Kaito Patterson
Research Mentor: Devin Judge-Lord
Mentor Department: , Public Policy
Author(s): Kaito Patterson, Devin Judge-Lord
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 60
Abstract
Advocacy is the primary facet through which both public and corporate interests can mobilize and influence local, state, and federal law. It is through advocacy that the voices of those affected by policy can be heard, understood, and implemented by policymakers. By analyzing both the interest groups’ public comments on the proposed law and subsequent changes to the rule before and after it passes, we may gather valuable data concerning the question as to whether or not advocacy groups can provoke meaningful change. However, what is oftentimes painted as a simple “for versus againstâ€_x009d_ dichotomy on reactions to proposed rules is in reality much more complex. One such example was the proposed IRS rule IRS-2023-0019 (“Section 30D New Clean Vehicle Creditâ€_x009d_) concerning the clean vehicle credit of the Inflation Reduction Act, which saw the overwhelming majority of commenters agree that the policy should be passed, and instead differed on the contentious issue of incentivizing the domestic production of batteries for longer-term gains rather than importing battery components from abroad. Within this discussion, too, there were differing views on what exactly to incentivize. This is significant because the lack of comments in staunch opposition to the general rule paired with the fact that the policy discussion was largely on these smaller details points to the larger implication that some policy fights may focus less on an “us versus themâ€_x009d_ mentality and more on minute details from within the agreeing party.
