The Price of Policy

Latest Episodes:

The 2021 CA Recall Election Sep 02, 2021

Have you voted yet? On what you ask? The 2021 California Recall election of course! If you’re eligible and registered to vote in CA, you get to decide whether or not we oust our current governor, and who will replace him if he gets removed. In this episode of The Price of Policy, William Graswich and Jordy Coutin do a quick Q&A about everything you need to know ahead of the 2021 CA Gubernatorial Recall Election on September 14th. We explain what your vote means, who and what your choices are, what even is a recall, and how much this all costs, in monetary terms… and maybe for the state of our democracy? There’s a lot at stake, from how CA handles the ongoing pandemic to the state of public programs.

Visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/cavoter to change your voter registration, track your ballot, check your voter status, and find more information about the election. To find more information about same-day voter registration and in-person voting, go to https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/. Lastly, click here for an LAist article spelling out what Governor Newsom has and hasn’t done during his time as governor.

If you’re interested in learning more about this episode be sure to check out our new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Contributors to this episode include William Graswich and Jordy Coutin.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Federal Immigration Reform and Diversity in Politics Aug 19, 2021

On February 18, 2021 Congresswoman Linda Sanchez of California and Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 to Congress. The bill would overhaul the U.S. immigration system, providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and refugees, protect immigrant workers, address the root causes of immigration, and promotes diversity.

In April, Mariana Garcia Medina and Steven Nagy spoke with Congresswoman Sanchez about the lesser known elements of the bill, why the bill is so important, how the current U.S. immigration system is broken, and who stands to benefit from immigration reform. They also discussed the importance of diversity in politics and why its so important to have decision makers that reflect the communities they represent.

If you’re interested in learning more about this episode, immigration resources, how to contact your representatives, or this episode’s contributors, be sure to check out our new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Resources:

H.R. 1177

Find your representative

CHIRLA

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Legal Help

Immigration Law Help

Los Angeles County Office of immigrant Affairs

Contributors to this episode include Mariana Garcia Medina, Steven Nagy, and Jordy Coutin.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Price Policy Forum: COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Aug 05, 2021

In December of 2020, the US government began distributing the first approved COVID-19 vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Since then, 2 more vaccines have been approved for use in the U.S., Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The early stages of the vaccine rollout in Los Angeles, were mired with technical roadblocks, equity issues, and vaccine apprehension that public health efforts still face today more than half a year later.

In February of 2021, as part of the 2021 Price Policy Forum Series, moderator (and host) Rit Shukla asked health experts and policy professionals to reflect on the challenges, successes, and strategies that Los Angeles used in its early stages of the vaccine rollout. Rit spoke with the Honorable Nury Martinez, Dr. Neeraj Sood, Dr. Sten Vermund, and Dr. Paula Cannon. Half a year later, many of the panelist ideas to combat distrust, strategies to ensure a more equitable vaccine distribution, and concerns over variants are still relevant.

If you’re interested in learning more about this episode, COVID-19 vaccine resources, or this episode’s contributors, be sure to check out our new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

A special thanks to all who participated in making the Price Policy Forum Series happen and for letting us use this audio for the episode.

Contributors to this episode include Rit Shukla, the Price Policy Forum Series team, and Jordy Coutin.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Title art by Alexander Sarno.

Unintended Consequences: Putting Parents on Trial for Child Truancy Mar 18, 2021

More often than not, policymakers pass well-intended policies that result in many unintended consequences- oftentimes disproportionately affecting the most marginalized groups of people. In this miniseries, we dive deep into three arguably well-intended policies whose adverse effects may have outweighed their intended benefits and outcomes. In this episode, we look at Senate Bill 1317, a California law that passed in 2010 allowing California state counties to prosecute the parents of chronically absent students. Our hosts look at the events leading up to SB 1317 as well as what actually happened once it was passed. Kelsey Paulino, with her co-host Holly Milburn-Smith, details the logic behind SB 1317 by investigating what was going on at the time that caused policymakers to pass a bill that, in hindsight, seems so obviously detrimental to those it was intended to help.

