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PRS Briefs

2022 - 2023

ESTIMATING THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF STATE-FUNDED SNAP AND TANF PROGRAMS FOR IMMIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
November 27, 2023
Meghana
Mishra
Immigrant eligibility for federal public benefits programs is governed by a patchwork of federal laws and regulations. Federal public benefits programs include programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Prior to the...
VERMONT PRE-K AND CHILDCARE EXPANSION: CONTEXT AND PEER MODELS
November 3, 2023
Lilian
Hemmins
Despite its high ranking from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) as fourth in the nation for accessibility for four-year-olds and second for three-year-olds, Vermont struggles to provide childcare and pre-K programs that meet the needs of its residents. High quality early...
EMS Workforce Shortage in New Hampshire
May 30, 2023
Anne
Guidera
New Hampshire is facing a shortage of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers. This shortage is impacting residents statewide, compromising the system's ability to adequately respond to health care emergencies. Based on stakeholder interviews and a comprehensive literature review, we detail the...
Community Nursing in Vermont
May 24, 2023
Emma
Lynch
Healthcare across the United States is fragmented, expensive, and inefficient; the healthcare delivery system in Vermont is no exception. In fact, due to the state's distinct aging demographic and geographic composition, Vermont experiences unique challenges in access to healthcare and health...
Biomass Electricity Generation in New Hampshire
May 10, 2023
Mehak
Batra
In a world increasingly impacted by warming temperatures and climate change, utility companies have been working to develop new forms of renewable energy that do not emit greenhouse gases. In heavily forested areas, such as New Hampshire, wood may be a viable alternative to fossil fuels for...
Alternatives to Affidavits
April 20, 2023
Prescott
Herzog
With the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 418, voters in the state of New Hampshire who do not have  proof of residency, citizenship, identity, and age eligibility at the polls to same-day register to vote will need to send a copy of their identification within seven days of the election for...
Criminal Mediation in New Hampshire
April 14, 2023
Dara
Casey
The goal of this report is to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal mediation processes in the New Hampshire judicial system.1 Criminal mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), an alternative to the traditional trial process. Although ADR is not yet broadly employed across the...
Teleheath and Housing Insecurity in the Upper Valley
April 10, 2023
Benjamin
Arsonson
This study seeks to answer the question, "How can we optimize the delivery of telehealth to improve the health of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in the Upper Valley?" The question is presented by the Upper Valley Haven's (UVH) Executive Director Michael Redmond as part of the organization's...
Responding to Increasing EV Use in Vermont
April 3, 2023
Bea
Burack
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, and public EV infrastructure more extensive, the State of Vermont will likely need to address three issues: reduced gas tax revenue, public EV charger siting, and expired EV battery processing. EVs do not consume gasoline, so the adoption of EVs will...
Vermont Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions
March 29, 2023
Thomas
Lane
Vermont law has, in addition to those outlined in federal law, a number of exemptions to both its standard minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. As the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military affairs is reconsidering the current exemptions on the books, this report explores the...
PCB Testing in Vermont Public Schools
February 28, 2023
Gretchen
Bauman
Between the 1930s and 1977, chemical companies such as Monsanto manufactured electrical equipment and building materials, including caulk and light ballasts, with human-made chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Although PCBs were banned in 1979, a lack of removal efforts means they...
Expanding Universal School Meals for the Future of Vermont Children
February 28, 2023
Jennifer
Lee
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government funded Universal School Meals (USMs) nationwide. After seeing robust benefits for students and teachers, Vermont policymakers decided to continue this program at the state level for the 2022-23 school year. However, sustaining USMs comes at a...

2021 - 2022

Mitigating Medicaid Cliffs
September 12, 2022
Mehak
Batra
A Medicaid coverage cliff is a situation in which beneficiaries have incomes that exceed the limit for Medicaid supplemental coverage but still do not earn enough to afford private insurance. This report identifies the scope of Medicaid cliffs in Vermont and gives the Vermont House Committee on...
Current and Anticipated Needs of Woodstock Area Residents
September 1, 2022
Mehak
Batra
The HUB, a project of the Woodstock Community Trust, facilitates in the coordination of resources and funding among local organizations to support Woodstock-area residents during times of personal and community-level  crisis. This report identifies the current and future needs of Woodstock...
Examining Disparities in Vermont School Disciplinary Record Disclosure
August 1, 2022
Natasha
Raman
Between 2013 and 2015, an average of 5.3 percent of all Vermont K-12 students were suspended or expelled from school.1 These adolescent mistakes that resulted in suspension or expulsion have the potential to hamper Vermont students' post-secondary pursuits if they are recorded and released to...
Valuation of Lake Sunapee
June 9, 2022
Paul
Hager
Lake Sunapee is the fifth largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire. It provides significant value to the state economy in the form of property, property taxes, business revenue, and water supply. The lake draws visitors and both full-time and part-time residents to the area. This valuation...
Equitable Emissions Reduction
June 9, 2022
Miles
Harris
Vermont faces numerous challenges from climate change, which have already begun to negatively impact the state's ecosystem, economy, and public health, especially affecting rural and low-income residents. While the state's greenhouse gas emissions make up only a small fraction of total United...
Modernizing Unemployment Insurance
June 6, 2022
Paul
Keller
This report analyzes the opportunity for Vermont to implement new improvements to their Unemployment Insurance (UI) System. This report draws on and synthesizes the key findings of the December 2021 Report of the Unemployment Insurance Study Committee, the Memorandum on the Feasibility of Changing...
Maternity Care Deserts in Rural New Hampshire
June 1, 2022
Madeline
Gochee
The closure of labor and delivery units across New Hampshire poses numerous problems for the state's mothers and newborns, leaving large numbers of rural residents without easy access to maternity care services. These closures are the product of a variety of factors including a shrinking patient...
The Peer Support Solution: A community Based Model for Closing the Gap in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Shortages
June 1, 2022
Peter
Leutz
Mental health and substance abuse in the United States is a pressing crisis of mental health. The crisis has only been exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the demand for mental health and substance abuse support resources has never been higher. Unfortunately, a...
Forensic Mental Health in Vermont
April 5, 2022
Madeleine
Bernardeau
In the legal system, incompetent individuals are deemed mentally unfit to testify or stand trial by the court. Competency restoration is the mental health treatment provided to legally incompetent defendants so that they can fully participate in judicial proceedings. The current U.S. competency...
Non-Driving Related Suspensions in New Hampshire
March 19, 2022
Jason
Norris
Eleven million Americans currently have suspended driver's licenses as a result of not paying fees/ fines or missing a hearing date.1 Under current New Hampshire law, a driver's license can be revoked for a number of offenses unrelated to operating a motor vehicle. These categories are (1)...
Barriers to Career and Technical Education in New Hampshire
March 14, 2022
Lilian
Hemmins
Roughly twenty percent of high school students in New Hampshire attend Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs spread across 32 CTE centers in the state and in Vermont. CTE prepares youth and adults for a wide range of careers. At the secondary level, CTE provides students with the...
HB 1299 and New Hampshire Cervid Importation Policy
March 7, 2022
Ben
Aronson
Cervids constitute a centrally important aspect of wildlife importation policy. In the past fifty years, the cervid-borne Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been identified in twenty-nine U.S. states, threatening wild and domestic game while complicating wildlife management and deer importation...
Parental Incarceration in Vermont
February 11, 2022
Kiera
Bernet
This report provides background, context, and insights into the current impacts of parental incarceration of children in Vermont. In addition, it analyzes the expedient factors in H.399, a bill that proposes "to require the sentencing court to consider the criminal defendant's status as the primary...
Workforce Housing in Hanover, NH
December 2, 2021
Cecily
Craighead
This policy brief explores the issue of and potential solutions for workforce housing in Hanover, New Hampshire. The Upper Valley region is predicted to be in need of an additional 10,000 housing units by 2030, simply to meet ongoing demand for affordable housing.  The lack of affordable...

2020 - 2021

Valuation of Lake Winnipesaukee
June 21, 2021
Zoe
Chandra
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire and an important landmark, providing significant benefits to New Hampshire’s economy. Its presence benefits the tourism and recreation industries in New Hampshire, provides resources to nearby towns, and positively impacts real estate prices...
Breast Cancer Prevention in Kosovo
Understanding the Capacity Constraints and Identifying Policy Options for Prevention
May 24, 2021
Alexandra
Eyvazzadeh
The National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo reported 4,409 incident cases of cancer in 2018, up from 2,308 in 2012.1 Similarly, the Oncology Clinic of UCCK registered 1,483 cancer in 2018,2 including 340 new cases of breast cancer, up from 1,237 cases two years prior to that. Forty-eight...
Improving Childhood Well-Being
May 16, 2021
Addison
Dick
Drawing on previous childhood well-being accountability reports, this report examines the safety, health, and education of New Hampshire children. To accurately determine the well-being of children in each of these three domains requires a two-step analysis. First, the report assesses the extent to...
Improving Special Education Transition Services in New Hampshire
May 2, 2021
Lauren
Adler
The transition from special education to adult services for students with disabilities can be abrupt and is often undertaken without full consideration of the needs, aspirations, and abilities of students. This report to the Education and Workforce Development Committee of the New Hampshire Senate...
Expanding Rural Broadband Access in Vermont
April 25, 2021
Mounisha
Anumolu
Nearly 42 percent of Vermonters lack access to high-speed internet,2 posing a challenge for the economic prospects of the state. Furthermore, as electricity management is becoming increasingly dependent on internet access in order to organize and allocate distribution, low connectivity levels will...
New Hampshire Rail Trail Funding
April 19, 2021
Christopher
Gaige
Across the country, rail trails are an environmentally- and commuter-friendly alternative to automobiles and other fossil fuel-burning transportation. They also provide safe locations for a wide range of recreational activities, including mountain biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and running...
Sustainable Waste Management
April 3, 2021
Frandy
Rodriguez
Due to budget cuts in the Department of Environmental Services (DES) Solid Waste Management Bureau, New Hampshire has fallen behind in planning for the future of solid waste management. Four of the six landfills in the state are expected to close within the next decade, while the volume of trash...
Regenerative Agriculture and Payment for Ecosystem Services
March 30, 2021
Olivia
Gresham
Regenerative agriculture may provide numerous benefits to the state of Vermont, including increased food security and ecosystem conservation; however, this approach may be much more expensive to farmers than conventional practices. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), a process whereby farmers...
Pesticides and Neonicotinoids
March 27, 2021
Paridhi
Kapadia
In recent years, research has increasingly suggested that pesticides such as neonicotinoids cause harm to the environment and pollinator populations. The New Hampshire legislature introduced a bill in January 2019 to ban the use and sale of insecticides and treated seeds in the following categories...
Regional Food Supply Systems
March 26, 2021
Vanessa
Haggans
From 2007 to 2017, the economic output of the Vermont food system expanded by 48 percent.1 The increase in local food products parallels the increasing consumer demand for local food throughout the state.2 The goal of this report is to understand the current regional food supply systems in Vermont...
Young Money: Minors and In-App Purchases
March 23, 2021
Christina
Javens
Anecdotal evidence suggests that parents sometimes discover large credit card purchases made without their authorization because a child unknowingly made in-app purchases on various entertainment and gaming apps. An in-app purchase (IAP) is the process by which users of entertainment and gaming...
Child Prone Restraint in New Hampshire
March 17, 2021
Megan
Nalamachu
Prone restraint is a type of physical restraint in which an agitated individual is placed in a face-down position. It is used to control an individual who poses an imminent danger to themselves or others. The New Hampshire restraint law (RSA 126-U) is currently ambiguous. While some stakeholders...
Homelessness in the Upper Valley
July 6, 2020
Eitan
Darwish
Homelessness is a problem that plagues both urban and rural communities across the nation. The Upper Valley is not immune to this struggle. In fact, homelessness poses a particularly difficult problem in this region for a variety of reasons starting with the difficulties of collecting good data....

