In this essay you will consider arguments about where policy decisions should be made (Federal, state, or local) in the context of recent policymaking in the areas of social welfare and the environment. To prepare to write the essay, read:

1) Textbook Chapter 3

2) “The New Federalism” which includes short readings by Eggers/O’Leary and Donahue (pdf on blackboard, under “Critical Essay #1” tab)

SOCIAL POLICY

3) https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/most-welfare-dollars-dont-go-directly-to-poor-people-anymore/

Data illustration at   https://features.marketplace.org/yourstateonwelfare/

ENVIRONMENT

4) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/climate/california-auto-emissions-trump.html

Data illustration at https://www.c2es.org/content/state-climate-policy/

Write an essay in which you 1) explain the debate between Eggers/O’Leary and Donahue, detailing their arguments carefully, 2) tell how their claims hold up in light of the 2 policies above, and 3) given all of this, tell which of the authors (Eggers/O’Leary OR Donahue) you find most persuasive and why.