Commentary
Proposition 30 passes in California; is the American tax conversation changing?
Yesterday Californians passed one of the most consequential ballot measures in the country that raised taxes to fend off yet another round of deep and damaging budget cuts. Public Works has been watching the campaigns for and against Proposition 30 closely over recent months; noting with interest how public communications about this tax proposal reflect what we know about our dominant American discourse about taxes and government. We also observed how proponents of Proposition 30 were working hard to engage their fellow Californians in a thoughtful deliberation about this revenue-raising measure. Their message that the future of the California Dream was at stake ultimately won the day, as reflected in remarks about the win by Governor Jerry Brown:
“We have a vote of the people, I think the only state in the country that says, ‘Let’s raise our taxes, for our kids for our schools, and for our California dream.”
In the weeks leading up to the vote Public Works conducted an analysis of the debate over Proposition 30, examining the insights it offered for broader efforts to engage the public on questions of taxes and the role of government. You can read the memo here .
“We have a vote of the people, I think the only state in the country that says, ‘Let’s raise our taxes, for our kids for our schools, and for our California dream.”
In the weeks leading up to the vote Public Works conducted an analysis of the debate over Proposition 30, examining the insights it offered for broader efforts to engage the public on questions of taxes and the role of government. You can read the memo here .
Restoring Trust in Government: Not a Communications Problem
March, 2012. Dianne Stewart. The Nation.
Building stronger support for, and a deeper understanding of, what government does requires more than finding the right “words” or frames to change people’s attitudes. While it is tempting to use charged language to get a short-term emotional reaction, creating support for government programs is a long-term project that requires patience and shared commitment. It requires broadening the coalition of people who support the activities that government must undertake for the common good, and together, appealing to the aspirations people have for their communities and states.
Building stronger support for, and a deeper understanding of, what government does requires more than finding the right “words” or frames to change people’s attitudes. While it is tempting to use charged language to get a short-term emotional reaction, creating support for government programs is a long-term project that requires patience and shared commitment. It requires broadening the coalition of people who support the activities that government must undertake for the common good, and together, appealing to the aspirations people have for their communities and states.
Buy the Right Car and You may Never Notice the Budget Holes
September, 2011. Dianne Stewart. Demos' Policy Shop Blog.
Dianne Stewart discusses an Audi luxury car commercial that suggests that people of wealth can insulate themselves from our decaying public structures by purchasing a luxury car—thus compensating for the loss of services provided by government. Coming at a time when the "Buffet Rule" is prominent in the public discourse, the ad pointedly raises the question of whether those with the means to do so will isolate themselves or embrace their role as citizens and support the public systems that make our nation strong.
Dianne Stewart discusses an Audi luxury car commercial that suggests that people of wealth can insulate themselves from our decaying public structures by purchasing a luxury car—thus compensating for the loss of services provided by government. Coming at a time when the "Buffet Rule" is prominent in the public discourse, the ad pointedly raises the question of whether those with the means to do so will isolate themselves or embrace their role as citizens and support the public systems that make our nation strong.
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Federal Income Tax
August, 2011. Elaine Mejia. Demos' Policy Shop Blog.
Elaine Mejia reminds us that taxes play a vital role in empowering America to address its challenges and secure a vibrant future. Contrasting the political and economic environment 150 years ago to today, Mejia urges us to remember that taxes matter.
Elaine Mejia reminds us that taxes play a vital role in empowering America to address its challenges and secure a vibrant future. Contrasting the political and economic environment 150 years ago to today, Mejia urges us to remember that taxes matter.
Civic Calling
July, 2011. Patrick Bresette. Municipal Advocate Magazine.
Patrick Bresette explicates the causes of and solutions to the distrust in government so prevalent in our country. “Negative views of government are indeed dominant, but these views are not as entrenched as many believe. There are concrete ways to engage the public in more pragmatic, civic-minded considerations of the public sector.” Bresette highlights two examples that demonstrate effective public engagement and encourages us to rebuild trust in our shared purposes, as challenging as it might seem. We must be “optimistic and aspirational in our defense of government—to articulate what can be and should be, not only ‘what is not.’”
Patrick Bresette explicates the causes of and solutions to the distrust in government so prevalent in our country. “Negative views of government are indeed dominant, but these views are not as entrenched as many believe. There are concrete ways to engage the public in more pragmatic, civic-minded considerations of the public sector.” Bresette highlights two examples that demonstrate effective public engagement and encourages us to rebuild trust in our shared purposes, as challenging as it might seem. We must be “optimistic and aspirational in our defense of government—to articulate what can be and should be, not only ‘what is not.’”
Standing Up For Government
June, 2011. Patrick Bresette. The American Prospect.
In spite of the recent ostensible tidal wave of recent anti-government sentiment, Patrick Bresette reminds us that public support for the core functions of government still exist. “Contradictions in public opinion reveal that negative attitudes toward government are not as monolithic as some would want us to believe.” Bresette calls upon us to harness the nascent civic energy to mount a more direct and coherent defense of government: by reconnecting the dots between the things people care about in their communities and the role that an adequately supported government plays in achieving these shared goals.