2019 - 2020

Understanding How the National Telehealth Network in Peru Has Improved Access to High Quality Specialty Care
August 20, 2020
Seysha
Mehta
In 2017, the Ministry of Health in Peru (MINSA) implemented the National Telehealth Network to extend high-quality specialty care to remote and rural populations in Peru. Since its establishment, the network has been rapidly expanding, with the number of telehealth sites, teleconsultations, and...
Bail Reform in New Hampshire
Assessing its Effects Across the State
June 22, 2020
Tanner
Bielefeld Pruitt
New Hampshire recently implemented a sweeping reform of its pretrial release and bail system, from legislation to litigation. Much of the debate with regard to the bail reform centers on Failure to Appear (FTA) rates, which, to date, have not been estimated reliably in New Hampshire. Response to...
Public Health Stakeholders in New Hampshire
Mitigating Food Insecurity Among Diabetic Patients in Manchester, New Hampshire
June 21, 2020
Sunny
Drescher
This report reviews the roles of governments, hospitals, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations in alleviating food insecurity. The purpose of this report is to provide information to help the Population Health team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the Foundation for Healthy...
Addressing Student Loan Debt as a Barrier to Vermont Residency
Evaluating Sections of Vermont Senate Bill 331
June 12, 2020
Nicole
Beckman
Vermont currently has an aging population and is experiencing more out-migration than in-migration. The Federal Reserve recently found that the largest barrier for young professionals staying in and moving to rural areas is the burden of student debt. In S. 331, the state legislature proposes new...
Women's Parenthood and Educational Programs in New Hampshire State Prisons
Possibilities for Programming in the New Hampshire Correctional Facility for Women
May 31, 2020
Nathan
Camilo
Since 1970, the female incarcerated population has been steadily rising, implying an increased demand for more female-centric programming in the New Hampshire Correctional Facility for Women.  In this report, we examine the current programming provided by the New Hampshire Department of...
Juvenile Justice System Spending in New Hampshire
Evaluating Juvenile Justice Programs in New Hampshire and Across the United States
May 22, 2020
Sam
Selleck
This report provides insight into juvenile justice programs and spending in New Hampshire. To improve the efficiency of spending in New Hampshire, the research team also examined effective evidence-based programs implemented in other states. This report will describe and analyze the applicability...
Understanding how the National Telehealth Network in Peru has Improved Access to High Quality Specialty Care
Presented to the Ministry of Health in Peru (MINSA)
May 15, 2020
Seysha
Mehta
In 2017, the Ministry of Health in Peru (MINSA) implemented the National Telehealth Network to extend high-quality specialty care to remote and rural populations in Peru. Since its establishment, the network has been rapidly expanding, with the number of telehealth sites, teleconsultations, and...
Short-term Rental Units: Regulations and Impacts in Vermont
Policy Options to Address the Uneven Playing Field
May 14, 2020
Namrata
Ramakrishna
The Vermont tourism industry has historically served as an effective source of tax revenue for the state. There are disparities in the taxation and regulation of traditional tourist lodging, like hotels, and the new and burgeoning short-term rental  market. The Vermont Senate Committee on...
The Burden of Air Pollution in Prishtina, Kosovo
The Impact of Air Pollution, How to Reduce It and Mitigate Health Impacts
April 21, 2020
Sydney
Kamen
Kosovo faces dangerously high rates of air pollution that often reach levels far exceeding international health limits. Approximately 3,700 Kosovars die prematurely because of high air pollution annually, more than any other country in Europe. The harmful effects of air pollution are most...
Shifting Winds
Wind Farm Sitting Processes in New York, New Hampshire, and Maine
April 17, 2020
Alex
Wang
The Vermont State Legislature is currently considering changes to siting processes for grid-scale wind farms. This research paper aims to inform deliberations of the state legislature by providing an overview of the wind farm approval processes in the states of New York, New Hampshire, and Maine....
Maternity Underutilization in Kosovo
Addressing Drivers and Identifying Policy Options for Change in the Maternal Health System
April 9, 2020
Namrata
Ramakrishna
Maternities in Kosovo are not being effectively utilized for deliveries or many other aspects of maternal care. Because finite resources are being invested in these facilities without proportional service delivery, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has identified this issue as a priority. In partnership...
Service Year Opportunities in New Hampshire
April 9, 2020
Michael
Nachman
This report compiles information relevant to the work of the New Hampshire Service Year Workforce Commission. By surveying New Hampshire’s workforce, service year programs available to young people in the state, and employment and education opportunities offered to service year alumni, the report...
Considerations for the Implementation of the California Clean Cars Program in New Hampshire
An Interim Report
April 9, 2020
Andrew
Culver
As the state of New Hampshire considers adopting the California Clean Cars Program, the key outcomes and takeaways from the implementation of this program in other states provides critical lessons learned for New Hampshire. This report compiles information from five interviews conducted with...
Proficency-Based Learning in Vermont
Follow-up on Implementation and Initial Impacts
April 9, 2020
Naina
Bhalla
The introduction of proficiency-based learning standards in public high schools in Vermont has been the object of scrutiny, especially among parents and students who are concerned with the implications of these standards for the college admissions process. The new mandate, which aims to encourage...
Local Food in Vermont Schools
Barriers, Impacts, and Solutions for Local Food Acquisition
April 9, 2020
Arthur
Raines
By 2025, the State of Vermont intends that 50 percent of the food schools serve be locally produced.[i] As of 2014, 5.6 percent of the food schools serve is locally produced.[ii] The goal of this study is to determine how Vermont might increase the amount of local food in schools and evaluate the...
Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Technology in the State of Vermont
The Economic and Health Implications
February 25, 2020
Alexander
Kokoshinskiy
This report addresses the health, economic, and legislative implications of 5G rollout in the state of Vermont. A review of recent scientific literature suggests that exposure to radio frequency radiation could have adverse effects on human health. Many state, municipal, and international...

2018 - 2019

Workforce Development in the Upper Valley
A Survey of Programs and Services
June 5, 2019
Ian
Reed
Workforce development is a broad term that refers to a myriad of activities by private and public organizations with the goal of strengthening the quality of the workforce. These activities can consist of specific and/or general hands-on trainings, educational classes and instruction,...
Accessory Dwelling Units in Norwich, Vermont
Investigating ADUs as an Affordable Housing Solution
May 24, 2019
Emily
Schneider
In October 2018, the town of Norwich was denied access to state grants after the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission found that the proposed town plan failed to meet state standards for regional approval.[i] Norwich was cited, in part, for its failure to set a goal for multifamily or...
Assessing the Lake Champlain Sewer Overflow Problem in Vermont
A Methodological Design
May 24, 2019
Bruna
Decerega
Lake Champlain is one of the most frequently visited recreation areas by Vermont residents and visitors alike. The lake generates in millions of dollars from its tourism and fishing industries alone. However, the main wastewater treatment facilities in the state have been leaking semi-treated...
Child Emancipation in New Hampshire
Investigation into the Creation of a Child Emancipation Statute in New Hampshire
May 21, 2019
Eileen
Brady
Child emancipation and the termination of parental rights represent large components of the juvenile legal system. Currently, there is no statute governing the granting of child emancipation in the state of New Hampshire and thus rulings in this area must be made solely on the basis of case law and...
Parental Alienation in New Hampshire
Understanding, Identifying, and Combating Parental Alienation
May 21, 2019
Alexandra
Norris
Parental alienation is a set of behaviors, sometimes exhibited during divorce proceedings, in which one parent attempts to undermine the relationship between the other parent and their child. This report identifies that such behaviors exist on a continuum with varying levels of psychological...
The Possibilities of Drone Regulation
A Case Study of Federal Regulation and Comparative Drone Legislation
May 12, 2019
Luke
Bienstock
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, are becoming increasingly prominent in the world. Many people have started using drones recreationally, and there is growing market for drone hobbyists. Businesses have also found creative commercial applications for drones, like using them as a delivery...
Affordable Housing in the Upper Valley
Serving Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Employees
April 24, 2019
Jessica
McDermott
This report outlines a roadmap for performing research that will help Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) address its staffing shortage by outlining affordable housing solutions in the Upper Valley. DHMC currently is unable to fill 900 of its 9,000 jobs, in part due to housing issues. In...
Increasing Access to Maternal and Pediatric Specialty Care via Telehealth in Peru
Recommendations and Frameworks
April 24, 2019
Lucy
Tantum
This report presents the findings of a three-month investigation conducted by a global health research team from Dartmouth, a university in the United States. The team was asked by Hospital Nacional Docente Madre-Niño San Bartolomé to investigate how the hospital could increase access to its...
Grandfamilies in New Hampshire
Examining Policy Alternatives
April 1, 2019
Sunny
Drescher
Grandfamilies—families in which the grandparents raise their grandchildren when parents cannot—are unique family structures that neither match a nuclear family nor a foster family. In this report, we examine existing support for grandfamilies and provide additional options for New Hampshire to...
Net Metering Policy Options for Wolfeboro, NH
March 7, 2019
Eitan
Darwish
Because there is an interest among residents and businesses in expanding local generation of renewable energy, the Town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire implemented a pilot net metering program in 2008, and the Wolfeboro Municipal Energy Department is now exploring the economic feasibility of expanding...
Education Freedom Savings Accounts
An Analysis of New Hampshire Senate Bill 193-FN
February 5, 2019
Marina
Liot
Education Freedom Savings Accounts, or “EFSAs,” are the primary subject of Senate Bill 193-FN. EFSAs would provide financial support to primary and secondary school students in New Hampshire by the state government to help fund students’ private school education or homeschooling if that student...
Palliative Care in Kosovo
Preliminary Policy Recommendations for a National Program
September 14, 2018
Io
Jones
Each year, thousands of citizens of Kosovo with cancer and other chronic illnesses die without the benefits of comprehensive palliative care. Palliative care is offered only in limited forms in the country and is not integrated, comprehensive, or multidisciplinary. Nevertheless, the emergence of...

