Public Affairs Commons^™

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1977, Vol. 05, No. 04, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Socioeconomic Status and Educational Expenditures in Nebraska," by Robert Henningsen.

In the study of political science it is easy to become preoccupied with the descriptions of political institutions, behaviors and processes. Therefore, political scientists have frequently overlooked the importance of socioeconomic forces in shaping public policy. There seems to be no great mystery in accounting for public policy by looking inside the political system. However, the relationship between socioeconomic forces and public policy is less clearly understood.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1977, Vol. 05, No. 03, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Economic Indicators of the Metropolitan Areas of the Midcontinent Region."

With the cooperation of the Economic Development Council of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Applied Urban Research in 1973 began to monitor economic and demographic data for six subareas of the greater Omaha area. In 1975 the economic data collection was expanded to include a total of 25 metropolitan areas located in the eleven-state Midcontinent Region. This report expands and updates data CAUR has published previously.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1977, Vol. 05, No. 02, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Metropolitan Omaha Condominium Directory, 1977," by Tom McCormick.

Although the terms condominium and townhome are commonly used interchangeably, they refer to related and yet distinct concepts. Condominium refers to a title concept under which the owner of a domicile holds title to the living space but not to the land surrounding that space or the land upon which the living space is situated . The land is jointly owned by members of the owners' association who share the responsibility for maintenance, improvement, and control of common areas. The condominium concept can …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1978, Vol. 06, No. 01, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Property Taxation: A Case for Reform," by Ralph H. Todd.

National public opinion polls taken annually during the past five years by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations have consistently and decisively shown the most unpopular of all taxes to be the property tax.¹ Why is the property tax so unpopular?

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1977, Vol. 05, No. 01, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Publications

This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "A Demographic Analysis of the Omaha Jewish Community" by Murray Frost.

The 1970 Census asked no questions about religious identification and therefore a religious community must make its own studies to determine the characteristics of its population. A study conducted for the Omaha Jewish Federation by the Center for Applied Urban Research provided this data for the Omaha Jewish community.

This report presents data from a ten-page questionnaire mailed in Fall 1975 to all households on the "community list" maintained by the Omaha Jewish Federation. Responses were received from 1,165 of …

Multicultural Education: A Functional Bibliography For Teachers, James Giese

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This bibliography has been prepared to accompany In Praise of Diversity: A Resource Book for Multicultural Education, published by Teacher Corps and the Association of Teacher Educators. In Praise of Diversity brings together in concentrated form information about a number of ethnic and racial groups in the United States and discusses basic issues in multicultural education. This bibliography is also being offered for use by teachers in order to recommend wider sources of printed and audio-visual materials.

In Praise Of Diversity: Multicultural Classroom Applications, Gloria Grant, Floyd T. Waterman

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In Praise of Diversity: Multicultural Classroom Applications was written for the classroom teacher who is interested in implementing multicultural education. The book includes 51 activities written in the following subject areas: Social Studies, Language Arts, Science/Math and Art. Included within the activities are two units. A mini-unit on "Understanding Feelings" will assist the student in examining himself/herself and his/her relationships with others; and a unit entitled "Immigration and Migration: Voluntary and Forced" will provide the teacher with an illustrative procedure to incorporate ideas and materials from the Vignettes in the companion document, In Praise of Diversity: A Resource Book for …

In Praise Of Diversity: A Resource Book For Multicultural Education, Milton J. Gold, Carl A. Grant

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The unique diversity of our cultural heritage and background is slowly but surely being recognized as a valuable asset for our country, one to be cherished and shared. But the very richness and diversity of our heritage make it difficult for the classroom teacher or the college professor to acquire an understanding of the many groups who have contributed so much to the development of our nation.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 12, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Economic Status in Midcontinent Metropolitan Areas, Third Quarter 1976," by Ralph H. Todd.

During the third quarter of 1976, Midcontinent metropolitan areas experienced the most universal decline in unemployment rates since the monitoring system was initiated for the fourth quarter of 1975. September unemployment rates in all 25 areas were lower than the United States rate, which declined from 8.1 percent during September of 1975 to 7.4 during September of 1976. Only Fargo, Rapid City and Cheyenne experienced unemployment rates higher than during September of 1975. The increase in average weekly …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 10, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Publications

This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Hospital Facilities in Modcontinent Metropolitan Areas."

