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We have conducted a wide range of research that has been used to help chart public policy. Our work has included qualitative research on tax policy for the Democratic leadership of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Deliberative Polls, used to meet public input requirements for the Texas Public Utility Commission, surveys to guide strategy for issue advocates in public referenda, and research to educate legislators and regulators.
Case StudiesTexas Department of Transportation
Problem:
The department was involved in condemnation proceedings against a number of
large malls regarding the amount of compensation to be paid for taking a
relatively small number of parking places from each mall. At the time, the
courts had held that, if any part of an enterprise’s property was
taken for highway expansion, that enterprise could seek reparations, not only
for the actual property taken, but also for any damage the enterprise might
suffer because of the expansion. The malls claimed they
would suffer substantial losses of business as a result of the
condemnations and were asking for very large settlements. Solution: We determined that the justification of the claims made by the malls could be tested empirically. We designed a study in which we identified actual mall users and their means of access to the mall by videotaping license plates and cross-referencing them to the Department of Transportation license database. We then surveyed them about issues related to the mall owners’ claims. The survey included questions about issues such as traffic patterns and how they learned about the mall. We also designed an experiment to test the impact of motorists being able to see the mall from the highway. In one instance, we proposed a signage allowance to mitigate the perceived damage from reduced visibility. Results: The research results allowed us to empirically disprove elements used in justifying the mall owners’ claims. The results were successfully used in negotiating damages in the condemnation proceedings. One settlement was made for one-third of the original demand. Excel CommunicationsProblem: The Texas Public Utility Commission assumed an increase in reported instances of slamming indicated that Excel was doing a poor job on this critical performance measure. Solution: Sometimes data already exists that may be either ignored or misunderstood. As part of a hearing before the Texas Public Utility Commission, we performed our own analysis of the slamming data, looking not only at our client's reported results over time, but at results for other carriers. Results: Our analysis demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the commission, that the apparent increase was due to a change in reporting requirements and that, relative to the competition Excel was performing exceptionally. At the end of the hearing Excel was cited by the commission for the quality of their procedures to prevent slamming. Texas Electric Utility Deliberative Polls
Problem:
The Public
Utility Commission of Texas required electric utilities in Texas to obtain
public input in planning to meet future energy needs. Traditionally, this is
done with town meetings, but that process brings out special interest groups far
more than the public at large. Because most people have never thought
about energy issues, conventional surveys were inappropriate, and focus groups
would not statistically represent the public at large. Solution: We adopted the methodology of Deliberative PollingTM to gather informed public opinion. In this process we conducted a telephone survey, asking respondent opinions about energy issues and, then, inviting respondents to come to a town meeting. In this meeting, we provided balanced information about energy issues and held discussion groups, in which experts and advocates were questioned by participants. At the conclusion of the event, we conducted a second survey of participants to measure opinions and attitudes after their education and deliberation on the issues. Results: The Public Utility Commission found this to be an excellent way to gather informed public opinion. We performed this service for eight utility clients. All found the methodology very persuasive and incorporated the results into their future planning. They received favorable publicity for using the Deliberative PollingTM method in consulting their customers. Finally, the results of the project were so compelling they affected legislation on the deregulation of electric utilities. Partial Client ListDemocratic Leadership for the United States Senate Finance Committee
Excel
Communications OKI telecom
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