2017 - 2018

Addressing Youth Cannabis Use in Greenland
Identifying Evidence-Based Interventions and Delivery Strategies
September 6, 2018
Zohra
Aslami
Greenland has one of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world. Moreover, cannabis use amongst Greenland’s youth population has emerged as one of the nation’s largest public health concerns. In 2002, 44.1 percent of male and 47 percent of female Greenlandic 15-year-olds had used cannabis....
Regulating Growlers
The Effects of Expanded Retail Licenses
August 27, 2018
Allyssa
Dobkins
Growlers, refillable containers used for carrying draft beer, are difficult to regulate. That is because they often violate the current alcohol regulation system that prevents individual actors from participating in multiple points of the production to retail process. As a result, different states...
2018 Upper Valley Housing Community Discussion
Proceedings
June 2, 2018
Nathan
Camilo
On May 26, 2018 more than fifty Upper Valley residents gathered at the Nelson A, Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences at Dartmouth College for a community discussion on affordable housing in the Upper Valley.  The event, co–sponsored by the Rockefeller Center and Vital...
2018 State of the Upper Valley Poll
Affordable Housing
June 2, 2018
Alexandrea
Adams
Affordable housing continues to be a concern among Upper Valley residents. There have been numerous reports in local newspapers addressing the issues and the causes of lack of affordable housing options in the Upper Valley. Despite lack of housing options, there have been difficulties in...
Investigating Policy Options for Recreational Marijuana in New Hampshire
A Case Study Analysis
April 16, 2018
Christopher
McCorkle
In this report, data from five states that have legalized recreational marijuana are analyzed in order to provide comparative knowledge for the New Hampshire state legislature to consider when discussing marijuana policy. After evaluating similarities between New Hampshire and states that have...
Drinking Water Standards in New Hampshire
Regulation of Perfluorinated Compounds
April 3, 2018
Estephanie
Aquino
The quality of drinking water is a staple and point of pride for the residents of New Hampshire. Unfortunately, it was recently discovered that the drinking water of several towns of the state has been contaminated by Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Although the research on the adverse health...
Civil Asset Forfeiture Policy
An Analysis of New Hampshire and Relevant States
March 23, 2018
Alex
Rounaghi
As a result of the policy changes promulgated by Attorney General Sessions, federal Civil Asset Forfeiture policy has changed. Most notably, the Equitable Sharing Program has been revived, which gives state and local law enforcement agencies the ability to use federal law to seize assets. New...
Valuation of Recreation Infrastructure in Southern Windsor County
An Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure in Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor
February 28, 2018
Brandon
Nye
The Southern Windsor County region in Vermont, which encompasses the towns of Windsor, West Windsor, and Weathersfield, contains many opportunities for those seeking outdoor recreation. Between Mount Ascutney, the wildlife areas, and the network of outdoor trails, the region offers a variety of...
Roadblocks and Law Enforcement Spending in New Hampshire
Analysis of Expenditures and Effectiveness
February 26, 2018
Tyler
Baum
Sobriety checkpoints in New Hampshire are used to deter drunk drivers and to keep New Hampshire roads safe. Though not legal in all states, New Hampshire legitimizes and legalizes these checkpoints through statute with judicial approval. Early in the session, the New Hampshire Committee on Criminal...
Medication Assisted Treatment Programs in Vermont State Correctional Facilities
Evaluating H.468 through a State by State Comparison
February 22, 2018
Nicole
Beckman
 Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an addiction treatment program that pairs therapy with medication to treat substance use disorders. Currently, Vermont (VT) has an extensive MAT infrastructure consisting of regional treatment “hubs” and community-based “spokes.” The state legislature is...
Financial Considerations for Paid Family Leave in New Hampshire
February 19, 2018
Emily
Schneider
Paid family leave is a major issue that has gained prominence in the past electoral cycles, with both President Obama and President Trump supporting paid leave programs at the federal level.[i] Currently, there is no national program providing paid family leave to workers, but four states now offer...
Regulating Credit Reporting Agencies
Responding to the Equifax Crisis
February 12, 2018
Luke
Cuomo
Credit is a vital aspect of the global financial system, as it allows consumers and businesses to maintain a constant flow of money that fuels the economy. Without credit, most individuals would not be able to major purchases like a car or a home, and businesses would not be able to acquire the...
Promoting Maternal and Child Health in Kosovo
Policies to Address the Overuse of Cesarean Sections
January 9, 2018
Adina
Harri
The 1999 conflict in Kosovo left the country with some of the worst maternal and infant health outcomes in all of Europe. Although many maternal and infant health indicators have since improved, the fragmented system has allowed other health outcomes to worsen, including dramatically increasing...

2016 - 2017

Paid Family Leave:
New Hampshire Feasibility
November 15, 2017
Io
Jones
Paid family leave is an issue that has taken the spotlight at the national level and in states across the country. In March 2016, only 13 percent of private employees in the United States had access to paid family leave.  Three U.S. states have paid family and medical leave plans. California,...
Civil Discourse in Nonprofit Programming
A Comprehensive Review
August 25, 2017
Steffi
Colao
Over the past year, New Hampshire Humanities, a statewide nonprofit aimed at connecting and cultivating communities across cultures, has seen a rise in antagonistic outbursts and verbal attacks during its lecture series, Humanities on the Go. They have tasked us with finding a solution to limit...
Data Security in New Hampshire
Identifying Targets, Vulnerabilities, and Best Practices
July 11, 2017
Tara
Burchmore
As the world has become increasingly digital, New Hampshire has stored more information online. Many of the New Hampshire state databases contain sensitive information about individuals, businesses, and property within the state. This report seeks to answer the question posed by Representative Neal...
Secure Housing and Treatment Options for the Non-Criminal Mentally Ill in New Hampshire
June 12, 2017
Alexandra
Curnin
New Hampshire currently houses mentally ill patients considered dangerous to themselves or others in the Secure Psychiatric Unit (SPU) of the New Hampshire State Prison for Men in Concord. Patients are transferred to the SPU from New Hampshire Hospital when the security level of the Hospital is...
Valuation of the Connecticut River
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Joint-State Clean Water Spending
June 5, 2017
Joby
Bernstein
In this report, we value the Connecticut River corridor between Vermont and New Hampshire to analyze the combined economic value the river brings to both states. This report focuses on eight metrics to value the river corridor, including community value-added, recreation, fishing, managed resources...
Upper Valley Needs Assessment Research
Surveying Upper Valley Community Leaders
May 9, 2017
Joby
Bernstein
This report seeks to provide a greater assessment of needs across the communities that make up the Upper Valley. New Hampshire and Vermont have a large disparity in socioeconomic success between communities across the region. In the Upper Valley, recognizing the variety of needs can better inform...
Social Impact Bonds
A Comprehensive Review
April 25, 2017
Emily
Schneider
Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a new and innovative method of funding public programs. In these programs, an investor provides funding for a public program and is repaid by an outcome funder, usually a government entity, upon the successful completion of the program. This funding structure reduces...
The Value of the Connecticut River
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Vermont Clean Water Act Spending
April 13, 2017
Joby
Bernstein
In this report, we value the Connecticut River corridor between Vermont and New Hampshire to analyze the economic value for the state of Vermont. This report focuses on eight metrics to value the river corridor, including community value-added, recreation, fishing, managed resources, river health,...
Daily Fantasy Sports in Vermont
Legal Possibilities and Ramifications
March 14, 2017
Ryan
Spector
In the past few years, the growth of the daily fantasy sports (DFS) gambling industry has been remarkable. A derivative of season-long fantasy sports, participants in daily fantasy sports can win monetary prizes depending on the success of the roster (collection of players) they select. In the past...
Supporting Vermont's Foster Parents Through Innovative Systems of Support
March 12, 2017
Wafaa
Ahmed
Not only are many current foster parents unsatisfied with the supports offered to them, but inadequate supports may also deter people from becoming foster parents in the first place.[i] To aid Vermont foster parents and the policymakers and organizations that support them, this project explores...
Zero Emission Vehicles In Vermont
Creating Incentives for Market Growth
March 10, 2017
Estephanie
Aquino
In 2013, Governor Peter Shumlin of Vermont — along with the governors of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island — signed a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Per the agreement, the coalition of states committed to undertaking...
Vermont Arts Education
Assessment of the State of Art Education in Vermont Schools
March 9, 2017
Ashley
DuPuis
This report will examine the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive assessment of the state of arts education in Vermont. Because data on arts programming are decentralized, we analyzed a representative sample of school districts, selected based on location and population factors. For this...
Developing Autonomous Vehicle Policy in New Hampshire
Evaluating Policy Options across the United States
March 1, 2017
Sam
Libby
This report examines the various policy options that are available to New Hampshire policymakers relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars. In this report, we explore autonomous vehicles legislation across the United States, breaking bills down into specific categories...
Analysis of Civil Society in Ukraine
Prepared for the United States Agency for International Development/Kyiv Mission
January 23, 2017
Apoorva
Dixit
A team of twelve students from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College spent the Fall 2016 term studying the current state of civil society in Ukraine.  The students analyzed the relevant documents produced by USAID regarding democracy assessment as well as documents focused...

