Description:
An empirical assessment of the effects of states' political and economic contexts on a range of state policy choices, using a time-series methodology which pools data on all 50 states over the last decade. Specific considerations include: the role of political values (e.g., ideology, normative nature of child care); institutional structure (e.g., legislative professionalism, strength of the governor); state-level political actors (e.g., support from the governor, proportion of female legislators); economic resources (e.g., tax effort, economic conditions); and the timing of national political developments (e.g., welfare reform). The study provides insight into the strengths and limitations of federal devolution, which will be directly applicable to federal policy debates over the use of block grant programs (e.g., Child Care Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to provide needed child care assistance for low-income families working toward economic self-sufficiency.
Resource Type:
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
Research Scholar(s):
Grantee(s)/Contrator(s):
Funder(s):
Contact(s):