As the costs of medical care continue to rise, c1t1zens demand the best possible hospital facilities even while demanding the most economical hospital management. To determine the extent to which hospital facilities have kept pace with needs and to comp;Jre facilities in Midcontinent metropolitan areas with national averages, three factors will be considered: a) the relation between an area's hospital facilities and its population, b) the occupancy rate of an area's hospital facilities and c) changes in these factors between 1971 and 1975. Selected indicators …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 09, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Regional Economic Indicators, Second Quarter: Regional Economic Conditions Continue to Improve."

In most Mid-Continent metropolitan areas increases were recorded in building permits, air passenger traffic, department store sales, employment and average weekly earnings of production workers in the second quarter of 1976 compared to the same period of 1975.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 08, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Local Economic Indicators, Second Quarter, 1976: Omaha's Economy Expands Steadily."

The first half of 1976 was a period of steady economic growth in Omaha. Among the strongest indicators of economic advancement are those in construction activity. The number of single-family building permits increased from 385 units during the first quarter of 1976 to 453 units during the second quarter of 1976. Multi-family permits were up over both the first quarter of 1976 and the second quarter of 1975. The total number of nonresidential permits increased from 151 units valued at 7.9 …

Elementary And Secondary Public Education A Declining Enterprise?, Ralph H. Todd

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The 1976-77 operating budget of $78.9 million for the Omaha Public Schools represents an increase of $7.4 million from 1975-76. The current budget for the Westside Community Schools is $ 12.2 million, up $ 1.1 million from the past school year. This article attempts to provide a framework within which voters and public officials can examine the current operating budgets of Omaha Public and Westside Community Schools and more appropriately consider their implications. Many decisions, because of the complexity and. the urgency of the problems with which they deal, are subject to varying degrees of public misunderstanding. This is particularly …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 07, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Publications

This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Omaha's Central Business District."

As Omaha is the dominant City of the metropolitan area, the Central Business District (CBD) is the focus of Omaha. Historically it has enjoyed this distinction by virtue of its location and by the fact it contains the area's concentration of government, office, finance, cultural, entertainment, and general commercial activities. As Omaha has undergone great change in recent years so has the Central Business District. This report summarizes the findings of a six month study which had as its primary purpose that of determining the impact of …

Land Value Taxation: Impact Analysis On Omaha/Douglas County, Nebraska, Gary Carlson

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The present property tax has been under attack by home owners, business and industry. Many studies have shown the present property tax to be the most unpopular tax levied by government. This tax once levied by all governments including the federal government is now almost exclusively used by local governments with other levels of government adopting sales and income taxes as replacements for the property tax. While other levels of governments have abandoned the property tax it currently seems that the local property tax will be used by local governments as their main revenue source for quite some time in …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 06, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Publications

This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Mid-Continent City Crime Rates: A Multivariate Analysis," by Ralph H. Todd.

Preliminary crime data (1975) provided the basis for analysis of variations in major crime among cities of the MidContinent Region. The Uniform Crime Reports measure seven Crime Index Offenses: murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. Remaining criminal offenses were not considered in this study. Crime rates per 100,000 population were compiled using the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and current population estimates (Table 1 ).

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 05, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Regional Economic Recovery Rates Vary."

Available information about employment, construction activity, wages, telephone customers and department store sales indicate economic recovery in most of the 25 urban areas of the Mid-Continent Region. There are, however, wide differences in the relative economic strength of the recovery among the areas.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 04, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Housing and Business Investment in Nebraska."

The areas studied by the Center for Applied Urban Research are identified in Maps 1, 2' and 3. Omaha and Lincoln study areas conform to the neighborhoods receiving or eligible for first-year HUD Community Development funding. Five non· metropolitan communities, Beatrice, Lexington, Broken Bow, Columbus and Hartington, were selected in consultation with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development as being representative of communities with 50,000 or less population.

Housing And Business Investment In Nebraska, David W. Hinton, William B. Rogers

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Editor's Note: The 1975 Legislative Session of the Nebraska Legislature recognized the need to analyze all available options for dealing with the problems of urban redevelopment: lack of adequate housing, revitalization of older business districts, and possible incentives for investment in older neighborhoods in Nebraska. Accordingly, Resolution 53 directed the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee to study a) causes of urban decay, b) current Federal and State programs in urban redevelopment, c) laws and programs of other states that encourage redevelopment, d) incentives to encourage urban redevelopment and e) needs for changes in Nebraska law. The study here summarized was completed …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 03, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Intra-Urban Migration and Omaha's Westward Expansion," by Paul S. T. Lee.