2015 - 2016

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN KOSOVO
Results of a Nationwide Survey on Healthcare Issues in Kosovo
October 14, 2016
Apoorva
Dixit
During the summer of 2016, a nationwide household survey of 1,309 Kosovars was conducted for the Kosovo Women’s Network and the Kosovo Ministry of Health on the state of the healthcare system and on the abilities of Kosovar citizens to access the healthcare system. This report analyzes the...
The Silver Tsunami
Analyzing the Impact of New Hampshire's Aging Population
July 18, 2016
Sam
Libby
This report addresses the problem of New Hampshire’s aging population. Major demographic changes in recent years will dramatically shift the population breakdown of the Granite State, particularly as the Baby Boomers approach retirement. In this report, we examine these trends and propose solutions...
Teacher Licensure and Experience
Differences between Vermont's Public and Independent Schools
June 6, 2016
Julia
Decerega
Over ten percent of Vermont’s school-aged children attend one of over 100 independent (private) schools in the state. Some of these students receive monetary vouchers to attend independent schools of their choice because their hometowns lack public schools. Unlike the state’s public schools,...
Right to Try Laws
An Opportunity for Physician, Public, and Private Sector Collaboration
May 23, 2016
Meghana
Mishra
The state of New Hampshire recently introduced House Bill 1138 (NH HB 1138) which establishes the Terminal Patient’s Right to Try Act, a piece of legislation which “allows a patient with a terminal illness access to investigational drugs, biological products, and devices.” This bill seeks to allow...
Special Education Practices In Vermont
Assessing the Cost and Performance Efficacy of Current Programs
May 20, 2016
Wafaa
Ahmed
We have been tasked by the Education Committee of the Vermont House of Representatives, chaired by Representative David Sharpe, to examine the efficacy of the current special education system in the state of Vermont. We begin by examining the legislative context of special education policy,...
Consolidation as a Potential Cost Saving Measure for New Hampshire's Education System
May 18, 2016
Jeeihn
Lee
This study examines the consolidation of schools, school districts, and SAUs in New Hampshire as cost saving measures for the state’s education system. With declining enrollments and a shrinking school-age population, New Hampshire’s schools may benefit from consolidation without education...
2016 New Hampshire State Of The State Poll
May 4, 2016
Apoorva
Dixit
HANOVER, NH—The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center’s ninth annual NH State of the State Poll surveyed a sample of New Hampshire registered voters (N=362) from April 11-15, 2016 to assess their opinions on policy issues, elected officials, and the state of the economy in New Hampshire and in the United...
State of the Arts and Culture
An Economic Assessment of New Hampshire’s Arts and Culture Industries
May 2, 2016
Abigail
Rohman
New Hampshire is a state of long-held cultural values and a strong history of arts from performance to design. Evaluating how these massive assets contribute to the economy and how the state can continue to provide an environment where people and firms can flourish in these fields is important to...
Analyzing Program Evaluation Methodologies
What is "Evidence-Based" Policymaking?
April 12, 2016
Sam
Libby
This report addresses the goal of effective and efficient governance. The New Hampshire legislature receives a number of policy proposals each session claiming to be “evidence- based” but has no program evaluation mechanism. Proposals use different definitions and frameworks, and the legislature...
The Effects of Changing Divorce, Child Support , and Parental Rights Law
April 7, 2016
Victor
Crentsil
This report provides the New Hampshire House of Representatives’ Children and Family Law Committee with an evaluation of the effects of RSA 461-A (Parental Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2005), RSA 458-C (Child Support Guidelines 2011), and amendments to RSA 461-A (loss of public funds for...
Public Banking in New Hampshire
Assessing the Possibility of Establishing a State Bank
March 18, 2016
Ke
Zhao
The possibility of establishing a public bank may offer an opportunity for New Hampshire to exercise more control over its finances, and may offer an opportunity for a public sector institution to fulfill public needs that the private sector cannot or will not adequately meet. This report...
Legalizing Marijuana in Vermont
A Spectrum of Economic Possibilities
March 10, 2016
Marissa
Cooper
Marijuana legalization is a prominent matter in politics today. While 23 states have legalized use of the entire plant for medicinal marijuana, only four (and Washington, D.C.) have legalized the use of recreational marijuana for people ages 21 and older. This report contextualizes the financial...
Modernizing New Hampshire's Electrical Grid
March 5, 2016
Patrick
Saylor
There is much potential for the New Hampshire electricity grid to run more efficiently and reliably than in its current state. This brief takes on a comparative approach between the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) in the Midwestern United States and the Independent System Operator-...
Establishing a Drug Dealer Registry in New Hampshire
February 16, 2016
Ray
Lu
Substance abuse is currently one of the leading public health concerns in the state of New Hampshire. State Representative James Belanger has proposed House Bill 1603 (HB1603), which aims to establish a drug dealer registry in New Hampshire. This report assesses the potential and challenges of a...
The Value of Lake Champlain
An Environmental and Economic Analysis
February 14, 2016
Julia
Decerega
As Lake Champlain, the sixth largest freshwater lake in North America, continues to suffer from excessive phosphorous pollution and expansive algae growth, the State of Vermont faces a costly mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency to curtail the pollution. The cleanup will require a...

2014 - 2015

Regionalization of Selected Government Services Across New Hampshire
August 30, 2015
Morgan
Sandhu
This report was commissioned by Representative Tracey Emerick to provide a broad overview of local government services with potential for consolidation in New Hampshire. From 50 potential services, we selected eight services that are candidates for regionalization. We carefully considered whether...
Access to Credit History Reports in the Hiring Process
An Analysis of Options for Legislation Limiting New Hampshire Employers' Use of Credit Reports
June 11, 2015
Gabrielle
Bozarth
The usage of credit history reports in employment decisions has emerged as a hotly-contested policy issue. For each of the last two legislative sessions, New Hampshire has considered a ban on the practice. Anticipating the possibility of similar proposed legislation in the future, we conduct an...
The Corrections System in New Hampshire
State and County Operations and Expenditures
June 8, 2015
Emma
Sisson
Prison and jail populations have declined in most states since 2010, but have increased in New Hampshire. Corrections costs have also risen in New Hampshire in recent years. Understanding the reasons for corrections cost growth is complicated by a lack of systematic information on county jail...
New Hampshire Paycheck Fairness Act
Awareness, Compliance, and Implementation Methods
June 1, 2015
Sarah
Han
Nationally and in New Hampshire, women earn 78 percent of what men earn. 1 The Paycheck Fairness Act in New Hampshire (SB 207), which went into effect on January 1, 2015, looks to close the gender wage gap by allowing employees to discuss their salaries and identify employer discrimination without...
Administrative and Road Crew Salaries
A Comparative Assessment of Vermont's Towns
May 27, 2015
David
Garcia
Vermont’s towns determine compensation for municipal administration individually, and as such compensation for town offices is highly variable. This report compares administrative compensation and across Vermont to the Town of Strafford, with a particular focus on towns of a similar size. Road crew...
Payroll Cards in New Hampshire
Examining the Effects of Payroll Card Legislation
May 20, 2015
Ryan
Galloway
The use of payroll cards to pay employees has been a topic of contentious debate in recent years. Although many states have already passed laws regulating their usage, current legislation surrounding payroll cards is lacking in New Hampshire. In this report, we investigate the potential impacts of...
Resolving Affordable Housing Disputes
Identifying and Analyzing Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes for Vermont
May 13, 2015
Hamza
Abbasi
In Vermont, the affordable housing review process can take up to a decade, involving  communities and developers in lengthy and expensive legal battles that can cause damage  to all those involved. The authors of this  report have been tasked with researching  methods of...
2015 New Hampshire State of the State Poll
May 6, 2015
Zachary
Markovich
President Obama’s job approval rating (34 percent) in New Hampshire remains constant from 2014, while his favorability rating rises to 35 percent from 28 percent in 2014.New Hampshire Senate trial heats show a potentially competitive race between incumbent Senator Kelly Ayotte (R) and current...
Developing New Hampshire Aquaculture Regulation
A Comparative Case Study of Eastern Coastal States
April 23, 2015
Mary
Andrews
Aquaculture is a burgeoning industry in New England, but current aquaculture policy in New Hampshire requires additional infrastructure to adequately allow for economic growth. Due to the lack of a regulatory framework, aquaculturists are currently able to erect illegal structures and operations on...
Defendant Experiences in Pre-Trial Programs
Reviewing Research in the Context of Vermont's Statewide Program
April 15, 2015
Gabriel
Lopez Low
The Vermont Energy Efficiency Charge
Assessing the Distribution of Program Costs and Benefits
April 15, 2015
Ivan
Hess
Created in 2000, the Energy Efficiency Charge in Vermont funds incentives and subsidies aimed at reducing energy consumption and electricity costs for residents and businesses throughout Vermont. Promoting energy efficiency through the Energy Efficiency Charge remains an important policy goal in...
Natural Gas in New Hampshire
April 9, 2015
Hamza
Abbasi
This report presents an overview of natural gas and its role in New Hampshire’s energy future. There has a been a large increase in the use of natural gas in New England in the past decade, but the infrastructure for transporting natural gas has not been updated. Infrastructure constrains have been...
Vermont Environmental Trust Fund Establishment
An Analysis of Potential Strategies
March 12, 2015
Apoorva
Dixit
In 2013, Vermont developed the Lake Champlain TMDL Phase 1 Implementation Plan to reasonably assure the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that Vermont will reduce phosphorus loading in Lake Champlain attributable to nonpoint sources. This plan proposes the establishment of the Vermont Clean...
Raising the Minimum Wage
An Analysis of the Minimum Wage in New Hampshire
March 3, 2015
Joby
Bernstein
The minimum wage is one of the most debated topics in economics and the political arena. In this report, we analyze the economic impacts, stakeholder perspectives, and public opinion regarding an increase in the New Hampshire minimum wage. The report first reviews the large body of research on...

