how the policy issue of sustainable development is prioritized and perceived locally and regionally.

BACKGROUND:

The BRPC conducted a survey as a response to growing interest in the planning community involving sustainable development and more specifically the adoption of sustainable development code. Sustainable development is being defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”1 A. How do public officials and other community representatives prioritize sustainability among other policy …

A Participant Model: Predictive Medical And Behavioral Factors Of Prostate Cancer Screening Attendees At Markey, Shana L. Steinbach

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Problem Statement

The Prostate Cancer Screening Program at the Markey Cancer Center co-sponsors prostate cancer screenings with the Prostate Cancer Education Council. All participation, including African-American attendance, has decreased 38% from years 2006 to 2008 and program managers are seeking insight to improve program participation by acquiring knowledge of behavioral and medical characteristics that may influence screening attendance. Because of the higher incidence of prostate cancer in African-American men (ACS, 2008), a specific program goal is also to increase screening attendance for this minority population.

Research Strategy

Questions that assess participant behavior, personal, and family medical history are analyzed to …

The Implementation Of The Kentucky Transitions: A Money Follows The Person Demonstration Grant Program, Amie Goodin

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Kentucky Transitions is a Kentucky Medicaid program that is funded primarily by a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The purpose of this program is to transition individuals residing in long-term care facilities back into the community, where they will continue to receive health, social, and other benefits but do so in an approved residential setting. Individuals living in the community may experience higher quality of life and the increased ability to choose how and when they receive services, while Medicaid reaps the projected financial benefit of providing less-expensive community alternatives for care.

Though Kentucky Transitions operates …

Medication Therapy Management: Is It Worth Medicare’S Time?, Jennifer White

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Problem:

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is a service that a pharmacist can provide to any of their patients, but mostly to those who are either high risk patients for adverse events or those who are new to chronic medication therapy. As Medicare Part D has begun to cover MTM services, more and more pharmacists and other clinicians are becoming providers of MTM.

The intent of MTM is to decrease adverse events and healthcare costs to both the patient and the third party payer. In realizing the benefits of MTM, it is important to assess these outcomes to see if clinical, …

The Relative Effect Of Alternative Regulatory Actions: Benchmarks For The Compliance And Discipline Process In Different Jurisdictions And Occupations, Robert J. Mcatee

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The compliance processes of many regulatory agencies have recently come under close scrutiny. The media have portrayed the compliance and discipline processes of many regulatory agencies as being inefficient and not timely in many instances. The Council of Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR) intends to assist regulatory agencies to do their work in a more efficient and timely manner by providing them with adequate and helpful information.

In the spirit of CLEAR’s mission, a collaborative effort was embarked upon by CLEAR staff and leadership, professionals with experience in the compliance and discipline process along with myself to produce a survey …

Employability After Substance Abuse Treatment In Kentucky: An Analysis Of The Kentucky Treatment Outcome Study, Steven Scrivner

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Public funding of substance abuse treatment (SAT) in Kentucky dates back to the 1950s when legislators sought to curb the problem of alcoholism through legislative acts. The definition of substance abuse expanded through the years to include other substances such as cocaine, marijuana and opiates.

Employment after SAT is a critically important outcome for policymakers to consider when allocating funds because it assists in social re-integration, helps to prevent relapse and promotes economic self-sufficiency. Because of this, employment is an important factor to consider when assessing the impact SAT has on its clients (participants).

The Kentucky Alcohol and Other Drug …

Manchester Center: A Comparative Analysis Of Similar Local Nonprofits Using Financial Ratios, Brittani Wilson

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Manchester Center is a nonprofit agency located in Lexington, KY whose mission is "to enrich lives in our neighborhood through educational, recreational, and social activities." A project team from the University of Kentucky studied the Center's finances, internal business processes, employee development, and services to customers to develop a balanced scorecard. It became evident to the team that the center was strained financially and additional funds would be beneficial to the organization However, before any suggestions could be made it was important to determine where the Manchester Center stood financially compared to similar nonprofit organizations in the Lexington area. …

Property Tax Revenue Decline In The State Of California And The Implications: An Examination Of Selected Local Governments In The State Of California, Ryan M. Mauldin

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Center for Responsible Lending projects California local governments to experience a $107 billion dollar decrease in home values and taxable property rolls as a result of subprime mortgage related foreclosures [Lending, 2008]. Due to Proposition 13, property taxes do not account for a substantial portion of local government revenue. They do, however, constitute 53% of statewide K-14 funding, as stipulated by Proposition 98 (Education Revenue Augmentation Fund or ERAF). As a result of ERAF, local governments (defined as counties, cities, schools, and special districts) receive less money through a complex fund shifting process that offsets statewide general fund spending. …

A Formative Evaluation Of Kentucky’S Environmental Compliance Assistance Program, Bonnie Wathen

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Kentucky’s Department for Environmental Protection’s Division of Compliance Assistance has the Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (CAP). CAP is a relatively new program that has had little to no evaluation and measurement. However, with limited state resources to be distributed to departments, it is imperative that programs be able to justify their existence. Due to this fact, I chose to evaluate the CAP for my capstone project.