While there has been increasing concern about Omaha's westward expansion and future growth pattern, there remains a lack of information about the extent and speed of this outward expansion for the past several years and the socio-economic factors that might have caused it.¹

This information as well as relative changes of population among all sections of Omaha is of prime importance in city-wide public service planning and in formulating future city growth policy. This study presents findings from an …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 02, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Publications

This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Regional and Local Economic Indicators, 1975: The Mid-Content Region."

The metropolitan areas of the Mid-Continent Region experienced a sharp economic downturn during 1975.¹ Double· digit inflation of 1974 ebbed but unemployment rates were on the rise. By mid-year 1975 there was noticeable improvement in construction activity, sales, and the level of nonfarm wage and salary employment. Quarterly and annual economic data on the regional urban economies for 1974-1975 are presented in Table 1.

Housing And Business Investment In Nebraska's Non-Metropolitan Communities And Declining Urban Neighborhoods, Ralph H. Todd, David W. Hinton, Paul S. T. Lee, Thomas C. Moss, William B. Rogers

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This study focuses on one subject area of the Urban Affairs Committee's charge: housing and business investment in Nebraska's declining urban neighborhoods and non-metropolitan communities. From its beginning the study has had two primary objectives:

First, to ascertain the demand for housing and business investment funds in the declining urban neighborhoods of Nebraska's two major metropolitan cities, Omaha and Lincoln, and in the State's non-metropolitan communities; and the perceptions of homeowners, renters, landlords and businessmen in these communities and neighborhoods regarding the availability to them of such funds.

Second, to identify factors which discourage or hamper housing and business investment …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1976, Vol. 04, No. 01, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "The Changing Distribution of Omaha's Office Space," by Armin K. Ludwig.

During the first half of the twentieth century in most American cities the journey between home and work tended to increase. This was especially true for white collar office workers and managers whose rising incomes permitted not only purchase of new homes in the suburbs but also purchase and operation of automobiles to ease the longer journey to work. In most cases this journey took them to the Central Business District (CBD) or financial center of the city. As these …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 12, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Regional Urban Economic Indicators."

Beginning with this issue of the Review, CAUR will compile and report quarterly economic data pertaining to 25 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas {SMSA's) located in the 11-state Mid-Continent Region. The states included in this Region are Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. Comparative statistics on {1) average weekly income of production workers, {2) non-agricultural wage and salary employment, {3) employment in the construction industry, and {4) unemployment are presented in Table I for each of the 25 SMSA's.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 11, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Roll-Call Cohesion of the Omaha Metropolitan Area Delegations in the 1975 Session of the Nebraska State Legislature," by Murray Frost.

What is the roll·call behavior of the Omaha Metropolitan Area delegation in the 1975 session of the Nebraska State Legislature? Specifically:

1. How much cohesion does the Omaha Metropolitan Area delegation exhibit on roll calls? To what extent does the delegation vote together as a group?

2. How often does each of the legislators vote with or against the delegation majority?

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 10, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "A Geographical Approach to Residential Construction Cost Structure," by Gary K. Higgs and William H. Cheek.

The single-family residence is generally the largest and most important purchase of any household unit. Those employed in building these residences also constitute a large proportion of the domestic construction industry and the unique emotional status of a home has made the residence construction and related industries one of the principal material economic indicators.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 09, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Education in Nebraska: Fifth Annual Report."

This report represents a compilation of the most recent data made available by governmental and nongovernmental sources. The report contains information on a wide variety of subjects, including school enrollments, student withdrawals, status and plans of high school and university graduates, and degrees conferred by the University of Nebraska System as well as other Omaha Area colleges and universities.

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 08, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Omaha Intra-Urban Demographic & Economic Indicators."

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 07, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Community Development Needs in Rural Nebraska: An Analysis of Preapplication for HUD Community Development Funds," by Thomas Moss and Michael O'Connor.

Many small communities in rural Nebraska are faced with a wide variety of community needs and an inadequate source of funds with which to meet these needs. This fact was made quite clear in this study of the pre-applications for Community Development funds which were recently submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development {HUD) by small communities in the State's rural areas outside the metropolitan regions of …

Review Of Applied Urban Research 1975, Vol. 03, No. 06, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

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This issue of Review of Applied Urban Research features "Taxing Services i Nebraska - A Revenue Forecast," by H. Wade German.

With the demand for state and local government services increasing at a rate greater than most present tax structures can accommodate, either additional resources must be shifted from the private to the public sector or public services must approach an upper bound. The recent statements from Mayor Zorinsky and Governor Exon highlight the potential fiscal difficulties in Nebraska.