PPOL 513 Law and Public Policy
This course examines the relationship between law and public policy, with an emphasis on local government law and policy. Students are also introduced to the basics of reading judicial opinions, the role of the courts, and sources of law. The legal authority and public policy consequences of City and County governance, including city-county consolidation, special districts, constitutional officers, boards, commissions and quasi-public bodies, are covered in the course. Related topics include federalism, separation of powers, and home rule. Substantive local government law and public policy issues are also covered, including collective bargaining and public pensions, municipal tort liability, procurement, operating and capital budgets, sunshine law, public records, and ethics.