Policy Expansion in Local Government Environmental Policy Making

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Arnold, Gwen; Le Anh Nguyen Long
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California Davis; University of California System; University of California Davis
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.12905
• 发表日期: 2019
• 页码: 465-476
• 关键词: methane contamination; natural-gas; citizen participation; decision-making; diffusion; state; INNOVATION; POLITICS; REINVENTION; FEDERALISM

摘要

Relatively little is known about when, why, and how some jurisdictions double down on policy priorities, rapidly adopting multiple measures tackling the same issue. Rapid policy expansion can emerge in fast-evolving, uncertain, and contested policy arenas in which pressures for policy making are not satisfied, and even may be strengthened, by initial policy innovation. This article analyzes local government policy making on high-volume hydraulic fracturing by New York State municipalities from 2008 to 2012. Policy path dependence, peer influence, and policy design appear to play a critical role in determining whether public officials respond to these pressures with policy expansion. Initial policy innovations can open windows for policy participants to secure additional measures that strengthen or enlarge the scope of action. Public officials and stakeholders seeking particular policy outcomes should take a long view of the policy process while simultaneously remaining alert for opportunities afforded by pressurized policy dilemmas.