2013 - 2014

Medically At-Risk Drivers
A Comparative State Analysis and Policy Review
October 1, 2014
Sean
Connelly
New Hampshire does not impose additional license renewal requirements on older drivers. In 2011, the state stopped requiring drivers age 75 and older to pass a road test to renew their licenses. The state’s policies regarding older drivers are now broadly similar to many state policies. Whether...
New Hampshire Wetlands Buffer Policy
A Political Feasibility Study of a Centralized Wetlands Buffer Policy
September 15, 2014
David
Garcia
Wetlands buffer zone minimum requirements are currently devolved to local governments in New Hampshire. Each municipality determines its own buffer requirement, and some towns impose no buffer requirement. This policy brief assesses the desirability of continuing to set the buffer zone requirements...
A Watershed Approach to Governing New Hampshire's Lakes and Rivers
Evaluating RSA Chapters 481-488
September 2, 2014
Alexandra
Dudding
New Hampshire adopted water management and protection laws in a piecemeal manner over many years, often without addressing the complex relationships between regional water systems and sources of nonpoint pollution. The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is currently implementing a more...
Youth Re-entry into Out-of-Home Replacement
Determinants of Repeated Placements in New Hampshire
August 28, 2014
Sakina
Boakye
When a child or youth enters out-of-home placement, one of the primary goals of the New Hampshire Division for Children Youth and Families (DCYF) in the Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) is to maintain a stable environment. With more stable living situations, fewer youth re-enter...
Child Maltreatment in New Hampshire
Assessing the Substantiation Process
August 28, 2014
Irene
Cofie
This report examines the rate of maltreatment substantiation for youths under the age of 18 in New Hampshire. Substantiation rates refer to the proportion of assessments investigated by the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) deemed to exhibit evidence of abuse or neglect. New...
E-Court Transition in New Hampshire
An Analysis of Short- and Long-Term Implications
August 16, 2014
Austin
Boral
New Hampshire is currently entering the evaluation and implementation phase of its e- Courts Project, commissioned in July 2011. The project aims to “...increase efficiency in the New Hampshire Judicial Branch (NHJB) by implementing automated systems through re-engineering of business processes...
Shoreland Development and the Implications for Water Quality on Vermont Lakeshores
A Case Study Analysis of New Hampshire and Maine
June 10, 2014
Ashneil
Jain
Shoreland development along lakes and ponds in Vermont is responsible for considerable impacts to aquatic habitats. These impacts include physical erosion, nutrient loading, and damages to near-shore shallow water environments. Before this year Vermont has not had an official policy managing...
The Northern Pass Project
An Analysis of Transmission Line Undergrounding
May 20, 2014
Anne
Ressler
The Northern Pass Project is a proposal for a transmission line route that is designed to deliver electricity from Québec to the New England area. The $1.4 billion project will transmit Canadian hydroelectric power to the New England grid via 187 miles of transmission line, including 32.25 miles...
Peer Counseling Services in Vermont
Assessing the Efficacy of Community Mental Health and Peer Counseling in Vermont
May 20, 2014
Ashneil
Jain
In 2012 the Vermont Legislature passed Act 79 following the significant loss of inpatient mental health care beds from Tropical Storm Irene. Act 79 provided resources to expand the state’s community-based approach to mental health care, including peer counseling services. This report provides an in...
2014 NH State of the State Poll
May 8, 2014
Zachary
Markovich
President Obama’s job approval rating in New Hampshire falls to 36 percent (from 45 percent in 2013), while his favorability rating plummets to 28 percent (from 41 percent in 2013).NH Senate Race within margin of error between incumbent Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D) and challengers Scott Brown and Bob...
Bolstering Government Transparency in New Hampshire
An Evaluation of Challenges and Best Practices in Online Fiscal Transparency Across the United States
May 6, 2014
Ellen
Daily
A transparent system for accessing New Hampshire’s government spending and revenue collection is an essential component of ensuring the state’s accountability to its citizens. The public has the right to understand where its state receives revenue, how its tax contributions are spent, and who...
New Hampshire State Government Customer Relationships Mapping
Developing an Efficient, Innovative, Customer-Driven Approach to Connect the State and its 'Customers
April 18, 2014
David
Eads
In the state of New Hampshire, services across all sectors are currently a convoluted tangle. In many areas, a citizen in need of assistance will need to access services across too broad a range of divisions; likewise, a business owner or entrepreneur will often face a confusing matrix of various...
POLST Registries
Supporting End of Life Decision Making
April 10, 2014
Joshua
Schiefelbein
With an aging population and ballooning medical expenditures, end of life care has become an issue of prime importance for the State of New Hampshire and the country as a whole. The Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) paradigm has become a particularly influential approach to end...
Divestment From Fossil Fuel Investments
An Analysis of Potential Impacts and Strategies
February 27, 2014
Sean
Connolly
Vermont is currently evaluating whether or not to divest its pension plan from holdings in the fossil fuels industry. This report reviews the crucial elements behind the decision to divest. It addresses the legal and fiduciary impacts that frame the decision to divest, as well as the possible...
Career and Technical Education in Vermont
Best Practices, Funding Mechanisms, and Comparative State Analysis
February 26, 2014
David
Garcia
This report presents an overview of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Vermont and nationally. A preliminary analysis of curricular opportunities available through Vermont’s CTE programs reveals that while there are many options for students to pursue across the state, programmatic offerings...
New Hampshire's Welcome Centers
An Investigation into Welcome Centers of the Northeast
August 9, 2013
Michael
Sanchez
The purpose of this report is to inform the New Hampshire state government of ways in which various welcome centers in the Northeast area sustain themselves so they may consider the possibility of reopening three centers that have recently been shut down due to budget cuts. Additionally, the report...

2012 - 2013

Medicaid Managed Care
Implementing New Hampshire’ s Program
August 1, 2013
Natalia
Agredo
New Hampshire’s Medicaid program began its transition to managed care on December 1, 2013. This shift to the managed care model of Medicaid represents an attempt to control costs and improve the coordination of health care. The shift to managed care is part of a national trend, as many states are...
Youth Suicide Prevention
Strategies for Restricting Access to Lethal Means
June 30, 2013
Danny
Freeman
As a result of the emotional, social, and fiscal costs of suicide, in 2008 New Hampshire formed the Suicide Prevention Council, made up of state politicians, doctors, and mental health experts, in order to closely examine the factors contributing to the rise in youth suicide. The committee designed...
Policy Options for Siting Energy Facilities
A Cross-State Analysis of Energy Facility Siting Board Strategies
June 26, 2013
Richard
D’Amato
In recent years, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee has seen an increase in the number and complexity of applications for energy facilities seeking to locate in New Hampshire. Chaired by the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the role and...
The Use of School Resource Officers in High Schools
An Analysis of Practices and their Applicability to Hanover, NH
June 14, 2013
Kamran
Ali
This paper examines the potential functions of school resource officers (SROs) in high schools. It investigates various models of SROs currently in place in order to inform the Hanover School Administrative Unit-70 (SAU-70) and the Hanover Police Department on the options for implementing an SRO in...
New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center
The Integration of Public Health and Medical Information
June 4, 2013
Ben
Schifberg
The New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center (NHIAC) aims to provide a forum where law enforcement, public health, and private partners can work together to safeguard the homeland, prevent criminal activity, and respond to hazardous events. In pursuit of this goal, by aggregating health and...
Broadband Universal Service
June 3, 2013
Galen
Pospisil
For over seventy years, our nation’s telecommunications policy has been based upon the concept of "universal service." Though in recent years technology has radically changed the landscape of the telecommunications industry, its spread has been dramatically inconsistent. Though revolutionary,...
Leadership During Crisis at Dartmouth and Beyond
The Role of Students in Building Community Resilience at Institutions of Higher Education
June 3, 2013
Anneliese
Sendax
For hundreds of years the assumption that both small- and large-scale communities would fall into chaos should a wide-scale pandemic or natural disaster hit has permeated public consciousness and manifested itself in local and national emergency preparedness plans. Burgeoning research in community...
Web Technology and City Apps
Feasibility of Strategies for IT Innovation in Local Government
May 31, 2013
Don
Casler
In this paper, we analyze information technology (IT) innovation strategies across the United States and assess their applicability to the City of Lebanon, NH. Through collaboration with Lebanon’s City Manager, Greg Lewis, we identify three goals that align with both community needs and the local...
Revising Trade and Commerce Statutes: Sales of Specific Items
A Study of New Hampshire’s RSA Chapter 339
May 28, 2013
Michael
Berger
Chapter 339 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes (RSA) regulates the sale of specific items in the state and can be found under Title XXXI: Trade and Commerce. The chapter contains many laws enacted in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that are outdated and not actively enforced. This...
Assessment of the Impact of the Mortgage Crisis on New Hampshire Mortgage Holders
An Overview of the National Mortgage Settlement and its Impact
May 13, 2013
Melissa
Yang
This project analyzed the impact of the national mortgage crisis on New Hampshire, specifically looking at foreclosures. We did an in-depth comparison of three states—New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine—and found that New Hampshire was impacted most negatively. Though we cannot draw a definitive link...
6th Annual New Hampshire State of the State Poll on Politics
Economic Issues, and Social Policies
May 10, 2013
Katie
Schade
Nelson A. Rockefeller Center Completes 6th AnnualNew Hampshire State of the State PollOn Politics, Economic Issues, and Social Policies.Over three-quarters of voters support universal background checks for firearms sales. Voters' views of New Hampshire economy and personal economic future improve....
The Adult Drug Courts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine
An Analysis of Effectiveness and Barriers to Expansion
May 1, 2013
Jaya
Batra
In this report, we analyze the effectiveness of drug courts in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. In order to measure effectiveness, we use four criteria: recidivism rates; cost- effectiveness; impact across race, gender, and age; and social consequences. We find that, for the most part, drug...
Naturopathy in Vermont
Evaluating Education Differences and the Role of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) as Primary Care Providers
April 23, 2013
Roanna
Wang
Vermont is currently undergoing both a shortage of primary care physicians and a reevaluation of policies in the state related to the practice of naturopathy by naturopathic doctors (NDs). This report details the policy history and current policy environment on naturopathy, identifies the areas of...
Regionalization in Vermont
Benefits and Challenges of Regionalization in Windsor, West Windsor, Hartland, and Weathersfield
April 3, 2013
Amy
Couture
This report analyzes regionalization in both a broad context and as it could potentially apply to specific small towns in Vermont. Regionalization is currently used to varying degrees across New England and has numerous benefits and drawbacks. If properly implemented, it has the potential to...
Maintaining Air Quality Monitoring Programs
Creating a Financially Sustainable Permit Fee Structure
April 3, 2013
Mike
Sanchez
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division (NHDES) is charged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate air pollutant emissions within the state through a system of permits and fees. However, the system currently faces a pressing revenue...
New Hampshire’s Juvenile Justice System
An Investigation of Current Practices for Handling Youth in the Criminal Justice System
April 2, 2013
Aislinn
McLaughlin
This report provides an overview of how the current New Hampshire juvenile justice system operates with a particular focus on the system’s placement options and probation and post-detention services. The study team analyzed two key indicators of the system’s efficacy: the juvenile recidivism rate...
Vermont Colleges and Student Debt
Pay It Forward and Other Policy Options
April 1, 2013
Michael
Altamirano
Students graduating from a college or university in the state of Vermont, they are saddled with, on average, $28,273 of debt, which is one of the highest amounts in the nation. Families of both in-state and out-of-state students have difficulty affording increased tuition hikes. Vermont legislators...
An Assessment of the Getting Ahead Program at the Upper Valley Haven
March 20, 2013
Emmanuel
Blankson
As part of coursework for a Sociology course on poverty and public policy, Dartmouth students collaborated with the Upper Valley Haven to perform a qualitative evaluation of the Haven’s Getting Ahead (GA) program. Student interviewers worked in pairs to speak with ten former participants in Getting...
New Hampshire Retirement System
The Impact of Recent NHRS Changes on Municipalities
March 1, 2013
Kelsey
Byrd
The New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) was signed into the New Hampshire Constitution in 1985, making retirement benefits for government employees a legal requirement. Since 1985, the NHRS has undergone reforms including a shift from the use of the Open Group Aggregate equation to the Entry Age...
Assessing the Feasibility of a Vermont Statewide Stormwater Utility
A Comparative Case Study Approach to Stormwater Utilities
January 24, 2013
Kamran
Ali
Given Vermont’s pressing need to comply with clean water regulations, the state legislature has expressed interest in the possibility of implementing a statewide stormwater utility. The House Committee of Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources has commissioned the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth...

