
Josh Priest
Social Policy Intern
LEadership
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Josh is in his second year of PPE at Oxford University. His interests include economic theory, political philosophy, and economic and social policy. He has experience in think-tanks, strategy consulting, and student activism, and hopes to study a Master’s in economics or public policy. He has been writing for YIP since November 2021.
Published Policy Briefs
Right to Privacy vs. Right to Life: the Fight over Abortion Laws
The most restrictive abortion law in the country, Texas Senate Bill 8, went into effect on September 1, 2021. Unlike other legislation, the state does not regulate Senate Bill 8, leaving it to the citizens to enforce it.
Raising Them Right: Public Early Education in America
Ever since Johnson’s presidency, early childhood education has been a relevant policy issue in the U.S. government. Despite the ongoing conversation, no policy option has achieved the support necessary to be implemented. As the cost of private childcare and early education continues to rise, the need for public funding grows. The Biden administration is attempting to solve the problem through a $400bn provision in the Build Back Better bill, but has faced significant resistance from both other legislators and states themselves.
Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free: Mass Incarceration in the United States
Mass incarceration has been a part of the United States for decades. Various elected officials and advocacy groups have proposed alternatives to mass incarceration, but none of these options have been successfully adopted yet.
Make Housing Affordable Again
Congress has tried multiple bills over the years to provide affordable housing. The problem has only increased. This is unlikely to improve unless Congress takes meaningful action. The bill in question - the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act - provides solutions to many of the issues faced.
Going Nowhere Fast? Public Transportation in the US
Public transport doesn’t grab many headlines, but it is a significant social policy issue. In many places it is underprovided relative to the actual level of demand, which accounts for environmental issues and community needs. Existing public transport often ends up reflecting or reinforcing socio-economic inequalities due to the way it is funded. Privatization is unlikely to be a good solution here, as in this industry markets tend not to yield the desirable outcomes. Governments, both local and federal, could help address the demand for cheap, clean, and high-quality public transport, through a mixture of direct interventions and subsidies or tax incentives.
Criminal, Medical, or Recreational? Drug Legalization in the United States
With more states taking progressive stances and legalizing marijuana and other drugs for medical and recreational purposes in the past several years, the debate has grown rapidly. All of this policy is highly controversial.
A Big Step Backwards
The gay rights movement in the US has been gaining traction for the past several decades. From the overturn of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 to allowing trans athletes to compete in athletics, major strides have been made. However, these steps forward do not guarantee the protection of gay rights, as is demonstrated in the anit-queer legislation widely called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This bill has the potential to do significant harm to students, and may not be the most effective way to protect children from damaging content.
Fellowship Projects
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Published Opinion Articles
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