Public Policy Final Project

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6.2 Final Project Submission

In Week Six, students will submit a packet with several components as described below. It is essential for students to submit a completed packet by Day 4 to allow for adequate time for peer review.
  1. Summary: Provide a summary of your project (2-3 pages)*
    1. Identify the organization you have selected. Provide background information on the organization, i.e. who and what interests it represents, its mission, history, etc.
    2. Summarize the policy proposal: what the legislation will do, what is the law now, and what are the proposed changes?
    3. What is the problem or problems the legislation is trying to address, how long has this problem been present (history of the problem), has the problem been addressed before by legislation (even in other states)? If yes, what was the outcome?
    4. Why is this issue important to this organization?
    5. What benefits will be derived from a potential change to the law in this area?
    6. Identify what, if any, state agency will be involved in this policy initiative. For instance, an initiative from the Tennessee Medical Association will likely involve the Department of Health. Does the organization need the support of the agency?
    7. Identify coalitions or other groups that might be interested in advocating for this initiative and those who would advocate against it. What are motivations to support or oppose?
  2. Strategy Outline: Provide an outline of the strategy you intend to employ to ensure successful adoption of the measure by policymakers (1-2 pages)*
    1. What steps will you take before engaging policymakers (i.e. grassroots, engaging other interested parties, stakeholders)?
    2. How will you choose bill sponsor?
    3. Who will you primarily engage to gain support of the measure?
    4. Who will actively oppose the measure? How will you counter the opposition’s argument?
  3. Policy Memo to Government Agency, Stakeholders (1-2 pages)*
    Almost all policy proposals will require the action or attention of a government agency. For this portion of the project, you will focus on the role of the bureaucracy who will eventually be required to modify its activities or adopt new policies in order to implement the proposed policy. First, identify the government agency that is most likely to be impacted by the policy proposal. An extensive list of Tennessee agencies can be found at: https://www.tn.gov/directory/deptartment-directory.html.
    Next, identify the individual to whom you will address your memo. For the purposes of this project, your memo is likely to be addressed to the agency head (i.e. commissioner, executive director, etc.). Write a policy memo to the individual you have selected. Include all relevant background on the proposal, including some of the information you have included in your summary. Be sure to address what specific part of the agency or its mission will be impacted by the potential change. Provide recommendations about next steps to take to shape the agenda on the bill or advance preferred alternatives.
    On the outside chance that the policy proposal you have chosen does not require the action or attention of a government agency, there must be otherwise some nongovernmental stakeholders that will be affected by the change. Identify and address the memo to these stakeholder(s) and include the same information as you would have for a government agency.
  4. Memo to Bill Sponsor (1-2 pages)*
    Two legislators, one from the House and one from the Senate, will be tasked with sponsoring your policy proposal as legislation. As a policy advocate, you will need to make sure the bill sponsor has everything they need to effectively carry your proposal through the legislative process to enactment. Write a memo to the bill sponsor. The memo should summarize the legislation, outline your strategy, and include the pros and cons of the proposal so that the bill sponsor fully understands the proposal and potential questions.
    You should also research how the proposal has been implemented in other states. Has it been successful in other states? Are there differences between the proposal from your organization and how the approached used in other states? If it has not been implemented in other states, research if it has been proposed and explain why it has not been successfully adopted in other states. For this research, you may want to try going to the national association that corresponds to the association that is the subject on your project. You may also survey the other states using information from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) or the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
  5. Op-Ed (250-500 words)*
    The opinion editorial (op-ed) originated when responses appeared in newspapers on the page opposite from the editor’s opinion. Today an op-ed is more broadly used as a tool to publicly share the sound, informed, and resolute opinion of any writer. An op-ed can appear in publications ranging from local and national newspapers to blogs and other niche online or printed publications.
    Writing an op-ed can be a highly effective tool in advocacy work because it can reach thousands of readers at no cost if published, including policymakers and other decision makers. The challenge, however, is writing quickly enough to submit your op-ed within the very tight time frame and word count the opinion-page editor demands. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare a draft op-ed piece in advance of when your proposal is under consideration by policymakers.
    This is an opportunity to make your case to the public as to why your policy proposal should be adopted. Please review “How to Write an Op-Ed Article: Guidelines from Duke University’s Office of News and Communications” for assistance.
    • How to Write an Op-Ed Article  [PDF of Guidelines] [PDF of Guidelines] – Alternative Formats

       

  6. Legislative Testimony (1 page)*
    Legislation is heard before a public hearing before Senate and House committees before being considered on the floor of the Senate and House. As a policy advocate, you may have the opportunity to testify during a committee hearing. The most effective testimony requires preparation without sounding too rehearsed. While I would highly discourage anyone from reading prepared statements, if it is good to write out what you plan to say, memorize the key points, and adapt your testimony in the moment based on the deliberations of the proceedings. Here are some suggestions that you should include when preparing this portion of your project:
    • Begin by introducing yourself to the chair and committee members and stating your purpose. For example, "Mr. or Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am John/Jane Doe from Nashville. I am here representing the ABC Association. We support this bill because . . ."
    • In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing the proponents of the measure.
    • Be brief and be sure your remarks are clear. Avoid being too technical or using terms, acronyms that are not widely known.
    • Restrict your testimony to the proposal. Do not get too broad or philosophical in your comments.
    • Your prepared remarks should anticipate questions based on what you found in researching this proposal. For instance, legislators will routinely ask about how this issue is handled in other states.
  7. Works Cited
    A minimum of six (6) references from peer-reviewed articles. Students should provide URLs for any websites used, including one of your chosen organization if it maintains a website. Your research should go beyond the information provided by the organization.
  8. Appendicies 
    If you have any visuals – charts, graphs, photos – you may include those as an appendix and reference accordingly in the other portions of your packet.

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