The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of interstate migration in the United States (US) from the perspective of institutions and agglomeration economies. Dependent variables used in this study relate to the net interstate migration of four distinct demographic groups; migrants as whole (MIGRATE), migrants aged between 22 and 39 years of age (MIGR2239), migrants aged between 22 and 39 years of age educated to the undergraduate level (BAMIGR), and migrants aged between 22 and 39 years of age educated to the postgraduate level (MAMIGR). Independent variables proxying for institutions are sourced from both the Mercatus Center and the Fraser Institute. The Mercatus Center¡¦s economic freedom index (the MEFI) and overall freedom index (MOFI) represent the relative economic and overall freedoms enjoyed by residents of the 50 states. The Fraser Institute¡¦s economic freedom index (FIEFI) also measures economic freedom. Agglomeration economy proxies relate to both creativity levels in state, measured by Richard Florida¡¦s creativity index (SCI06), and education levels, measured by the percentage of a state¡¦s population educated to the undergraduate level (EDUBPLUS). It is well established that crime and climate are factors that influence migration and these variables are controlled for in this study by using murder rates in the largest in-state city (MURDER) and the average annual number of heating degree days (HDD) in a state. This study uses multivariate linear regression to analyze the variables and the findings emphasize the importance of both institutions and agglomeration economies in explaining the migration decisions of US citizens. Institutions, proxied for by greater economic and overall freedoms, are shown to be more important than agglomeration economies for migrants across a broad range of demographic. Institutions are less important, however, for younger, better educated migrants who reveal preferences for good agglomeration economies and particularly creativity.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1928. / Vita. Published also as Studies in History, economics and public law, ed. by the Faculty of political science of Columbia university, no. 295.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-90).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1963. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-129).

Understanding the influence of interest groups in the public policy process is vital to comprehending how public policy is created and implemented. This dissertation analyzes the influence of interest groups on the states that were involved with the negotiations of two river basin interstate compacts in the Southeastern United States. The compacts originated when the downstream states of Alabama and Florida became concerned about the amount of water the metropolitan area of Atlanta was withdrawing from the Chattahoochee River. This study considers which interest groups were most influential in formulating each state?s position during the negotiation process. While literature exists in the study of river basin interstate compacts in the western states, a gap in the literature concerning water policy in the Southeastern United States is filled by this study. This dissertation considers the Western compacts and explores the similarities and differences between the compacts negotiated in the Southeast within the context of the public policy process. Federalism is explored not only with the states but with agencies from the federal government and their role in the compact negotiation process. The relationship between the federal agencies and the states sets the stage in which the policy process is conducted. The data were collected using a mixed methods approach of in-depth interviews and a survey. The interview subjects included individuals intimately involved with the negotiation process. The survey respondents were individuals who possessed at least a passing awareness of the compacts and how they would affect their jobs, organizations, or constituents. Final analysis concludes that several interest groups were able to wield enough power to influence not only their state, but also the entire negotiation process. The influence exerted by some of the interest groups prevented the compacts from existing beyond the negotiation period. As a result, the compacts expired and the states have resorted to the federal courts in search of a ruling on allocating water. The lack of formal federal involvement as well as involvement of a neutral party in the negotiation process are also vital to explaining why the compacts expired.

No description available.

Wilderness has inspired the imagination and passion of Americans for the past two centuries. However, the places that are most often designated as wilderness are frequently far away and difficult for most people to access. It is therefore important to understand how the idea of wilderness can be rescaled and rethought to allow for its benefits to be more attainable within common and accessible areas. Interstate rest areas provide an excellent subject to study how a wilderness experience can be designed within an area not typically associated with wild nature. The rest areas on Interstate 64 in Virginia provide a good opportunity to conduct this study due to the variety ecological conditions that the interstate passes through. This thesis explores the varying conditions of all the rest areas on Interstate 64 in Virginia and develops a design for one of them, New Kent County Eastbound at mile marker 213. This design process is a site specific model for designing a wilderness experience at an interstate rest area that provides opportunities to experience local ecology, improve storm water management features, and increase wildlife habitat. / Master of Landscape Architecture

CHDS State/Local / Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / To defend American agriculture against foreign or domestic terrorism, it is essential that states build multi-state partnerships to provide for the collaborative plans, programs and operations needed to protect the nations food security. The National Homeland Security Strategy puts states on the front lines in the war against terrorism---including the struggle to secure the agriculture industry from potentially devastating attack. The issues surrounding agro-terrorism are vast and complex and the resources of the Federal government to address these issues are limited and overextended. If states attempt to address this threat independently, important opportunities to reduce vulnerability and enhance capability will be lost. To achieve the capabilities needed for agro terrorism detection, mitigation, preparedness and response, states must collaborate to build the partnerships and programs their citizens require. This thesis argues multi-state partnerships are critical to defeating this threat as well as providing a robust response to an attack. Whether intentionally introduced or naturally occurring , infectious diseases can easily cross state borders before an outbreak is even detected. States must be prepared to act quickly to mitigate the effects of any crisis. There is a significant opportunity for states to strengthen their abilities to provide for a stronger agriculture counter terrorism preparedness system. The states can further their ability to combat attacks on agriculture actively by demonstrating leadership in implementing administrative agreements and ultimately adopting compact(s) between states as well as with the private sector. / Civilian, Homeland Security Advisor and Emergency Management Administrator, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division

No description available.

Interstate arbitration is commonly viewed as an essentially judicial process, suitable for the resolution of legal questions but inappropriate to deal with “political” issues. This conception, however, arguably flies in the face of both the origins and historical function of interstate arbitration and the complex legal-political nature of most interstate disputes. This paper offers an alternative account of interstate arbitration, which views it as a sui generis hybrid mechanism that combines “legal” and “diplomatic” dimensions to effectively resolve all aspects of interstate disputes. The paper examines this proposed account by analyzing four complex interstate territorial disputes that were submitted to arbitration and assessing the extent to which these two dimensions were recognized and employed, and how this may have affected the resolution of the disputes. Based on this analysis, the paper offers a two-dimensional operative framework intended to guide states and arbitrators in the resolution of future complex interstate disputes.