FEDERAL DEVOLUTION: THE VIEW FROM THE STATES

Public Economics,

Mr. Justice Roland Ritchie: A Biography

Mr. Justice Roland Almon Ritchie (1910-1988) was the most recent Nova Scotian to have been on the bench of the Supreme Court of Canada, serving for a quarter-century (1959-1984). Judicial biographies in this country are rare enough that any addition to the literature can be justified but Ritchie is an especially intriguing choice. He served on the bench for a long period, there is a wealth of information regarding his formative years courtesy of the published diaries of his older brother, Charles, and he is regarded as the embodiment of conservatism in a court that has frequently been described as conservative or captive

URBAN AND RURAL DIFFERENCES IN UTILIZATION OF STATE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS: MINNESOTA'S EXPERIENCE

This paper examines utilization rates of Minnesota's earned income tax credit program by households on welfare from 1992 through 1999. We examine urban and rural differences in the rate of filing an income tax return and receiving the earned income tax credit. Tabulations show that urban areas have the lowest utilization rates, but are catching up in both income tax filing rates and earned income credit receipt rates. Regression analyses identify correlates to urban-rural differences. A modeling exercise examines how urban and rural households might respond to a 10 percent increase in the credit. Finally, policy suggestions are offered, which are relevant to urban and rural areas and are appropriate for other states.Food Security and Poverty,

Gender Negotiation on the East Tennessee Frontier: An Example from the Bell Site

Archaeological investigations involving questions of gender have become more prominent in recent years. Material recovered from the Bell Site (40KN202), the remains of an 18th-century log house in Knoxville, Tennessee is examined to determine the role of women on the East Tennessee frontier. Historical information concerning social structuring of gender roles in the 18th and 19th century America is examined to determine the social factors involved in gender construction, and the impact these factors may have had on women living on the East Tennessee frontier. This documentary data is then compared with artifacts excavated at 40KN202. The role of women at the site may be seen by dividing material culture into “masculine” and “feminine” categories, allowing the investigator to better recognize women’s presence in the archaeological record. This information is compared with other contemporary East Tennessee frontier sites to locate the occupants of the Bell Site within the social fabric in which they lived. The conclusion of this research indicate that women’s role on the Appalachian frontier has been long ignored. Contrary to popular 18th and 19th-century notions of femininity, women on the frontier strove to negotiate strict social dictates of feminine behavior while surviving on the unpredictable frontier

Bail in the Time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020 resulted in changes to both the form and content of bail hearings and reviews within Ontario. While the statutory framework contained within sections 515, 520, 525 and 679 of the Criminal Code remained unchanged, practical changes were necessary in order to allow bail matters to occur virtually and safely. Initially, the existence of COVID-19 may have allowed for the release of some accused persons who would not have been let out on bail prior to the pandemic. By early 2021, bail courts appear to have settled into a pattern where the COVID-19 pandemic could be a factor that could lead to release, usually under the tertiary grounds in clause 515(10)(c) of the Criminal Code, for any particular defendant, as long as some medical evidence, specific to that accused, could be presented to the court

WAS FAIR FAIR TO U.S. CORN GROWERS? AN ANALYSIS OF THE PAYMENTS OFFERED TO CORN GROWERS UNDER THE 1996 FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT

The 1996 Farm Bill (FAIR) dramatically changed agricultural policy for producers of many commodities. A series of 7 annual decoupled payments replaced the deficiency-payment program. Option-pricing techniques are used to determine whether program benefits to corn producers are smaller or larger under the new program than the old.Agricultural and Food Policy,

How Should America's Anti-Terrorism Budget Be Allocated? Findings from a National Survey of Attitudes of U.S. Residents about Terrorism

U.S. residents are very concerned about future terrorist attacks and they are willing to commit substantial sums to prevent further terrorist acts. Protecting against another 9/11 style incident is important, but U.S. residents are more concerned about protecting the food supply system and preventing release of chemical or biological agents in public areas. On average respondents would allocate 13.3 percent more to protect the food supply chain and 12.0 percent more to protect against release of a toxic chemical or biological agent than they would to protect against another terrorist attack using hijacked aircraft. Approximately $5 billion is currently spent to protect civil aviation. The 2006 budget provided$8.6 billion of fiscal authority for programs protecting against all types of catastrophic terrorist incidents, including protection against radiological or nuclear incidents, as well as protecting the food supply and preventing chemical or biological attacks. No one would argue that decisions on the size and internal allocation of the nation's homeland security budget should be made on the basis of a public opinion survey, but this survey indicates that Americans would likely support additional spending to defend the food system and protect against release of a chemical or biological agent.Political Economy,

Defending America's Food Supply Against Terrorism: Who is Responsible? Who Should Pay?

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Q18, H44, H56,

Minnesota Agricultural Economist 687

Agricultural and Food Policy,

THE NEW FEDERALISM: WHAT IT MEANS FOR MINNESOTANS

Public Economics,