2011 - 2012

New Hampshire Refugee Resettlement
A Community Integration Framework
November 13, 2012
Carolyn
Gaut
The purpose of this report is to examine refugee resettlement programs in New Hampshire and to explore best practices that can be beneficial to refugees and their host communities. We first provide a brief overview of the status of refugees and the role of the federal and state government in...
Concussion Education, Management, and Prevention Policy
Current Options and Implications for the State of New Hampshire
June 24, 2012
Elizabeth
Ballantyne
The purpose of this report is to outline the history of concussion education, management, and prevention, as well as current action and legislation designed to address this problem. The report defines what a concussion is and its prevalence in sports, along with estimates for the cost of concussion...
Methods of Privatization
Privatization in State Parks, Hospitals, and Prisons
June 22, 2012
Travis
Blalock
Most states began to develop a basic system of parks in the early 1920s. In the 1930s states grew these park systems into decidedly more substantial entities, largely through federal monies distributed as a part of the Roosevelt administration’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program. While the...
Methodologies for Tracking Refugees Longitudinally
Nationwide Analysis and Policy Options
June 20, 2012
David
Lumbert
This report analyzes available models and best practices for longitudinally tracking refugees in the United States. New Hampshire currently tracks refugees at the minimum level required by federal programs, and seeks to explore alternatives that would better evaluate the effectiveness of refugee...
New Hampshire Rural Airports
A Report on General and Commercial Aviation in New Hampshire
June 4, 2012
Stephen
Prager
The majority of New Hampshire’s 143 airports are small, unpaved, private facilities. However, this report focuses primarily on the state’s twenty-four public access airports, which together comprise most of the state’s aviation activity. The quality of these twenty- four airports differs enormously...
Grafton County Correctional Facility
An Analysis of Rehabilitation Program Options for the New Grafton County Jail
June 4, 2012
Grace
Hart
For the past few decades, the Grafton County Jail has had four types of rehabilitation programs: substance abuse programs, a GED program, a community work program, and a ‘threshold and decision-making program.’ This report examines correctional facility programs in other rural counties for possible...
Under-Enrollment and Under-Participation in Vermont’s School Lunch Program
An Analysis of Causes and Solutions
May 22, 2012
Danny
Freeman
In 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture ranked Vermont the ninth hungriest state in America. Research shows that children are especially affected by food insecurity. The federal government runs a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to help families in need provide food for their...
Long-term Care in Grafton County
Shifting from Institutionalized to Home and Community-Based Care
May 13, 2012
Natalia
Agredo
In the context of an increasingly older population and rising medical costs, especially for the elderly population, New Hampshire policymakers have recently decided to shift the state’s resources for long-term care from institutional providers (e.g., county nursing homes) to home- and community-...
New Hampshire State Fees
A Study of the Current Fee Creation System
May 2, 2012
Stephen
Prager
New Hampshire legislators recently considered House Bill 624, which would have mandated that the legislature establish all state fees and fines through statute. This measure would have shifted control over the establishment and adjustment of fee amounts from state agencies to the legislature,...
Opting Out of Medicaid in New Hampshire
A Study of the Costs and Benefits Facing the Granite State in Choosing to Opt Out of the Federally-Matched Medicaid Program
April 23, 2012
Catherine
Meyer
Given the large structural deficit of the State of New Hampshire and the significantly increased eligibility standards for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the Rockefeller Center has been tasked with assessing the impact of the decision to opt-out of Medicaid...
Annual New Hampshire State of the State Poll on Politics, Economic Issues, and Social Policies
April 18, 2012
Christopher
Whitehead
The Rockefeller Center’s fifth annual New Hampshire State of the State Poll surveyed a sample of New Hampshire registered voters (N=403) on April 2-5, 2012 to get voter opinions on policy issues, elected officials, and the state of the economy in New Hampshire and in the United States. Sample...
Vermont River Management Strategies
A Preliminary Survey of Existing and Potential Policy Options
April 10, 2012
Brian
Bosché
Effective Vermont river management is vital to preserving the economic value of floodplains and waterways while reducing the damage to human property and life. Waterways are an important feature in the Vermont environment, and play a great role in agriculture, nutrient transport, recreation,...
Performance Measurement for State Governmental Agencies
Comparative Case Studies
March 8, 2012
Tina
Meng
This report analyzes performance management systems for use within the New Hampshire Department of Safety and its divisions. The first part of our report focuses on umbrella systems for department-wide strategic planning. There are several key components to any successful and useful performance...
Voter Identification Reform in New Hampshire
Options for Reforming Voter Identification Requirements
March 6, 2012
Stephen
Prager
Presently, New Hampshire is one of twenty states in the country that does not require identification to vote. In 2011, the New Hampshire General Court passed Senate Bill 129, which would have required that voters present a valid state or federal government-issued photograph identification (photo ID...
An Ombudsman for Vermont
Assessing the Possibility of Establishing a State Ombudsman Office for the State of Vermont
February 16, 2012
Andrew
Clay
This purpose of this report is to assess the costs and benefits of implementing an independent ombudsman office in the State of Vermont. We specifically analyzed the roles, structures, and budgets of state ombudsman offices in the five U.S. states with classical ombudsman offices that have...
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Designs for New Hampshire
How State and Federal Government Retirement Plans Maintain Purchasing Power
February 10, 2012
Michael
Altamirano
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees in the New Hampshire Retirement System are currently awarded on an ad hoc basis, subject to annual approval by the Legislature. The Legislature wishes to explore alternatives to this approach. This report gives a broad overview of the different types...
Legal Aid Referral Center Incoming Call Analysis
An Analysis to Provide Best Practices Recommendations
February 8, 2012
Ayushi
Narayan
The Legal Aid Referral Center (LARC) keeps a complete a record of its incoming and outgoing phone calls in the form of an electronic dataset. However, it lacks the resources and necessary statistical tools to draw meaningful information from the data. Our goal is to develop a strategy to streamline...
Grafton County Correctional Facility
An Analysis of Options for the Old Grafton County Jail
November 1, 2011
Richard
D’Amato
The Grafton County Correctional Facility is over 110 years old, overcrowded, and in poor condition. In 2005 the National Institute of Corrections funded a Physical Plant Assessment which cited numerous deficiencies caused by the physical condition of the main building of the old facility. In...

2010 - 2011

The Legal Needs of Low-Income Citizens in New Hampshire
A Study of Legal Aid Services and Needs in New Hampshire
August 15, 2011
Serena
Laws
Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Forms of legal aid have existed since the early 1900s, primarily through private funding. In 1974, Congress created the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to provide...
The State of Homelessness in Vermont
2011 Annual Summary
June 21, 2011
Ashley
Afranie-Sakyi
The data used in this report was built upon The Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Annual Point in Time (PIT)Surveys. The Nelson A. Rockefelle r Center at Dartmouth College Center, a catalyst for public policy research has engaged with the...
Charter Schools in New Hampshire
An Overview of Characteristics and Challenges
June 14, 2011
Monica
Balanoff
In recent years, much attention has been paid to the need to innovate and reform public schools. One response to this education reform movement was the creation of charter schools. This report looks at the charter school movement in New Hampshire and the current condition of charter schools in the...
New Hampshire Healthcare Reform
The Effect of Medicaid Expansion on Long Term Care
June 10, 2011
Elisabeth
Ericson
This policy brief considers the potential effects of the recent Medicaid expansion on the provision of long term care in New Hampshire. In 2010, Congress passed national health care reform that aims to impact positively the residents of the State of New Hampshire by easing the strain of long term...
Approaches to Homelessness Prevention
For Burlington, Vermont
June 6, 2011
Alice
Liou
This policy brief is a project for the Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) conducted by the Rockefeller Centers Policy Research Shop. The goal is to provide information about three distinct Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Initiatives for the BHA. Drawing on three case studies, the brief...
Vermont Local Transportation Facilities (LTF) Process
Evaluations of Efficiency by Municipal Project Managers
May 31, 2011
Tomas
Jagelka
This report assesses the effectiveness of the Local Transportation Facilities (LTF) program in Vermont. It finds that while the program is useful for relatively large and not pressing infrastructure developments, it can be overly burdensome and inflexible for municipalities with immediate needs or...
Shared Decision Making in Health Care Delivery
Background Information and Policy Options for New Hampshire
May 24, 2011
Catie
Burkhard
The goal of this report is to provide an overview of shared decision making as a health care practice and related policy options for the state of New Hampshire. Through evaluation of current research and salient case studies, this report seeks to highlight the opportunities and challenges of...
Claremont Housing Inventory Project
Housing Stock Surveying Options for Claremont, NH
May 23, 2011
Travis
Blalock
The City of Claremont, New Hampshire approached the Rockefeller Centers Policy Research Shop about methods for surveying housing stock in the city. At that time, Claremont had just received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant with provisions attached to its award. One of...
Renewable Energy Incentives
Evaluating the Suitability of Property Tax Exemptions and PACE Financing for Lebanon, New Hampshire
May 19, 2011
Brian
Freeman
This report assesses the suitability of two renewable energy incentive programs, property tax exemptions and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), for Lebanon, New Hampshire. We find that property tax exemptions are popular in theory but are seldom claimed in the New Hampshire municipalities that...
A New Hampshire State Carbon Tax
An Analysis of the Economic and Social Implications
May 10, 2011
Lindsay
Brewer
There is currently an ongoing debate in the United States Congress over the Environmental Protection Agency’s jurisdiction in regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Due to competing interests, a federal policy regulating the emissions has yet to pass through Congress. Many experts believe that it is...
The Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility
A Study of the Implications of Treating Seventeen-Year-Olds as Adults in the New Hampshire Criminal Justice System
May 1, 2011
Lauren
Bowman
This report examines the effects and implications of the 1996 New Hampshire law that transferred seventeen-year-old offenders to the adult criminal justice system. It analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of this decision with the available budget and recidivism data. The report also compares New...
New Hampshire State Mental Health Services
Assessing the Consequences of a Decade of Funding Cuts
March 29, 2011
This report analyzes data obtained through research of past literature, consumer satisfaction survey analysis, and original interviews with mental health providers. The objective is to provide relevant information about past and present mental health services in New Hampshire, the impact of recent...
Is New Hampshire Friendly to Business?
An Analysis of New Hampshire’s Business Tax Environment
February 18, 2011
Katie
Schade
This report’s goals are to evaluate how New Hampshire’s tax and incentive structure affects business investment in the state, compare it to other states’, and discuss policies that could enhance business investment in different areas of New Hampshire’s economy. To evaluate New Hampshire’s business...
Tracking Child Poverty in Vermont
An Evaluation of Vermont Child Poverty Council Benchmarks
January 31, 2011
Austin
Major
This report has been prepared for the Vermont Child Poverty Council (VCPC), a subcommittee of the Vermont state legislature tasked with reducing childhood poverty by fifty percent by the year 2017. The VCPC tasked the Policy Research Shop to find out whether or not the data for measuring a series...
Perspectives from New Hampshire on the Economy and Other Policy Issues
An Analysis of the Rockefeller Center’s 2010 “State of the State” Poll
December 16, 2010
Ashley
Afranie-Sakyi
This report on the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center’s third annual “State of the State” poll captures the opinions of New Hampshire residents in regards to economic, budgetary, environmental, and social policy issues and other questions. In addition to reporting the overall opinions on these subject...
Poverty in Vermont: Reduction and Profiles
A Profile of Vermont Residents in Deep Poverty Prepared for the Vermont Child Poverty Council
August 25, 2010
Travis
Blalock
This report has been prepared for the Vermont Child Poverty Council, a special coalition of lawmakers, state officials and social workers tasked by the legislature to study ways to decrease child poverty by fifty percent by 2017. The Vermont Child Poverty Council asked the Policy Research Shop to...