If you’re interested in learning more about this episode, other controversial California policies, or this episode’s contributors, be sure to check out our brand new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Contributors to this episode include Colin Harmony, Holly Milburn-Smith, and Kelsey Paulino.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Title art by Alexander Sarno.

Policy Analysis Tools: Adjusting for Inflation Mar 04, 2021

Has anyone ever told you something like, “back in my day, I used to buy a candy bar for 30 cents”? That sounds pretty sweet, right? (no pun intended) Well, we actually don’t know if they were getting a good deal relative to today until we adjust for inflation! As analysts we use a lot of tools to measure, predict, and compare the impacts of a policy, and adjusting for inflation is one of the most foundational. In the very first “Policy Analysis Tools” episode, Jordy Coutin explains why we need to adjust for inflation using specific LA examples such as minimum wage, rental prices, college tuition, and transportation spending!

If you’re interested in the math behind the calculation, be sure to check out our brand new website thepriceofpolicy.wixsite.com/thepop and follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Contributors to this episode include Jordy Coutin and Colin Harmony.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Title art by Alexander Sarno.

Sustainable Metropolitan Transportation in Los Angeles Feb 18, 2021

To learn about sustainable metropolitan transportation in Los Angeles, Alexander Sarno sits down with two of Los Angeles' most prominent transportation thought leaders, Dr. Cris B Liban, LA Metro’s first ever Chief Sustainability Officer, and one of USC Price's very own, Dr. Marlon Boarnet, Chair of the USC Urban Planning & Spatial Analysis Department and Professor of Public Policy. The conversation is composed of three parts, beginning with what was going on in the County prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. We then dive into how the County has responded and innovated to the tremendous challenges posed by the pandemic. Lastly, we leave with some inspiration as each of our guests share their respective visions for LA metropolitan transportation in the 21st century.

Correction to the statistic presented at 2:45 regarding the findings of a UCLA Institute of Transportation study: transportation ridership in the SCAG region declined from 2012 to 2016.

Contributors to this episode include Alexander Sarno, Colin Harmony, and Jordy Coutin Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin Title art by Alexander Sarno.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Homeless Encampment Sweeps Feb 04, 2021

In this episode, Jordy Coutin sits down with Jane Nguyen, co-founder of Ktown for All, UCLA Activist-in-Residence, and Campaign Manager for Kenneth Mejia’s 2020 bid for LA City Controller, to talk about how cities use homeless encampment sweeps as a policy tool. They talk about both the monetary cost of sweeps and their consequences for unhoused residents as well as recent actions taken by LA organizations to support unhoused residents amidst compounding crises.

This interview was originally conducted in September of 2020.

Contributors to this episode include Karla Fernandez and Jordy Coutin.

Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Title art by Alexander Sarno.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thepriceofpolicy, Twitter @thepopusc and on Facebook at The Price of Policy.

Overworked: The Price of Parenting in a Pandemic Dec 03, 2020

In this episode, Holly Milburn-Smith sits down with Dr. Christine Beckman to discuss her new book, Dreams of the Overworked: Living, Working, and Parenting in the Digital Age. They also talk about value of caregiving, the economic cost of parenting, and consider policy tools to support working parents.

This interview was originally conducted in August 2020.

Contributors to this episode include Karla Fernandez, Molly Creighton, Katie Lee, Jordy Coutin, and me, Holly Milburn-Smith. With music by Jonah Chang and title art by Alexander Sarno.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @priceofpolicy.

Permanent Supportive Housing Nov 19, 2020

In today’s episode Jordy Coutin speaks with Danielle Wildkress and Chris Contreras, the Chief Program Officer and the Program Director of the Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool at Brilliant Corners. They talk about Permanent Supportive Housing—one of the policy tools being used in Los Angeles to provide long-term housing to people experiencing homeless. They also talk about how the crisis got where it is, and what is needed to end homelessness in Los Angeles.

The interview in today’s episode was originally conducted in early July 2020.

