The Force of Law: Legislating Against an Environmental Pollutant
California State Senator Richard Mountjoy first became alarmed by the effects of MTBE when using newly reformulated gasoline to clean old cars parts. The new gasoline melted his rubber gloves. Assemblywoman Debra Bowen was alerted to the MTBE proble...
Progressive Era, The: Government and Progressive Reform
Reformers seeking ways to get around city bosses, state legislators, and political parties try a variety of tactics. Some western states adopt an initiative process that empowers voters to write their own laws and put them to a vote of the people in...
Pressure Politics: Strategies to Enlist Government Support
Interest groups use a number of approaches to solicit support from government officials. They hire professional lobbyists to provide information to and fundraising support for members of Congress. The Institute for Policy Studies uses films, books, ...