2009 - 2010

Disability Benefits in New Hampshire
An Analysis of the Costs of Relaxing Eligibility Criteria
June 8, 2010
Karen
Doster
New Hampshire has the most restrictive duration requirements to receive state disability benefits in the nation. While all other states and the federal government only require that an applicant be unable to work for one year, New Hampshire requires that an applicant be unable to work for four years...
Self-Representation in New Hampshire State Courts
Current Strategies, Future Solutions, and an Experimental Investigation of Online Resources
June 1, 2010
Allyson
Bennett
This report describes a research project undertaken by Dartmouth students seeking to evaluate how effectively the New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s web site supports litigants who chose to represent themselves (“pro se”) in civil and family court. Servicing these people’s needs effectively via the...
One Voice
A Report on Homeless Shelters in New Hampshire and Vermont
May 24, 2010
Nickolas
Barber
The following analyses are the product of all research and data collected by a group of Dartmouth undergraduate students working in the Policy Research Shop at the Rockefeller Center from October 2009 to May 2010. Most of the data was collected through interviews with shelter directors and state...
Helping New Hampshire Achieve Its 25 x 25 Goal
Renewable Energy Incentives, Energy Metering, and Energy Conservation Incentives
May 24, 2010
Alexandra
Mahler-Haug
New Hampshire’s “Renewable Portfolio Standards” legislation sets the goal that by 2025 a quarter of the energy used in the state will be generated from renewable resources. Currently, approximately nine percent of the energy consumed in the state is produced by renewable sources. Even though this...
Rockefeller Center Completes 3rd Annual New Hampshire State of the State Poll on Politics, Economic Issues, and Social Policies
May 19, 2010
David
Glick
The Rockefeller Center’s third annual State of the State surveyed a sample of New Hampshire registered voters (N=406) to get their opinions on policy issues, elected officials, and the state of the economy in New Hampshire and in the United States. Sample demographics and polling methodology are...
New Hampshire State Parks
A Study on the Impacts of Public Funding and Specialized Parks Departments
May 17, 2010
Travis
Blalock
New Hampshire has the only state park system in America that is entirely self-funded. The New Hampshire State Legislature is interested in determining whether the current self-funding scheme can provide sufficient funding to maintain the quality of New Hampshire’s state parks. To address this...
DWI Repeat Offenders in the Criminal Justice System
National Trends and Policy Options for New Hampshire
April 26, 2010
Elisabeth
Ericson
This report examines the DWI repeat offender adjudication process both within New Hampshire and nationwide. Following a review of recent literature, analysis of current policies throughout the United States, and detailed case studies, authors conclude with New Hampshire-specific policy...
Student Leaders and Leadership at Dartmouth College
A Study of Student Leaders, Members, and Organizations
March 26, 2010
Joanna
Pucci
Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups this report examines student leadership at Dartmouth College. From the research I identify three main trends for discussion--the differences in characteristics and leadership styles between genders, the causes and practice of authoritarian leadership,...
Social Impacts of Gambling in the United States
A Comprehensive Analysis of State Regulatory Bodies, Legislatures, and Health Departments
March 16, 2010
Boyd
Lever
Central to New Hampshire’s decision on expanding gambling in the state is the social impact such a decision will have on current residents. This report examines how gambling regulatory bodies, state legislatures, and departments of health have addressed expanded gambling in thirty-four states. In...
Biomass Boiler Regulation in New Hampshire
An Overview of ASME and EN 303-5 Biomass Boiler Standards
March 10, 2010
Benjamin
Beckerman
New Hampshire has the stated goal of expanding its renewable energy portfolio. An option for New Hampshire to achieve that goal is through the use of biomass fuel. The state’s vast reserves of potential biomass fuel make it particularly well suited to this source of renewable energy.New Hampshire...
Ballot Access Laws
Determining the Proper Standards for New Hampshire
January 12, 2010
Jeremy
Kaufmann
The rules and regulations that govern the access that third parties have to the ballot in New Hampshire are some of the nation’s strictest. This report specifically outlines these relevant state laws, summarizes the constitutional dimensions of ballot access laws, and assesses New Hampshire’s laws...
Economic Concerns in the Land of “Live Free or Die”
An Analysis of the Rockefeller Center 2009 “New Hampshire State of the State” Poll
December 9, 2009
Nickolas
Barber
The following report analyzes the results of the 2009 “New Hampshire State of the State” poll conducted by the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College in May of 2009. Specifically, this report studies respondents’ answers to questions in the poll relating to political activism, the current national...

2008 - 2009

Town of Hanover Sustainability Initiatives
Community Outreach and Partnership Opportunities
August 6, 2009
Danielle
O'Bannon
This report discusses the potential to create partnerships in sustainability with surrounding local businesses and academic communities. While the Town of Hanover can set an example by instituting sustainable public policies and practices, it will ultimately have to rely upon local businesses and...
Funding Options for Sustainability Initiatives
An Examination of Resources and Ideas for Hanover, NH
August 4, 2009
Kristen
Liu
This report explores a variety of creative ways in which local governments, both in the United States and in foreign countries, have funded projects aimed at increasing their environmental sustainability.
Participant Outcomes of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) Program
June 23, 2009
Steven
Cheng
Workshop in Business Opportunities, or WIBO, is an entrepreneurial training and development program that originated in the Harlem district of New York City in 1966. The 16-week course introduces participants to a variety of concepts essential for the successful operation of a small business. In...
Local Governance in New Hampshire
Comparing Selected Cities and Towns
June 9, 2009
Anya
Perret
This report provides a general overview of the structures of local governance in New Hampshire cities and in New Hampshire towns with populations in the 10,000 to 20,000 range, and compares them to the city of Lebanon’s system of local governance.
Westboro Rail Yard Brownfield in Lebanon, New Hampshire
Remediation and Redevelopment Funding Options
June 3, 2009
Alicia
Modeen
The City of Lebanon (the City) is considering the immediate purchase of a one-acre portion of the 19.1 acre Westboro rail yard from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT). The City is additionally entertaining the possibility of purchasing the southern portion of the site if...
Campus Security vs. Hanover Police Department
Jurisdictional Boundaries in Hanover
May 27, 2009
Allyson
Bennett
Dartmouth College operates in a unique position in the Town of Hanover where the College has the right to discipline students and enforce laws alongside local law enforcement forces. Dartmouth College’s jurisdiction extends over all campus property and over all students at the College. Dartmouth...
Coordinating the New Hampshire Corrections System
Standardization and Coordination Policy Options to Curb Recidivism Rates of the Mentally Ill and Those with Substance Abuse Problems
May 18, 2009
Kahlie
Dufresne
This report was written in order to address the potential benefits of coordinating the New Hampshire Department of Corrections (DOC) across all levels of government, from county to state. It analyzed this possibility through the lens of the overflowing prison populations, particularly the large...
Funding Transportation in Vermont
An Assessment of Applicable Funding Options
May 12, 2009
Christine
Souffrant
Due to the lack of cohesion amongst Vermont’s local transportation systems, coordination is an endeavor that is currently being considered. The current twenty-six transportation systems of Vermont have been able to operate themselves through various forms of localized and federal funding streams;...
Personal Financial Literacy in New Hampshire
Assessing the Need and Efficacy of Personal Financial Education in New Hampshire Public Schools
April 30, 2009
Kristen
Liu
In the spring of 2008, The Rockefeller Center Policy Research Shop published Policy Brief 0708-02, detailing statistics and policy options relevant to New Hampshire House Bill 1462, which sought to establish an Office of Personal Financial Education in the New Hampshire Treasury Department.This...
New Hampshire Retirement Savings
Working to Ensure New Hampshire’s Present and Future
April 30, 2009
Kelsey
Clark
Insufficient retirement savings is a growing issue for both the citizens of the State of New Hampshire and those of the entire United States. This report analyzes academic research, current business models, and the retirement systems of other states to ultimately offer solutions to the savings...
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Insurance Parity
Current Status of Mental Health Problems in New Hampshire, Effects of New Federal Legislation and Other States’ Experiences
April 23, 2009
Karen
Doster
In our state, lack of access to mental health and substance care is a pressing issue. Over the last decade, New Hampshire (NH) residents have consistently reported high rates of alcohol and substance abuse in comparison to national averages, yet the state's efforts and infrastructure to deal with...
Voter Suppression
New Hampshire’s Response to a National Problem
March 9, 2009
Brian
Freeman
Voter suppression, defined in this report as any behavior intended to deter an eligible voter from casting a ballot, has been an ongoing concern in the debate surrounding election law and election administration. This report outlines the history, practices, and legislation surrounding major...
Public Transportation in Vermont
An Assessment of Applicable Methods of Improvement and Funding for Vermont Transportation
March 1, 2009
Kahlie
Dufresne
Due to the lack of cohesion within Vermont Transportation system, the ability to have an enhanced unified system secured financially has been on ongoing issue. The current twenty six transportation systems of Vermont have been able to operate themselves through various forms of localized and...
The 2008 New Hampshire State of the State Poll
Analysis of Results
December 11, 2008
Lauren
Bowman
During the week of April 28-May 2, 2008, students in the Policy Research Shop conducted a telephone survey of New Hampshire registered voters. Calls were made between the hours of 6:30pm and 9:30pm on Monday through Thursday evenings. Additional calls were made during daytime hours on Tuesday...

