Weekly Round Up: July 13 - 17, 2009

Domestic

Teachers, Incentives, and Performance-Pay Programs

The Center continued its work on incentive-based pay for teachers this week by releasing two reports on how to make it work. Craig Jerald wrote “Aligned by Design,” in which he explained how teacher compensation reform can accompany other educational reforms, and William Slotnik authored “It’s More than Money,” on how institutional change must be part of any reform. And Robin Chait argued for the Teacher Incentive Fund in an Ask the Expert video.

Winnie Stachelberg discussed the practical and symbolic importance of the Matthew Shepard Act.

David Balto testified on the effects of regulatory neglect on health care before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation,

And Louis Caldera argued that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor’s “common touch” is needed on the Supreme Court.

National Security

A Window of Opportunity for the Obama Administration on Israel and Palestine

CAP published a report by Brian Katulis, Marc Lynch, and Robert Adler putting forth policy recommendations for the Obama administration on how to reach a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. And Katulis explained what to expect when Envoy George Mitchell visits the region next week in an Ask the Expert video.

Jeff Refer explained how recent kidnappings in Yemen underscore the need for regional engagement. Also, Robert Valencia discussed the impact of the current situation in Honduras on Hugo Chavez’s standing in Latin America.

And Peter Juul takes a look ahead at relations among the United States, Iraq, and Iran as both Middle Eastern countries struggle with internal political turbulence.

Media and Culture

The Coming End to the Culture Wars

The Culture War may be coming to an end as the country becomes more progressive, according to a report published by Ruy Teixeira. The political shift can be seen in this map of progressive metropolitan areas. Also, Eric Alterman assessed the future of local and region journalism, and it doesn’t look good.

Energy and Environment

Ensuring and Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness While Moving Toward a Clean-Energy Economy

Julian Wong testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on how to ensure U.S. competitiveness while moving toward a clean-energy economy. And Ruy Teixeira explained why three out of four respondents said they agree with the key elements of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

This week’s It’s Easy Being Green explained how countries around the world are making public transportation cool again.

Economy

Health Care Competition and Consumer Protection Enforcement

This week, CAP Action Senior Fellow David Balto testified before the Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the effects of regulatory neglect on health care consumers. Finally, Heather Boushey and Nayla Kazzi released an interactive map that shows a free fall on state employment rates.