Because inadequate data on outcomes is available at this time, I was unable to conduct a traditional summative evaluation or include any statistical analysis. Instead I chose to conduct a formative, or process, evaluation …

Business Improvement Districts: Should Lexington Establish One?, Melissa A. Hagan

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Downtown districts are falling victim to surges of new development increasingly taking place outside the city as people seek to escape fast‐paced city life for a more peaceful life in the suburbs. As people move to the suburbs, they either take the businesses with them or the businesses fail to maintain profitability in empty downtowns. Downtown Lexington has been no exception. The recent developments of Hamburg Place and, more recent the developments around Fayette Mall have attracted even more business owners away from downtown.

A new implementation approach for revitalization is gaining momentum, as downtowns are introducing policies that enable …

Redevelopment, Property Values And The Neighborhood Life Cycle: An Impact Analysis Of Downtown Lexington Redevelopment, Brett Anthony Rudy

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Over the past century, downtown regions have seen a great deal of transition, from powerhouse city centers to dilapidated slums. Downtown can be the hub of a city’s entire economic and cultural life, but it can also be the stigma of a city’s problems. It is easily one of the most dynamic regions of a city. But why do these regions fail? I contend there are forces at work, which lead to the failure of a downtown region, but there are also equal, if not more powerful forces that can lead a bring a city center back from the brink. …

State Corporate Tax Policy: Is Tax Competition The Main Determinant?, Gabriel Ramón Serna

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In the past few decades state corporate income tax policy and coordination/harmonization of corporate income taxes have been regularly discussed in the tax policy literature. The reason for this level of attention is that capital is assumed to be highly mobile across nations or unions with multiple jurisdictions with differential corporate tax rates (Bucovetsky, 1991; Cnossen, 2003; Frey & Eichenberger, 1996; Gordon, 1983; Isard, 1990; Keen & Marchand, 1997). Further, much of the literature focuses on states’ “race to the bottom” in terms of corporate income taxation or incentives to base capital in their jurisdictions, and the tendency for this …

Evaluating The Healthy States Initiative Policy Forums, Jessica Harmon

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Since 2005, The Council of State Governments (CSG) has participated in a cooperative agreement funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called the Healthy States Initiative. The initiative promotes public health by providing information resources to state legislators through publications and public health forums. CSG is interested in information about the impact of the public health forums on state legislators. More specifically, they would like to know if the forums have encouraged the participants to produce public health legislation, to support funding for public health projects, and to work closely with colleagues and various groups to improve …

Public Policy And Market Reality: Analyzing The Unfunded Liability In The Kentucky Non-Hazardous Employees' Retirement System, Kelly Dudley

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In 2006, an issue of serious concern to state legislatures was the long-term security of the defined benefits that state and local public pension plans promise to current and future retirees (Snell, 2006). Public pension systems are growing in terms of members and the benefits they offer to their members. Part of this group includes the estimated 77 million baby-boomers who will be living the next 20 to 30 years in retirement (Wharton, 2006). These dynamic changes are raising the burden public pension plans place on government operating budgets. Expecting a large number of their employees to retire, public administrators …

Process Review Of The Final Acceptance For Federal-Aid Highway Projects In Kentucky, Michael M. Loyselle

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Federal funds for highway construction projects must comply with federal and state regulations. In Kentucky, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) with the assistance of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administers the federal-aid highway program. FHWA and KYTC ensure quality of highway projects by inspections of activities conforming to plans, specifications and cost estimates; as well as with the testing of materials used in the project.

