In the News
KU professor co-edits advice paper for Obama
Publication date: Jan. 26, 2009
Source: University Daily Kansan
Author: Brianne Pfannenstiel
Robert L. Glicksman, the Robert W. Wagstaff Distinguished Professor of Law, is quoted in a University Daily Kansan story about a report by the Center for Progressive Reform that urges President Obama to take swift action to protect public health and the environment during his first 100 days in office. Glicksman contributed to the paper titled "Protecting Public Health and the Environment by the Stroke of a Pen: Seven Executive Orders for the President's First 100 Days" as a member-scholar of the Center.
The University Daily Kansan writes:
The report urges the president to issue seven executive orders that focus on climate change and environmental justice, transparency within the government and public health.
"We were urging him to act quickly as a symbolic gesture of a bigger commitment to health, safety and environmental protection than we've had in the past eight years and as a practical step that would move us in the right direction," Glicksman said.
The group limited the recommendations to activities the president could make without assistance from Congress to expedite the process, Glicksman said.
"We recognize that Congressional action is likely to take a significant amount of time, but the president, unilaterally through executive order, could get it done with the stroke of a pen."
...
Glicksman said that while he thought the state of the economy and foreign policy were important, he still wanted to make sure an appropriate amount of attention was given to other issues.
"I think environmental and health and safety risks can threaten the security of the nation in the same way that foreign affairs concerns can," Glicksman said. "I think in terms of achieving economic security, a healthy productive population is more likely to achieve economic success."
