The Public Policy Institute of California is an independent, non-profit research institution. Based in San Francisco, California, the institute was established in 1994 by Bill Hewlett, of Hewlett-Packard, Roger Heyns, and Arjay Miller, with a $70 million endowment from Hewlett.Research by the institute focuses on population issues, the economy, governance and public finance. The PPIC also conducts polls of public opinion on issues related to California public policy. It disseminates its research to state, local, and federal officials, as well as non-profit and private sectors leaders, public media, and the general public. It has organized conferences to focus on significant policy issues, such as the effects of California ballot propositions.The institute has a visiting fellows program for scholars and a summer intern program for graduate students..
This paper provides the first national analysis of how public scrutiny from high-profile police killings affect local policing and crime. These killings reduce arrests for low-level offenses without affecting arrests for serious crimes. They also result in a significant increase in serious offenses, particularly murders and robberies. The effects appear after communities become aware of the incident and are larger when media coverage is higher. The findings suggest that scrutiny drives the reductions in arrests, while the incidents themselves—not reduced police activity—prompt the increases in crime. To mitigate crime, localities should focus on reducing police use of force.
In the digital age, where financial technologies (FinTech) are transforming personal finance behavior, equipping undergraduate economics students with Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) is essential. This study investigates the integration of Personal Finance Education (PFE) in economics curricula across Vietnamese universities and evaluates its impact on students’ financial capability. A mixed-methods approach was employed: content analysis of 120 course syllabi from six universities, combined with a quantitative survey of 400 third- and fourth-year economics students. Findings show that only 9.6% of programs include mandatory PFE courses. Regression analysis reveals that students who completed a PFE course scored significantly higher in PFL (Beta = 0.40, p < 0.001) even after controlling for income, gender, academic performance, and digital financial behavior. Notably, FinTech use not only has a direct positive effect on PFL (Beta = 0.35) but also amplifies the effectiveness of PFE through a significant interaction effect (Beta = 0.22). This suggests that digital engagement enhances financial education outcomes. The paper calls for a systemic shift toward integrating compulsory PFE in economics programs, aligned with FinTech practices and active learning strategies. Such an approach supports the development of financially capable, digitally fluent graduates, prepared for the complexities of the modern financial landscape.
This paper conducts a comparative analysis of green finance policies in the European Union (EU), China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), aiming to draw relevant policy implications for Vietnam in the context of green transition. By examining legal frameworks, incentive mechanisms, financial instruments, and private sector involvement, the study reveals that each region follows a distinct approach. The EU stands out for its comprehensive legal architecture, including the EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities and stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure requirements. China adopts a state-led green finance model, with a strong policy push and oversight by the People’s Bank of China, combining regulatory incentives and financial guidance. ASEAN, meanwhile, is in a formative stage of policy development, focusing on harmonizing green standards, promoting regional green bond markets, and enhancing cross-border cooperation. Based on these insights, the paper proposes strategic recommendations for Vietnam, including the development of a robust legal framework for green finance, the establishment of a national taxonomy aligned with domestic priorities, and the strengthening of financial institutions and regulatory capacities. In addition, the paper emphasizes the need to incentivize private sector participation and create an efficient green capital market. The findings contribute significantly to Vietnam’s efforts in building a resilient green finance ecosystem that supports long-term sustainable growth. This study offers valuable guidance for policymakers, regulators, and financial actors engaged in the green transition.
Climate change is impacting wildfires in the contiguous United States; thus, projections of fire danger under climate change have the potential to inform responses to changing wildfire risks. We calculate fire indices for 13 dynamically downscaled regional climate models, then count days exceeding relevant fire danger thresholds, and compare future changes for mid-and late-twenty-first century relative to a historical reference period. We then compare the responses of the fire indices to highlight areas of agreement and disagreement on the sign and magnitude of future change in fire danger days. Many regions in the domain experience increases in the number of days exceeding fire danger thresholds by the midcentury. The regions which exhibit agreement across the simulation ensemble on the sign of change, and the magnitude of that change, vary greatly between indices. The timing and frequency of fire danger days (defined as days exceeding fire danger thresholds) throughout the year change, both in the shoulder season and during existing peaks in fire danger. By the end of the century, most of the domain experiences statistically significant increases in the number of fire danger days. Complex interactions between input variables, and the sensitivities to inputs, affect the response of fire indices under climate change. The projected increase in fire weather risk could place greater demands upon fire management resources, pose elevated hazards for populations exposed to fire, and potentially disrupt landscapes and infrastructure more frequently.