During the last five years, an emphasis stemming from reports of the US DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) and US General Accountability Office (GAO) related to the financial processes in place to administer the …

Operation Unite: A Qualitative Analysis Identifying Critical Factors For Implementation, Crystal D. Pryor

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

UNITE is an acronym meaning Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. It reflects the three-pronged, comprehensive approach deemed necessary to combating substance abuse in Kentucky Fifth Congressional District. Of Kentucky’s 120 counties, 24 of them do not have an organized regional drug task force. Fifteen of these counties with no active drug task force are represented in the Bluegrass Area Development District’s region. Current social and political perceptions across Kentucky recognize Operation UNITE efforts as largely successful. The evaluation responded to the following research questions: What factors lead to success in Kentucky’s Operation UNITE? Are these factors transferable in treating …

Do Per Capita Expenditures Affect The Quality Of State Government Management?, Rachael D. Putnam

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In recent years, an increase in government accountability has come about in American society. The debate began about the consumer business model of government, with citizens demanding results, not just output, because most people viewed government as inefficient and ineffective. As a response, Vice President Gore National Performance Review endorsed the Government Performance and Results Act (1993) which required federal agencies to have “objective, quantifiable and measurable” goals into the federal government budget process (Kravchuk and Schack, 1996, p.348).

This, in turn, led the way to the Government Performance Project (GPP), a study orchestrated by the Governing magazine, in cooperation …

An Impact Study Of Local Historic District Overlays On Property Values In Fayette County, Ky, Suzann Vogel

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Beginning with Fayette County’s first historic district in 1958, the process of assigning historic zoning status to qualifying neighborhoods was seen as a viable option for preserving local built cultural resources. More than a communicative symbol, H-1 districting limits dramatic exterior changes and the demolition of structures certified as contributing to the unique character of Lexington, KY. Guided by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Historic Preservation and Board of Architectural Review, the program currently encompasses 1,851 buildings over 14 districts.

In order to carry out the goal of preservation, historic districting in Lexington is applied in a blanketing …

Evaluating The Implementation Of The Kentucky Drug Endangered Children Training Network, Ramona Gabbard

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

In late 2004 the Kentucky Drug Endangered Children Alliance was created to bring attention to the methamphetamine problem in Kentucky and coordinate the efforts of many different agencies. The Training Network is part of the Alliance and seeks to educate the various service providers that may come into contact with the child victims of caregiver meth abuse and production. The Training Network estimates it has provided training to almost ten thousand individuals in the three years it has been at work.

My evaluation of the implementation of this training effort focused on the type and number of participants and whether …

Senate Bill (Sb) 172: Governance Of Nutrition In Kentucky Public Schools: Implementation Analysis Final Report, Bill Brumbach

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This report is intended to evaluate the implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 172 in Kentucky's public schools. This law requires that all schools in Kentucky implement strict nutrition standards that apply to all foods sold during the school day. This report highlights the different methods used by selected schools in implementing the requirements in SB 172. In performing my analysis, I traveled to different schools in central and southeastern Kentucky to assess how these select schools were meeting the requirements of the law. Site visits allowed me to discuss implementation strategies with school administrators and aided in my understanding of …

Public Provision Of Service For The Elderly: An Empirical Analysis Of County-Level Senior Service Property Tax Levies, Brigitte Blom Ramsey

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Last year the baby boom generation began turning 60. Consequently, the number of senior citizens is expected to double by the year 2030. On average, a person reaching the age of 60 can expect to live an additional 22 years. (NCHS, 2003) Along with increased life expectancy comes a greater probability for chronic illness, physical impairment and loss of independence. Of those 85 and older, 55% will need some type of long-term care or personal assistance. (CBO, 2004)

A recent collaborative study, “The Maturing of America: Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population”, notes that less than half of …

Do Property Assessors In Kentucky Value Residential Property At Fair Market Value?, Brian Smith

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Assessors are required, as mandated by the Kentucky State Constitution and KRS 132.690, to assess property at 100 percent of fair market value. Fair market value is defined as the price a seller would expect to receive in an open and competitive market. Evidence from data and analysis in this paper indicates that property is under-assessed by approximately 25 percent. Though urban areas assess at a slightly higher rate, this is offset by rural areas, which do a significantly poorer job. This has important implications for local communities in Kentucky that depend on property tax revenue in order to provide …

Does The Incidence Of Public Official Liability Claims Increase In Years Following A Mayoral Election?, Laurel A. Curtis

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Elected and appointed public officials at every level of government face a growing number of lawsuits relating to countless activities such as zoning, budgets, administration, distributing permits and more. Public official (PO) liability claims alleging failure to promote employees, discrimination, and sexual harassment continue to skyrocket. It is critical to the vitality of American cities to protect officials who have chosen public service so that they can continue to focus on serving their communities.

The Kentucky League of Cities Insurance Services (KLCIS), a member-owned insurance pool of Kentucky municipalities, offers general liability, public official liability, law enforcement liability, automobile coverage …