2007 - 2008

Poverty Reduction Strategies for New Orleans, Louisiana
July 21, 2008
Caitlin
Cunningham
Poverty is a persistent problem in New Orleans. Pre-Katrina figures reveal that a large percentage of the city's population lived below the poverty line. The storm has only exacerbated the conditions as well as the racial pattern of who experiences poverty. Many policy makers are looking to...
New Hampshire Transportation Funding Plan
An Empirical Analysis of Potential Revenue Sources
July 18, 2008
Alex
Becker
Over the next ten years, New Hampshire faces a $1.74 billion deficit in its plan to build and repair state highways and bridges according to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. In order to avoid delays in construction and potentially hazardous transportation infrastructure conditions,...
Lead Poisoning in New Hampshire
Policy Options for Primary Prevention
July 15, 2008
Allyson
Bennett
Lead poisoning has been linked to numerous behavioral problems and health conditions among children with elevated lead blood levels. This report first focuses on methods that have been used for primary prevention and then gives several policy recommendations that can be implemented in New Hampshire...
Mental Health in New Hampshire Correctional Facilities
Costs and Quality of Care
June 30, 2008
Jessica
Peet
In response to increased awareness, both nationally and in New Hampshire, of the mental health needs of prison inmates this report aims to provide New Hampshire policymakers with a better understanding of the status, challenges, and policy options New Hampshire faces with regard to mental health...
Healthy New Hampshire 2010
2008 Update and Summary
June 18, 2008
Morgan
Becker
Healthy New Hampshire 2010 was published in 2001 by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services in order to establish baselines and set goals for health indicators in the state. Eleven broad public health focus areas related to disease prevention and health promotion were chosen by...
Affordable Housing in Hanover, New Hampshire
May 30, 2008
Roopa
Chari
This policy brief explores problems and policy solutions regarding affordable housing in both Hanover and New Hampshire as a whole. The current standard for affordable living, set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is that a family or individual should pay no more than 30 percent...
Hanover’s Rural Study Group
A Process Analysis with Recommendations
May 29, 2008
Ruth
Hupart
With continuing population growth and changing land use patterns, rural character has become an important topic of interest for the Town of Hanover. Hanover residents have overwhelmingly responded that preserving the rural character of the town is important, and since 1974 the town has released...
Norwich and Pandemic Influenza Planning
Fitting into the Larger Pandemic Planning Context
May 28, 2008
Lucy
Pollard
Planning for a potential pandemic influenza event is a process being undertaken at all levels of government in states and international agencies throughout the world. Current concern about a potential pandemic stems from the "existence of an influenza virus of pandemic potential," namely a strand...
Sustainability in Hanover
May 15, 2008
Rembert
Browne
The manifestations of global warming and climate change can be seen in cities, towns, and villages all over the world, although their specific effects depend on a number of local geographical, political, social, and economic factors. Local governments are in a unique position to address the main...
Managing Municipal Waste in New Hampshire
May 12, 2008
Allyson
Bennett
Current in-state landfill capacity is adequate for the next 25 years, when New Hampshire will have to begin the potentially expensive endeavor of exporting waste, according to New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services. To extend the lifetime of in-state solid waste disposal capacity, New...
Establishing an Office of Personal Financial Education
Policy Options Related to New Hampshire House Bill 1462
April 24, 2008
Peter
Chau
House Bill 1462 would establish an Office of Personal Financial Education in New Hampshire's Treasury Department. If passed, the bill would provide financial literacy resources to New Hampshire's citizens and equip the State Treasurer with the authority to coordinate current efforts to improve...
New Hampshire Broadband Access
Policy Options to Provide Broadband to Underserved Areas
March 14, 2008
Benjamin
Beckerman
In spite of the many uses and likely economic benefits of broadband Internet access, several geographic and demographic factors suggest that New Hampshire's broadband Internet accessibility is not as prevalent as more populated and urban states throughout the country. In particular, New Hampshire's...
Cellulosic Ethanol
The potential for biofuel production in Vermont
March 9, 2008
Michael
Coburn
Cellulosic ethanol is a renewable liquid biofuel that has emerged as a prospective alternative transportation fuel source with significant environmental implications. Sources of cellulosic biomass from which ethanol can be made include, but are not limited to: agricultural wastes such as corn...
Riparian Zone Protection in Vermont
Assessment of Current Regulations and Models for Future Action
January 23, 2008
Allyson
Bennett
Riparian zones play a crucial role in improving water quality by filtering pollution from surface runoff before it can enter lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. These areas are becoming increasingly degraded by human activities, such as construction and the clearing of vegetation. While many...
Small Town Traffic Congestion
Policies for Alleviating Traffic Congestion in Downtown Hanover and Norwich
April 27, 2007
Michael
Coburn
While rural areas might not be known for their traffic, congestion is a significant problem in the downtown districts of many small New England towns. The towns of Norwich, VT and Hanover, NH have had to deal with traffic congestion in their downtowns. In Hanover, downtown congestion appears to...

2006 - 2007

Next Generation Initiative: Career Education in Vermont
A Policy Brief for the Next Generation Commission
September 4, 2007
Elise
Braunschweig
In Vermont, decreasing numbers of students are deciding to attend college in their home state, and extremely low numbers of students remain in Vermont for their adult lives. This so-called "brain drain" of young Vermonters has particularly detrimental effects on the state's economy, as a young...
Scrap Tire Management
A Case Study of Vermont
July 31, 2007
Marie
Choi
In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that there were nearly one billion scrap tires in stockpiles across the nation. The most recent data of Vermont, reported by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2001, indicates that as many as 200,000 scrap tires are stored in stockpiles....
Street Trees: A New Hampshire Primer
Benefits and Implementation Considerations
July 25, 2007
Andrew
Zabel
The benefits provided to communities by urban forestry programs, specifically street tree planting and maintenance, appear to outweigh the costs in all cases studied. As such, street tree planting and management programs may be viable options for communities to consider incorporating if they are...
First Responder Communications and Interoperability in Vermont
July 23, 2007
Kevin
Hudak
This report seeks to assess the status of first responder communications and interoperability  in  Vermont  and  describes  the  potential  of  interoperable  equipment  to assist   in   responding   to  ...
Education Report: Vermont
Assessing Pre-Kindergarten Education in Vermont
May 4, 2007
Jessica
Todtman
In 2004, education expenditures constituted an average of 21.4 percent of state budgets nationwide. As the largest single expenditure for most state governments, public education programs come under scrutiny for their effectiveness and quality and are constantly adapting to fit the needs of...
The Use of Biodiesel in Vermont
An Introduction to an Alternative Fuel Source for the State of Vermont
May 2, 2007
Patrick
Pfeiffer
For reasons ranging from environmental health to the stability and long-term viability of petroleum as a fuel source, exploring alternative energy has emerged as an important issue for the state of Vermont. One aspect of this issue is the prospective wide scale use of biodiesel as a...
Medicaid Report: New Hampshire
Exploring Measures to Prevent and Detect Fraud
May 1, 2007
Jessica
At present, more than 20 percent of total state spending nationally is dedicated to Medicaid, making it the second largest item in most state budgets after education. As funds become limited and health care needs expand, states must search for ways to cut costs while still providing quality...
Medicaid in New Hampshire
Providing for Children in Foster Care
March 10, 2007
Maia
Fedyszyn
New Hampshire provides substantial Medicaid funding for children in foster care yet often still struggles with identifying and treating foster children's mental and physical health problems. This report highlights three areas of concern regarding the provision of Medicaid services to foster...
Enhancing Retirement Saving in New Hampshire
A Final Report to the New Hampshire Voluntary Retirement Project
January 31, 2007
Peter
Chau
In New Hampshire and throughout the United States, a significant portion of the population is not actively saving for retirement. Almost half of New Hampshire workers ages 21 to 64 are not enrolled in an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. The overall effect of low retirement savings is...
MTBE Presence in Groundwater
Current Legal and Policy Implications for Prevention and Cleanup
December 5, 2006
Elizabeth
Hadzima
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) has replaced lead as an on the United States to increase engine combustion efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. The use of MTBE was expanded after the 1990 Clean Air Acts Amendments (CAA Amendments) both banned the use of lead as a gas additive and...

2005 - 2006

Funding Brownfield Redevelopment
Interpreting and making sense of multi-level state funding
October 25, 2006
Chongwon
Char
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a brownfield as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." In both Vermont and New Hampshire, the majority of...
Medicaid Report: New Hampshire and Vermont
Prescription Drug Cost Containment
October 24, 2006
Jaime
Padgett
New Hampshire and Vermont, along with many other states, are currently struggling to contain the continually rising cost of Medicaid. In recent years, prescription drugs have been one of the largest and the fastest growing component of these costs in both states and across the nation. This report...
Medicaid Report: New Hampshire and Vermont
Preventative Care and Obesity
October 24, 2006
Stephanie
Lawrence
New Hampshire and Vermont, like many states, face the challenge of providing affordable, high-quality Medicaid programs while operating under budget constraints. One component of these medical expenses is the cost of caring for the steadily rising proportion of obese citizens. Medicaid costs...
Medicaid Report: New Hampshire and Vermont
Long-Term Care for the Elderly
September 29, 2006
Danielle
Penabad
The demand for long-term care in the United States is rapidly rising due to the high growth rate of the elderly population. Along with other states, New Hampshire and Vermont must develop financially viable strategies to ensure adequate and efficient programs for long-term care. Medicaid is the...
Roles for the Private Sector in State Parks Systems
A Policy Brief for the State of New Hampshire
September 21, 2006
Tracey
Fung
A current trend in the state parks systems of the United States is "privatization" of certain functions and services. Privatization, as defined by author and Director Emeritus of Florida State Parks, Ney C. Landrum, is the "transfer of responsibility for selected state park functions or activities...
Curriculum Shifts in Vermont Public Schools
A Survey of School Superintendents
April 19, 2006
Danielle
Coutinho
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislated state accountability in "meeting annual measurable achievement objectives" for student competence in mathematics and reading. The imposition of high-stakes testing is intended to encourage schools to improve education in these areas. The new...
Renewable Portfolio Standards in Energy Policy
A Policy Analysis for the State of New Hampshire
March 13, 2006
Chongwon
Char
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a policy mandate that a given proportion of power supplied by retail electricity providers be derived from approved renewable sources. While there is no uniform approach to the construction or implementation of an RPS policy, several common and important...
Career and Technical Education Participation in Vermont
A Policy Analysis of the Factors Affecting CTE Participation Rates
February 23, 2006
Adam
Goldfarb
Vermont's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program works with high schools to provide students with technical education programs for at least one of their last two secondary years, with the goal of satisfying Vermont's job placement and business demands. CTE offers 64 career and technical...

2004 - 2005

Establishing Wind Power in New Hampshire
Effectively Siting Turbines
May 12, 2005
Kalin
Kroetz
Developing the full potential of wind resources in New Hampshire holds great promise for helping to meet the state's energy needs. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 179,000 acres in New Hampshire may be suitable for wind energy development. While much of this land is on...
Medicaid in New Hampshire and Vermont
April 15, 2005
Erin
Demien
Like many states across the nation, New Hampshire and Vermont face the challenge of addressing the rising costs of health care within the constraints of their individual budgets. Both states’ Medicaid programs are struggling to extend high-quality, accessible, timely, and effective care to needy...
State Renewable Portfolio Standards
March 18, 2005
Jill
Harris
Many states have established standards for renewable energy production and sales in the form of a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). An RPS specifies that a minimum percentage of the total energy a utility company sells must come from renewable sources such as solar power, wind power, or biomass....
Establishing Wind Power in Vermont
Siting New Turbines
March 4, 2005
Jill
Harris
Developing the full potential of wind resources in Vermont holds great promise for helping to meet the state's energy needs. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 177,000 acres in Vermont may be suitable for wind energy development. While much of this land is on federal and state lands...
Dry Cask Storage in Vermont
February 1, 2005
Amie
Sugarman
Vermont Yankee is Vermont’s only nuclear facility and produces a significant amount of the electricity consumed within the state. Although the plant’s license is set to expire in March 2012, the plant faces growing pressures to meet its storage needs in the short-term. Yankee currently...