About the Authors

Michael Baranowski is an assistant professor of political science at Northern Kentucky University, where he teaches courses in American institutions, public administration, research methods, and constitutional law. His research interests include American politics, public administration, and political science pedagogy. His current research focuses on the effects of popular culture on the political attitudes of young adults.

James Coleman Battista is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of North Texas.

Christopher A. Cooper is an assistant professor of political science and public affairs, MPA Director, and Faculty Fellow at the Institute for the Economy and the Future at Western Carolina University. His work on state legislatures, political communication, and interest groups has appeared in a variety of journals, including American Politics Research, Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, and State and Local Government Review.

Louay M. Constant is an Associate Policy Analyst at RAND. His research focuses on education reform in both domestic and international contexts, evaluation of the implementation of education and social policies, and examination of issues related to human capital formation and skills attainment. The research for this article was conducted while completing his doctoral work at the University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration.

Donald A. Gross is a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky. His research and teaching interests include campaign finance, legislative politics, political parties, and executive branch politics. His recent book, The States of Campaign Finance Reform, focuses on the effects of reform in gubernatorial elections. His current research continues to focus on issues associated with campaign finance reform.

Edward Alan Miller is an assistant professor of public policy, political science, and community health, and a faculty member in the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at Brown University. Prior to undertaking postdoctoral work at Yale University during 2003-05, Dr. Miller received his Ph.D. in Political Science and Health Services Organization and Policy from the University of Michigan in 2003. His specializations include intergovernmental relations, organizational behavior, health politics and policy, aging and long-term care, and telemedicine and e-health. His current research examines the determinants and effects of federal and state policies affecting vulnerable populations.

Lilliard E. Richardson, Jr., is an associate professor in the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. His research on state politics and public policy has appeared in journals such as Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Policy Studies Journal, and State and Local Government Review.