Module 3

Blog entry#4a:

I have confirmed my CP organization this week. Sorry, for the delay I was working out some of the details. 

Write a brief description of the agreement you have made with your Community Partner.

The goal of this project is to determine the best steps for The Children's Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) to receive annual funding from the state budget. Currently TCMU receives funding from Greenville County ATAX program. ATAX is a hospitality tax given to cover marketing costs to bring tourists to the County. 

Describe the Project or Activity - what will you be doing?

My role in this project is to understand the County tax structure to determine the best course of action of being included in the County taxes for TCMU, or how to get into the annual state budget. 

Describe you schedule at the Partner Organization- when will you do the work?

I haven't had my schedule set yet. I will email my contact tomorrow to see what we can work out, and how many hours a week I will be working on my project. 

Describe the Method of Communication - will you do the work by phone? Zoom?

Either method would work, I have already had a zoom call with the organization (thanks to Larry). I have all the tools needed at home to communicate with them. 

Blog entry#4b:

In what ways are your CP's mission and/or activities consistent with, or in conflict with the concepts outlined in the Catholic Social Teaching presentation, and/or with the Hallmarks of the SND de Namur?

The CP that I am working with is a museum for children, and there are a lot of similarities with the Catholic Social Teaching presentation. Like, call to family, community, and participation within the organization. The people working TCMU are committed to making sure that children have chance to learn in their county, regardless, of racial, ethnic, economical differences. They are also looking for a way to receive more government aid, or be included in the annual budget to make sure they can keep these programs running. Overall, they are doing a common good for their community, and I am glad that I have an opportunity to help an organization, like, this one out. 

Blog entry#5:

Why is there tension between the state and local levels of government? In what ways is this tension healthy for our political system overall?

The state government limits the powers of the local levels of government, and they can intervene directly in the local governments affairs if it needs too. While the local governments believe that they can handle their own local affairs, only if the state provides them with adequate funding and policymaking discretion. The state government believes that they can enforce all levels of local government to follow any new bills that they want to innate, but are usually defeated by the local governments if they do not approve of this new bill. At other times the state government can issue mandates that force local governments to follow the mandate, and meet any quotas that the state has set for them. This forces the local government to do the states government wishes, even if they don't want to do it. The local government views these forced state mandates as intrusive, and a waste of taxpayer money that could be going to them instead. To be used at their discretion to fund programs that could help their local community. Not to mention that any funding from the state government usually comes with strings attached, that the local government has to follow to receive that money.  

This tension between the local and state government are important in keeping their relationship healthy with one another. It helps keep them on their toes, as at times they are forced to cooperate with one another in order to get a vital project done. This project could help the local and state government in a positive manner, or a member from the local government could run for the state government. This would bring a new insight to state government on how they are forcing themselves too much into local affairs, upsetting the local government and loosing their support.