GW WonkCast

Latest Episodes:

GW WonkCast S6E5: How do you solve a problem like climate change? A surprising proposal from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission presents one solution May 03, 2022

Join WonkCast host William Somes for a special interview with Garrett Kephart (MPP ’07) and Chris Smith (MPA ’86) from the Trachtenberg School Advisor Council. In this episode, William, Garrett, and Chris discuss a regulation proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to require corporations to disclose information related to their climate footprint, as well as the political debates surrounding the regulation.

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Sources:

Statement By Commissioner Peirce opposing the rule: https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/peirce-climate-disclosure-20220321

Proposed rule: https://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/2022/33-11042.pdf

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin: No. 99 – Materiality:https://www.sec.gov/interps/account/sab99.htm

Commentary from National Public Radio on the proposed rule:https://www.npr.org/2022/03/21/1087832674/the-s-e-c-climate-change-disclosures-companies

SEC mission: https://www.sec.gov/about.shtml

SEC history: https://www.sec.gov/about/what-we-do and https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/securities-and-exchange-commission#:~:text=The%20SEC%20was%20created%20in,prevent%20any%20future%20market%20calamities.

GW WonkCast S6E4: A Case Study of Waste Management in Maine with Sarah Nichols Feb 10, 2022

Join WonkCast host William Somes for a special interview with Sarah Nichols, the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, an environmental advocacy organization. In this episode, William and Sarah discuss extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy and other policies intended to increase recycling and decrease the amount of packaging waste in landfills.

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

GW WonkCast: Interview with Policy Perspectives’ Allison Woolverton Dec 20, 2021

Join WonkCast host William Somes for a special interview with Policy Perspectives author Allison Woolverton, who’s research titled Management of an Aquifer Threatened by Saltwater Intrusion will appear in Volume 29 of the Policy Perspectives Journal. Allison discussed environmental threats to the Southern Hills Aquifer in Louisiana, as well as the options and responsibilities that policymakers have to protect this and similar natural sources of fresh water.

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

GW WonkCast S6E3: How the Government Works – Profiles in Courage and Modern Bulwarks of Justice Dec 01, 2021

Even if individual action doesn’t permanently change the course of public policy, it can still make a splash. In this episode, WonkCast host William Somes discusses individuals who have significantly affected policy throughout American history, and what policymakers can learn from their acts.

Episode Transcript

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

GW WonkCast S6E2: How the Government Works – Electoral Systems and Partisanship in the 21st Century Nov 07, 2021

Politicians in America are selected through democratic elections, but how do these elections work? What are the consequences of our electoral system, and do other countries do it better? This week WonkCast host William Somes is joined by Verena Wingerter, an International Affairs and Cybersecurity student on exchange from the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany. Following a brief introduction, William and Verena discuss the features of the American and German electoral systems for selecting federal legislators, as well as the benefits and flaws of both. William then concludes with a discussion of alternative electoral systems that have been employed in the United States in recent years, including ranked-choice and single transferable vote systems.

References:

Dubner, S. J., & Levitt, S. D. (2015). Think like a freak. HarperCollins USA.

Katz, R. S. (2007). Political Institutions in the United States. Oxford University Press.

Rule, W., & Zimmerman, J. F. (1992). United States electoral systems: Their impact on women and
minorities. Greenwood Press.

Episode Transcript

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

GW WonkCast S6E1: How the Government Works – Power and the Three Branches Over Time Oct 16, 2021

Please welcome our new host, William Somes, to the WonkCast. William is a first year student in the Trachtenberg School, working on his MA in Environmental Resource Policy. This season of the WonkCast will be split into three parts: 1) How the Government Works, 2) The Environment, and 3) Social Justice. Episode 1 of Part I will focus on policy-making power in the three branches of government over time.

Relevant Links:

Episode Transcript

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 by John R Vile

Please direct your feedback on this episode to wonkcast@gmail.com

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The views expressed herein are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Below the Fold S5E1: Medicare for All and the Paris Climate Accords Nov 18, 2019

Join Co-Hosts Fania Jean, Eli Richman, and Sean Parker for an in-depth discussion of two issues that will certainly headline the upcoming 2020 elections. Preston Bruce edited this episode.

Relevant Links:

Here’s How Warren Finds $20.5 Trillion to Pay for ‘Medicare For All’

Elizabeth Warren Proposes $20.5 Trillion Health Care Plan

Trump Serves Notice to Quit Paris Climate Agreement

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The views expressed herein are those of the co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

GW WonkCast S4E9: What is a Right? May 15, 2019

We often hear the word “right” used in policy discussions and debates about federal programs. But what exactly is a right? What is the difference between a positive right and a negative right? How does our understanding of rights influence what we believe about the roles and responsibilities of a government and its citizens? This week, co-hosts Nathalie Grogan, Eli Richman, and Eric LaDue explore these questions and their implications for modern-day policy issues including healthcare, gun control, and education.

https://briefpolicyperspectives.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/wonkcast-rights.wav

Relevant links:

The Bill of Rights

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Rights

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The views expressed herein are those of the co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Screen Shot 2018-12-09 at 3.09.55 PM — **GW WonkCast S4E8: Below the Fold: Packing the Courts, Payday Lending, and Regulating the Boeing 737 Max** Apr 05, 2019
Join co-hosts Nathalie Grogan, Gabe Moss, and special guest Robert O’Shaughnessy of WRGW News for a lively discussion of important developments unfolding in public policy. Thanks to Robert for joining us!

https://briefpolicyperspectives.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/full-episode-3-19_01-1.mp3

Subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play to #staywonky.

*The views expressed herein are those of the co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of Policy Perspectives or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.*

**Sources:**

**Boeing 737 Max Safety:**

http://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/business/boeing-737-max-crash.html

**Supreme Court Packing:**

https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/705131248/democratic-candidates-embrace-the-risk-of-radical-ideas

http://time.com/5550325/democrats-court-packing/

**Payday Lending**

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/category-payday-loans/

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-finalizes-rule-stop-payday-debt-traps

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/02/06/cfpb-proposes-weakening-obama-era-payday-lending-rule-win-industry/?utm_term=.0faa393654d9

https://www.apnews.com/bbf3d73e47c542eb80b3d930305cf855

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