Domestic Politics in the Dominican Republic after the Earthquake in Haiti

Despite historical tensions between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Dominicans appear to have put aside their resentment in favor of supporting Haitians after the earthquake that devastated the neighbor nation in January 2010. Over the past several months, there has been unprecedented cooperation between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with little evidence of a negative impact on domestic politics in the Dominican Republic. In fact, the high ratings of President Leonel Fernández and the results of the May Parliamentary elections may suggest that how the Fernández administration handled the Haitian crisis did not have a negative impact on citizens’ perception. However, the issue of Haitian immigration remains very sensitive in the Dominican Republic, and has the potential to become the major concern on the domestic political front. As of June 2010, the Haitian crisis seemed to have little or no impact on Dominican politics, as the following points indicate: The May 16, 2010 Parliamentary elections increased President Fernández political party to 31 out of 32 Senate seats, and 105 out of 183 Chamber of Deputies seats; this is a total increase of 18 seats from the previous term. Polls indicate that President Fernández has a 54 percent approval rating. Polls also indicate that Haiti is not among the most pressing issues of concern to Dominican citizens. Instead, 65 percent of the population identifies drug trafficking and corruption as the greatest concerns. The immigration debate will remain the major consideration in domestic politics in the Dominican Republic; 62.4 percent of Dominicans polled think that the military should be strengthened along the DR-Haitian border

The 2020-21 Budget: The Governor’s Homelessness Plan

In this report we provide the Legislature context for the state’s homelessness crisis, provide an update on major recent state efforts to address homelessness, assess the Governor’s 2020-21 homelessness plan, propose a framework to help the Legislature develop its own plan and funding allocations, and offer an alternative to the Governor’s 2020-21 budget proposal

The 2020-21 Budget: Climate Change Proposals

In this report, we assess the Governor’s major 2020-21 budget proposals related to climate change. The four proposals we evaluate are: • Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan ($965 Million). The budget includes a$965 million (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund [GGRF]) discretionary cap-and-trade expenditure plan. Funding would mostly go to a variety of existing environmental programs, including programs related to low carbon transportation, local air quality improvements, and forestry. • Expanded Climate Adaptation Research and Technical Assistance ($25 Million). As part of the cap-and-trade expenditure plan, the Governor proposes$25 million (GGRF) ongoing for several new and expanded climate adaptation research and technical assistance activities. • New Climate Catalyst Loan Fund ($250 Million). The budget proposes$250 million (General Fund) in 2020-21 and an additional $750 million in 2023-24 to establish a new Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund (Climate Catalyst loan fund). The fund would lend money to public and private entities for climate-related projects that have difficulty getting private financing. • Climate Bond ($4.8 Billion). The Governor proposes a $4.75 billion general obligation bond for the November 2020 ballot that would fund various projects intended to reduce the impacts of climate change. Approximately 80 percent of the funds would address near-term risks—such as floods, drought, and wildfires—with the remainder to address the longer-term risks of sea level rise and extreme heat

Copper Content in Various Water Supplies Due to Copper Plumbing (Abstracts)

The survey covers different types of waters, including treated and untreated well and surface supplies, and softened water (private and municipal). In each case the copper values are correlated with the age of the plumbing and the analysis of the water. The copper was determined by the modified diethyldithio-carbamate method. Although amounts of copper such as were found are toxic to many kinds of fish, they are not harmful for human consumption

Controlled trial of fundal height measurement plotted on customised antenatal growth charts

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a policy of standard antenatal care which Design Population included plotting fundal height measurements on customised antenatal charts in the community. Prospective, non-randomised, controlled, population-based study. -0 defined and separate referral areas from community to teaching hospital, with similar delivery rates and socioeconomic characteristics. A total of 1272 consecutively booked women with singleton pregnancies and dating ultrasound scans before 22 weeks of gestation. Intervention In the study area customised fundal height charts were issued to each mother at the routine hospital booking scan, on which regular fundal height measurements were to be plotted by community midwives. The charts adjusted limits according to maternal characteristics including height, weight, parity and ethnic group. Usual management in the control area included fundal height assessment by abdominal palpation and recording on a standard co-operation card. Outcome measures Antenatal detection of small and large for gestational age babies; number of antenatal investigations for fetal growth in each group. Results The study group had a significantly higher antenatal detection rate of small for gestational age babies (48% vs 29%, odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1 . 1 4 5 ) and large for gestational age babies (46% us 24%, OR 2.6, CI 1.3-5.5). There was no increase in the study group in the overall number of scans per pregnancy done in the ultrasound department (1.2 vs 1.3, P = 0.14), but a slight decrease in repeat (two or more) third trimester scans (OR 0.8, CI 06-1.0, P = 0.08). Women in the study group had significantly fewer referrals for investigation in a pregnancy assessment centre (OR 0.7, CI 0 . 5 4 9 ; P = 0.01) and fewer admissions to the antenatal ward (OR 0.6, CI 0.4-0.7, P c 0.001). There were no differences in perinatal outcome. Conclusions Serial measurement of fundal height plotted on customised charts leads to increased antenatal detection of small and large babies. This is accompanied by fewer investigations, which is likely to represent increased confidence in the community to recognise normal fetal growth. With adjustments for physiological variables, fundal height measurements appear to be a cost effective screening method which can result in substantial improvements in the antenatal assessment of fetal growth