Kingdon’s Policy Windows: Three Case Studies

1. Kingdon’s Policy Windows: Three Case Studies Lauren Siegel and Rachel Bjorhus

2. Overview: Kingdon’s Policy Windows • Kingdon’spolicy windows model is easily applied to a variety of policies and assists in understanding how policy action unfolds. • Will apply to three case studies: • Immigration reform • Gun control • Reauthorization of VAWA • Answering the questions: how did the windows open and how long were/will they stay open?

3. Kingdon’s Framework • Policy windows • Problem Windows • Political Windows • Predictable Windows • Solutions drawn from the policy stream • Coupling and joining of the streams • Role of entrepreneurs in coupling process

5. Comprehensive Immigration Reform • Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 last comprehensive action • Most recent attempt in 2007 • Impact of recession; anti-immigrant sentiment • Variety of interest groups: business, labor, social advocates, state governments • When did the window open and how long will it be open? • Very recently • Not very long

6. The Policy Window and Joining the Streams Problem Stream- -Growing number of undocumented immigrants -Labor needs of a struggling economy -Social welfare system constraints -Increasing number of state-level actions • Political Stream- • -Obama’s reelection • -Growing importance of Latino vote • -Recent cooperation/action in the House • -Increasing pressure from business/labor community and DREAMers Policy Stream- -Obama’s inclusion in second term agenda - “Gang of Eight” bipartisan Senators’ policy proposals -Previous proposals from labor and education advocates

7. When Will the Window Close? • Congressional action appears imminent • “Gang of Eight’s proposal expected in coming weeks • Current political context plays important role, both in Presidential agenda setting and in bipartisan consensus building (due to electoral politics implications)

9. Gun Control: Before the Policy Window Societal Predisposition • The second amendment: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of the free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. • Regulation versus Rights • The Founding Fathers instituted intrusive control laws. (Winkler, 2011)

10. Confusion Over Indicators

11. Opening the Current Policy Window • Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School • Mass shootings reportedly not on the rise (O’Neill, 2012) • On the heels of shootings in: • Aurora, CO at the premier of Dark Knight Rises • Oak Creek, WI at a Sikh Temple • Tucson, AZ- Rep. Gabrielle Gifford

12. The Policy Window and Joining the Streams Policy Stream- -23 executive actions for reforms -Current bi-partisan legislation Problem Stream- -Newtown as the focusing event -Mental illness -Enforcing current laws -Not enough laws Political Stream- -Obama appointed Biden as head of task force -Democratic Senate and Republican House -continued media coverage -state-level successes only

13. Keeping the Window Open (Hayes, 2013)

14. When Will the Window Close? • Very soon- April 6th report says Democratic Leaders will be meeting today • May have to scale back measures to gain more bi-partisan support • Will likely pass as the most comprehensive federal gun control legislation

15. A Predictable Policy Window: The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act • Funds the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, as well as DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women • Originally passed in 1994 with a 235-195 vote with bipartisan support • In 2000 and 2005 it was reauthorized with amendment that extended protections from gendered violence • The window opened in 2011 when it was due for reauthorization

16. However, Maybe Not So Predictable… • VAWA was expired for over a year before the 2012 renewal was making progress • The reauthorization was not fully resolved until February 2013-passed 286-138 • This reauthorization by far took the longest • How does this fit into Kingdon’s model?

17. Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2011-2013 Problem Stream- -Reauthorization needed -Continued need for services and programming related to gender-based violence Political Stream- -Democratic Executive and Senate, Republican House -Pressure from Women’s Reproductive Rights Interest Groups -The role of states Policy Stream- -The Senate- protections for same-sex couples, undocumented individuals, as well as grants to tribal communities. -The House amendments excluded all of this.

18. The Policy Window Closed February 2013 • This reauthorization decreased appropriations for all of its programming • Has all of the Senate’s intended protections for undocumented individuals, those that identify as LGBT and Native American women • Continues all programming, including education-based, non-direct services related

19. Discussion • How do you think Kingdon’s model of “riding a policy wave” fits with principles taught in our policy analysis courses? • Do you agree or disagree with our analyses of these three issues?

20. References • Briggs, V.M. (2012). The Elusive Goal: The Quest for a Credible Immigration Policy. Policy Analysis and Management, 31(4), p. 956 -963. • Follman, M., Aronson, G. & Pan, D. (2013). A Guide to Mass Shootings in America. Mother Jones. • Hayes, D. (2013). Why This Gun Control Debate Has Been Different. The Washington Post. • Kingdon, J. W. (2011). Agenda, Alternative, and Public Policies. • National Task Force To End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women. (2013). Summary of Changes from VAWA Reauthorization 2013. • O’Neill, H. (2012). Mass Shootings Not on the Rise, but Their Impact is Huge. Associated Press. • Overview of Kingdon’s Theory. [Flow Chart]. (n.d.). • Squire & Moncreif (2010). State Legislatures Today: Politics Under the Domes, Chapter 6. • This Time, It's different. (2012). The Economist, 405 (8812), p. 30 -31 • Winkler, A. (2011). The Secret History of Guns. The Atlantic.