In spite of the recent ostensible tidal wave of recent anti-government sentiment, Patrick Bresette reminds us that public support for the core functions of government still exist. “Contradictions in public opinion reveal that negative attitudes toward government are not as monolithic as some would want us to believe.” Bresette calls upon us to harness the nascent civic energy to mount a more direct and coherent defense of government: by reconnecting the dots between the things people care about in their communities and the role that an adequately supported government plays in achieving these shared goals.
Giving Meaning to Taxes
April, 2011. Dianne Stewart. Our Fiscal Security.
Dianne Stewart reminds us that “taxes are our contribution to something important that is bigger than we are.” Paying taxes is our way of ensuring that the quality of life we enjoy endures, in this way we are stewards of the common good and “co-managers” of the public systems we use every day. Too often the act of paying taxes is disconnected from any civic meaning. “Tax revenues are civic capital… a lynchpin that secures quality of life for future generations.”
Dianne Stewart reminds us that “taxes are our contribution to something important that is bigger than we are.” Paying taxes is our way of ensuring that the quality of life we enjoy endures, in this way we are stewards of the common good and “co-managers” of the public systems we use every day. Too often the act of paying taxes is disconnected from any civic meaning. “Tax revenues are civic capital… a lynchpin that secures quality of life for future generations.”
Public Distrust of Government in an Age of Market Failure
March, 2011. Patrick Bresette. Democratic Strategist.
Reflecting on the current anti-government sentiment, Bresette calls for a need to rebuild trust in government by rebuilding trust in each other: finding shared goals, identifying common purposes and promoting the belief that problems can be addressed together. (This is one of a series of essays on the "Trust in Government" online forum hosted by Demos and the Democratic Strategist.)
Reflecting on the current anti-government sentiment, Bresette calls for a need to rebuild trust in government by rebuilding trust in each other: finding shared goals, identifying common purposes and promoting the belief that problems can be addressed together. (This is one of a series of essays on the "Trust in Government" online forum hosted by Demos and the Democratic Strategist.)
An Attack on One
January, 2011. Dianne Stewart. Demos Ideas and Action Blog.
In the week following the tragic shooting of Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords inTucson, Arizona, Stewart reminds us that our own cynicism about public officials diminishes respect for public service and undermines the effectiveness of our public sector. An attack on those who serve is an attack on all of us.
In the week following the tragic shooting of Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords inTucson, Arizona, Stewart reminds us that our own cynicism about public officials diminishes respect for public service and undermines the effectiveness of our public sector. An attack on those who serve is an attack on all of us.
Please Millennials, Save Us From Ourselves
March, 2010. Patrick Bresette. Demos Ideas and Action Blog.
As we watch in dismay as our political institutions seem unable to cope effectively with the many challenges we face, a recent Pew Research report, Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next, sheds a ray of hope. It reports that the millennial generation is confident, tolerant, educated, connected and civic-minded and wants to reclaim government as a tool for public good. They can’t come soon enough.
As we watch in dismay as our political institutions seem unable to cope effectively with the many challenges we face, a recent Pew Research report, Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next, sheds a ray of hope. It reports that the millennial generation is confident, tolerant, educated, connected and civic-minded and wants to reclaim government as a tool for public good. They can’t come soon enough.
The "T" Word
February, 2010. Patrick Bresette. One Massachusetts.
It’s a tough time to talk about taxes in Massachusetts, but getting back to Government as “Us” -- as our tool for getting things done -- is an essential ingredient for winning tax and revenue debates.
It’s a tough time to talk about taxes in Massachusetts, but getting back to Government as “Us” -- as our tool for getting things done -- is an essential ingredient for winning tax and revenue debates.
Oregon Votes Yes! For Oregon
January, 2010. Patrick Bresette.Demos' Policy Shop Blog.
In early 2010, several tax-increase ballot initiatives passed in Oregon. These victories demonstrated a successful campaign that articulated the connection between taxes and their purpose. In a subtle but important and consistent manner, the campaign and its many advocates worked hard to reconnect Oregonians to what was at risk—the fundamental public systems and structures that the state depends on and that are essential to their shared quality of life.
In early 2010, several tax-increase ballot initiatives passed in Oregon. These victories demonstrated a successful campaign that articulated the connection between taxes and their purpose. In a subtle but important and consistent manner, the campaign and its many advocates worked hard to reconnect Oregonians to what was at risk—the fundamental public systems and structures that the state depends on and that are essential to their shared quality of life.
Public Capacity and Public Trust
January, 2010. Dianne Stewart and Michael Lipsky. The American Prospect.
Dianne Stewart and Michael Lipsky explore how we can reverse the vicious circle of frustrated citizens denying state government adequate resources -- and then resenting the lack of state services.
Dianne Stewart and Michael Lipsky explore how we can reverse the vicious circle of frustrated citizens denying state government adequate resources -- and then resenting the lack of state services.
