This was first posted October 5th, 2020. Sociologists are interested in the interplay between structure and agency. While individuals theoretically have the agency to make the choices they want, these choices are constrained by factors out of their control, such as their social class, or social location. Social movements scholars, in particular, are interested in…
Tag: Tallahassee
Social Movement Perspective: Understanding Black Lives Matter and the #Tally19
Sociologists are interested in the interplay between structure and agency. While individuals theoretically have the agency to make the choices they want, these choices are constrained by factors out of their control, such as their social class, or social location. Social movements scholars, in particular, are interested in the agency that comes into play when…
Social Science Scholar: Florida Department of Health
This summer, I completed an internship with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Tallahassee, Florida, and Sarasota, Florida. The FDOH oversees all matters of public health and is comprised of a state health office in Tallahassee, and 67 local county departments. My internship comprised of serving at the state health office, as well as…
Policy Pub: Get Ready for more Sweaty!
Dr. James Elsner participated in the Policy Pub in September 2019. To listen to his pub navigate here. Summer is here and it’s hot. I love it. I loved summer in Milwaukee as a kid but it was always way too short. Not here. Summer starts in May and runs through most of September. Perfect….
Interning with Florida League of Cities
In early March, Florida lawmakers convened in Tallahassee to kick off the 2019 legislative session. The official start followed months of preparation, with lawmakers periodically holding interim legislative committee meetings to discuss and debate various policy and funding matters on tap for session. Legislative session is only 60 days in length, and the only action…
“Stir, or Get Away from the Pot”: Uncertainty Over Future Municipal Broadband Ownership is a Bad Idea
If you like the idea of municipal broadband, you’re not getting it. But all of the talk of “we might change our mind in the future” has the potential effect of degrading the quality of existing non-municipal broadband services. As an alternative, the City could formally disclaim any interest in municipal broadband and examine, in consultation with private broadband providers, if there are current city policies that are barriers to broadband upgrades. “Stir, or get away from the pot” indeed.
The Best Field Trip Might Be Just Around the Corner
The School of Arts and Sciences took third graders to Trader Joe’s this year, and many students and parents were surprised at how engaging and interesting this simple, inexpensive field trip was. It allowed exploration of nutrition, business management, advertisement and budgeting. Creative field trips like these are affordable and expand kids’ practical understanding of work and their cities.
CRA Should Not Subsidize Proof
Proof provides a great product and it has been a good member of the Tallahassee community, but that doesn’t mean it deserves special treatment. Tallahassee should resist the urge to give Proof, or any other business, taxpayer money.
Orchard Pond Parkway Shows Private Path for Addressing Infrastructure Gap
Public-private partnerships may be the solution to road construction and maintenance amidst budget shortages and population growth. The success of Orchard Pond Parkway can serve as a model for increased public-private partnerships within Florida and the rest of the nation.
Study Ignores Disadvantages of Consolidation
Local policymakers can’t wave a magic wand and say, “assume the best case scenario.” They will need to seriously consider the full range of on-the-ground experiences with local government consolidation.
Wicked Problems, Wicked Solutions 