MALIBU, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)

Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy (SPP) has a history of promoting “viewpoint diversity,” which encourages thoughtful and productive civil discourse. As an extension of this commitment, the school is launching a series of research projects titled Alternative Viewpoints on California Policy in partnership with the respected California-based economic research firm Beacon Economics LLC.

Through this collaboration, Beacon Economics’ team and SPP academic researchers and graduate students will explore vital California policy issues and debates from a different perspective in the hopes of driving balanced policy and political debates in the state. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide policymakers and the public with a greater range of policy options.

“Californians say cost of living, and related economic challenges are the reasons why they are leaving (or considering leaving) the Golden State. At the same time, most of the discussion about policy solutions appears geared toward greater government regulation and taxation,” said Pete Peterson, Braun Family Dean’s Chair and Dean of the School of Public Policy. “Through this partnership with Beacon Economics, our faculty and graduate students will have access to first-class data that provides real-world insights into these realities. By publishing this ongoing research, we hope to spark conversations that lead to changes benefitting our state.”

Chris Thornberg, Beacon’s CEO, noted his interest in forming this academic collaboration: “California is one of the world’s largest, wealthiest, and most innovative economies, and yet it seems to be stumbling badly. I believe the problem is that the narratives that drive policy choices here in California have not kept up with our rapidly changing economic realities. As a result our state is being held back from achieving its full potential. The goal of this research series is to look at current important state and local issues from a different angle, whether by using new data sets, taking a fresh approach to looking at an issue, or simply clarifying that some of the conventional wisdoms in our economy are neither conventional nor wise.”

Research topics will range from real estate regulations to labor laws to economic development and tax structure – and could be region-specific, centering on the state’s major metropolitan areas. The premise of the series is to respond to popular policy research with different perspectives that ask different questions of available data sources. Through its relationship with Beacon Economics, SPP will promote the new series through existing media channels and host them on a dedicated website.

Beacon Economics, LLC is a non-partisan, independent research and consulting firm dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and objectively-based economic analysis that enables its clients to make informed decisions about investment, growth, revenue, and policy. The company is based in Los Angeles and is certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) within the state of California. Learn more at www.BeaconEcon.com

About Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian university located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in Malibu, California. Rooted in the Christian tradition, Pepperdine is committed to both the relentless pursuit of truth through academic and scholarly excellence and to embodying Christian faith and values. With students at the heart of the educational enterprise, the University prepares approximately 9,500 scholars for lives of purpose, service, and leadership across its flagship liberal arts school, Seaver College, and four graduate schools - the Caruso School of Law, the Graziadio Business School, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and the School of Public Policy. Pepperdine is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Follow Pepperdine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Pepperdine School of Public Policy

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy, located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in Malibu, California, with a campus extension in Washington, D.C., exists as one of America's few graduate public policy schools rooted in the protection and promotion of America’s founding principles including free markets, limited and responsive government, and moral civic leadership. The Masters of Public Policy, customizable with five specializations, prepares future policy leaders for influential careers in government, at all levels, as well as the policy-related business and nonprofit sectors. The degree is widely recognized for its distinctive liberal arts curriculum that balances a rigorous study of philosophy and history with cutting-edge skills in quantitative economics and policy analysis.

Media Contact
Elyse Jankowski
University Public Relations
818.702.1423
pr@pepperdine.edu

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