Podcast art by Alexander Sarno Contributors include Jordy Coutin, Holly Milburn-Smith, Karla Fernandez, and Colin Harmony. Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

Community-Based Affordable Housing Preservation Nov 19, 2020

In today’s episode, Penelope Fergison and Karla Fernandez speak with Oscar Monge, Associate Director & Community Development Director at T.R.U.S.T. South LA. They discuss T.R.U.S.T. South LA’s work around USC’s campus in the Exposition Park neighborhood to preserve affordable housing through participatory planning and community land trusts, a form of shared equity homeownership placing ownership of community land in the hands of its members. Comprising just a small share of the nation’s housing stock, community land trusts are gaining visibility for creating long-term and permanently affordable housing that addresses racial inequality and housing crises worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This interview was originally conducted in August 2020

Podcast art by Alexander Sarno. Contributors include Penelope Fergison, Karla Fernandez, Jonah Chang, Jordy Coutin, and Katie Lee.

2020 Elections Part 3: LA Local Elections Oct 15, 2020

In Part 3 of the 2020 Elections series we take a deep dive into some of the races and ballot measures in LA County. What is the incumbent’s track record in city council? What are her top policy issues? We try to answer these types of questions and more for the District Attorney, LA County Supervisor, and City Council districts 4 and 10 races. We also break down Measure J, a measure pushing to reimagine public safety in Los Angeles.

Go to www.registertovote.ca.gov to register and check your voter status at www.voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Most importantly, be sure to vote by November 3rd!

Many of the breakdowns were recorded in September and early October so some information may no longer be accurate.

Podcast art by Alexander Sarno Contributors include Jordy Coutin, Rit Shukla, Riley McMackin, Sofia Guadron, and Holly Milburn-Smith Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

2020 Elections Part 2: CA State Propositions Oct 14, 2020

In Part 2 of this series we break down California propositions 19 through 25--who supports them, who opposes them, and what they do. Tune in tomorrow for Part 3 where we talk about local measures and races in LA

Go to www.registertovote.ca.gov to register and check your voter status at www.voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Most importantly, be sure to vote by November 3rd!

Many of the proposition descriptions were recorded in September and early October so some information may no longer be accurate.

Podcast art by Alexander Sarno Contributors include Jordy Coutin, Katie Lee, Steven Nagy, Colin Harmony, and Holly Milburn-Smith Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

2020 Elections Part 1: CA State Propositions Oct 13, 2020

The 2020 elections are right around the corner and as Angelenos, we have a lot to vote on at the state level. Propositions 14 through 25 stand to dramatically change policy on issues ranging from rent control to who gets to who gets to vote. In Part 1 of this series we break down California propositions 14 through 18--who supports them, who opposes them, and what they do.

Go to www.registertovote.ca.gov to register and check your voter status at www.voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Most importantly, be sure to vote by November 3rd!

Many of the proposition descriptions were recorded in September and early October so some information may no longer be accurate.

Podcast art by Alexander Sarno Contributors include Jordy Coutin, Katie Lee, Steven Nagy, and Colin Harmony. Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin

COVID-19 Testing Oct 01, 2020

In today’s Episode Rit Shukla sits down with Professor Neeraj Sood to talk about COVID-19 Testing Policy in LA. They get into how testing works, who’s paying for testing, where testing would be most effective, and what LA can do to improve testing capacity.

Join us on October 13th and 15th for episodes on the propositions and ballot measures Angelenos will be voting on in the upcoming November 3rd election.

This interview was conducted on August 13, 2020. Some of the details about the LA testing context may have changed.

Podcast Art by Alexander Sarno. Music by Jonah Chang and Jordy Coutin. Intro and outro by Katie Lee.

The Price of Policy Intro Sep 17, 2020

Welcome to the Price of Policy! The Price of Policy is a student produced podcast at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. Today, Steven Nagy and Riley McMackin talk about what you can expect from The Price of Policy Podcast, and we share a snippet of some of the conversations we have in our upcoming episodes. We hope you’ll join us for episode 2 on Thursday October 1st where Rit Shukla sits down with Professor Neeraj Sood to talk about COVID-19 Testing policy.

Artwork by Alexander Sarno.

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