In the News | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Fracking brings economic boost, but risks raise concerns

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Most Michigan and Pennsylvania residents say fracking is good for the economy, but have concerns about chemicals used and other environmental risks, according to a University of Michigan survey.

The results come from the National Surveys on Energy and Environment, a joint effort of the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) at U-M's Ford School of Public Policy and the Muhlenberg Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.

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Urban policy-themed Spring edition of State & Hill published

Monday, April 22, 2013

Cities—in America and around the globe—remain vitally important in fueling economic growth, producing jobs, and cultivating innovation and creativity. This edition of State & Hill features insights into city policy from faculty, alumni, and friends of the Ford School.

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An engaged citizen

Monday, April 22, 2013

Barry Rabe on the future of CLOSUP

A six-inch bobblehead of Ron Swanson, director of a fictitious Midwestern parks department in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, dominates the meeting table in Barry Rabe's office. The bobblehead is something of an enigma.

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Rabe quoted in NPR article on political polarization of states

Monday, April 1, 2013

Barry Rabe was quoted in an NPR article about the deepening political divide between U.S. states. The article, which is titled, "A State Apart and, Politically, A World Away," considers the polarization of states on both economic and social issues, like the environment.

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Local leaders: In residents we trust

Friday, March 15, 2013

Local government leaders in Michigan are more likely to trust their residents than their residents are to trust local governments, according to a University of Michigan survey.

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Rabe discusses growing belief in global warming in "Policy Points" video

Monday, March 4, 2013

In a new installment of "Policy Points," Barry Rabe discusses the increasing belief among Americans in the existence of global warming.

"We've now seen in recent surveys a jump back up from levels of the last couple of years—where belief was around the fifty percent level—to where nearly now seven out of ten Americans believe there is solid evidence of global warming over the last four decades," Rabe told Policy Points.

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NRC appoints Barry Rabe to steering committee on shale gas development

Monday, February 4, 2013

The National Research Council (NRC) has appointed Ford School Professor Barry Rabe to a steering committee that will organize two workshops examining the social and decision-making issues related to identifying, assessing, and managing risk in shale gas development.

In the first workshop, experts and practitioners will identify key issues regarding shale gas development and discuss the state and limits of scientific knowledge on those issues. In the second workshop, social scientists from several disciplines will apply a variety of insights about risk management institutions to the shale gas case, while interacting with each other and with practitioners.

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Rabe speaks with Bloomberg Businessweek on climate change perceptions

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bloomberg Businessweek interviewed Barry Rabe in an article about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on oceanfront home purchases in New Jersey where damage from the storm was great. According to the article, home prices along the East Coast have continued to rise, despite the risk of damage posed by future storms.

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"Black and Blue" documentary kicks off celebrations of President Ford's centennial year

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

On January 23, the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and the Center for Public Policy in Diverse Societies will present the documentary Black and Blue: The Story of Gerald Ford, Willis Ward, and the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech Football Game. The film will screen at 4 p.m. in the Ford School's Annenberg Auditorium and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring son of President Ford, Steven Ford, and grandson of Willis Ward, Buzz Thomas.

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Michigan Chronicle interviews Rabe on fracking in Michigan

Monday, January 21, 2013

The Michigan Chronicle interviewed Barry Rabe for its story on hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." Fracking is a process by which oil and gas companies inject chemical fluids or sand into underground shale rock formations in order to free deposits of oil or natural gas. The article, "Fracking Put Pennsylvania on Top of the U.S. Gas Boom—Is Michigan Next?" considers how growth of fracking techniques may impact the economy and environment in Michigan.

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Rabe speaks with Bloomberg News about climate issues, divisions within Congress

Thursday, December 13, 2012

For a story about efforts by former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis to combat global warming, Bloomberg News talked with Barry Rabe about political party divisions on climate policy.

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Rabe, Ruff speak with The Detroit News on right-to-work

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Detroit News interviewed Barry Rabe and Craig Ruff about the decision by Governor Rick Snyder to endorse right-to-work legislation in Michigan.

The decision, Rabe said, could be a defining moment in Snyder's political career, potentially branding him as an unusually partisan political figure.

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"The Political Viability of Carbon Taxation," Barry Rabe's latest blog post

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Political Viability of Carbon Taxation
by Barry Rabe

Economists of nearly all methodological and ideological stripes concur that the best way to attempt to stave off the worst impacts of climate change is through some form of taxation on the carbon content of fossil fuels. This idea has been around for a long time. Its latest manifestation includes some form of carbon tax in order to raise government revenue as part of a grand bargain to avoid the pending fiscal cliff.

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Barry Rabe: Majority of Americans want feds to address climate change

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Just over half of Americans believe the federal government should address climate change, according to a University of Michigan survey.

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"Economics of Carbon Taxes," Barry Rabe's latest blog post

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Economics of Carbon Taxes
By Barry Rabe

The idea of enacting a carbon tax to address climate change and fiscal woes may be as plausible as relying on new leadership to steer the Chicago Cubs to their first world championship in over a century.

But now that another baseball season has come and gone with no changes on the North Side of Chicago, national fiscal season emerges with yet another return to the question of imposing some form of tax on some forms of fossil fuel. In this case, could such a tax be part of a fiscal cliff deal?

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Barry Rabe quoted by ClimateWire on Nov. 6 wins, losses for environment

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Professor Barry Rabe spoke with ClimateWire about victories and losses for environmentalists coming out of the November 6 elections.

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Barry Rabe quoted in Detroit Free Press on Proposal 3

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Job creation is often a point of contention when states—such as Michigan—consider implementing new clean energy standards, Barry G. Rabe told the Detroit Free Press in, "Proposal 3 would put state out front in dash to renewable energy."

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Barry Rabe interviewed by Michigan Radio in segment, "Muddying the Michigan Constitution?"

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Barry Rabe spoke with Michigan Radio about why some interest groups pursue policy change through amendments to the Michigan Constitution rather than through legislation.

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Public opinion on climate change unduly influenced by recent weather, Rabe says

Monday, September 3, 2012

Whether it's a record-breaking heat wave or an exceptionally snowy winter, the public often lets seasonal weather unduly influence their belief in climate change, Barry G. Rabe told The Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Pennsylvania court ruling raises the debate on fracking, land-use governance, Rabe says

Monday, August 6, 2012

In a blog for The Brookings Institution, Barry G. Rabe said a state appellate court's decision to strike down key provisions of Pennsylvania's shale gas legislation could be a sign of things to come.

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