A New Era: Welcome to Devezin Public Policy Analytics

Welcome to the newly rebranded home of Public Policy. 

Long-time readers will notice a significant change in our visual identity. We have retired the previous branding to make way for a look that reflects the evolution of this platform. This is no longer just a space for casual observation; it is a space for critical analysis.

As a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) student and an Equity Fellow, my work has shifted toward a deeper interrogation of the systems that govern us. I am interested in the gaps between legislative intent and lived reality—specifically, how administrative timelines and digital governance often exclude non-normative life cycles and underserved communities.

Here, we will explore:

• The Digital Divide: How policies on the web differ from the realities of daily life.

• Health Equity: Analyzing the "administrative chrononormativity" that impacts queer health and marginalized groups.

• Governance: Insights from my work with the Graduate and Adult Student Government (GASG) and local commissions.

Thank you for joining me as we peel back the layers of public administration to find the human stories underneath.

Eric A. Devezin 

DPA Student & Editor-in-Chief 

 

Subscribe

Beyond Buzzwords: Operationalizing Equity in Riverside County Policy

In public service today, "equity" is a word we hear constantly. It finds its way into mission statements, strategic plans, and political speeches. But for a resident struggling to make ends meet in Riverside County, a word on a page does not pay the rent or keep the lights on.

As a Community Action Partnership (CAP) Commissioner and, currently, a doctoral student in public administration, my focus isn't just on saying the word—it's on operationalizing it. We need to move beyond equity as a buzzword and toward equity as a measurable outcome.

To do that, we must understand the crucial difference between equality and equity.

The View Over the Fence

The simplest way to understand this difference is the classic illustration of three people of different heights trying to watch a game over a fence.

• Equality is giving everyone the exact same size box to stand on. It sounds fair on the surface. But the tallest person didn't need the box, and the shortest person still can't see over the fence.

• Equity is recognizing those differences. It means giving the shortest person two boxes, the middle person one, and the tallest person none, so they all share the same view.

Why This Matters in County Policy

In the context of local government, "equality" often looks like a standardized, one-size-fits-all program. It is efficient to administer, but it ignores the reality that our residents start from vastly different places due to systemic barriers, generational poverty, or geographic isolation.

If we treat unequal situations equally, we simply perpetuate the status quo.

At the Community Action Partnership, our mandate is to fight the causes and effects of poverty. This requires an equity lens. It means asking tough questions: Are our application processes accessible to a single parent working two jobs without a reliable car? Are we targeting resources to the neighborhoods with the highest historic underinvestment?

Advancing equity is complicated, demanding work. It requires moving beyond good intentions and looking at hard data on outcomes. As your Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that Riverside County’s resources are used not just efficiently, but justly, to build real ladders of opportunity for our low-income residents. We aren't just trying to hand out boxes; we are working to lower the fence.

Analyzing Electorate Engagement: Open California's Latest Survey

🔍 Policy Insight: November 2025 Electorate Data

For those interested in public administration and policy analysis: Access the November 2025 Ballot Return Survey results, conducted by Open California / Capitol Weekly.

The full report, which includes detailed charts and demographic information on participants, offers a valuable, non-partisan look at voter engagement and profile in California. Use this data to inform your understanding of administrative timelines, policy reception, and community representation.

Review the detailed breakdown here: LINK

 

Why Equity and Sustainability Need Your Policy Expertise

[Image description: Diagram demonstrating intersectionality. In the center is a figure of a person. Multiple, brightly colored arrows point out from the central figure, each pointing to a different phrase. The phrases are, starting from the top and working clockwise: socio-economic status, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, and culture. Attribution: Higher Education Digest (2024).

⏰ 5-Minute Favor, HUGE Impact! My DPA survey on equity and public policy is open. If you work in governance, nonprofits, or public administration, I need your voice. Let's make policy work for everyone. Participate! https://forms.gle/nTnmHcqckopxunkJ6

Teaching Slavery: Not Just History, It's Public Policy.

Photo courtesy of Amazon

A recent article from The Conversation highlights a vital point: effectively teaching the history of slavery is a critical issue in public administration and social equity.

Key takeaways for educators:

1. Use actual records.

2. Examine diverse historical arguments.

3. Prioritize lived experiences.

4. Connect to modern relevance.

This directly impacts our curriculum development, historical preservation efforts, and our collective journey towards social justice. In San Jacinto, California, and everywhere, empowering teachers with these strategies is essential for building a truly informed citizenry capable of creating equitable policy.

#PublicAdmin #Education #Equity #History #SanJacinto

Our Voices, Our Maps: Why Your Input is Crucial for California's Future.

Photo courtesy of Politico

As a Doctor of Public Administration student, I am dedicated to creating equitable policies that improve community health. That's why I'm submitting a comment on the Election Rigging Response Act maps to the California State Assembly. 🏛️

My experience working with vulnerable families reminds me that every policy decision has a real human impact. We can't let abstract debate overshadow the needs of the people.

Join me in making your voice heard on this critical issue. https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/redistricting-public-comment 

#CommunityFirst #PolicyAdvocacy #SocialJustice #CAleg #VoicesForChildren

Check out this article: Data & Insights on the Caregiver Experience in the U.S.

Why We Need Proactive Leadership on Redistricting: A Call to Action for AD 60

This week, the Riverside County Democratic Party, led by Chair Joy Silver, announced its strong support for Governor Newsom’s redistricting proposal. This is not just a political headline; it's a critical moment for our democracy. It highlights the need for leaders who are not only prepared to react to challenges but are proactive in building a more equitable and sustainable future. This is precisely the kind of work I am committed to doing if elected a delegate for Assembly District 60.

Chair Silver’s statement is a clear warning: we cannot stand by while other states manipulate congressional maps to serve a partisan agenda. The governor’s proposal to allow California’s independent citizens commission to revise our maps in response is a crucial safeguard. It's a strategic move to ensure that our representation remains fair and proportional, reflecting the will of the people, not the whims of political opportunists.

This issue resonates deeply with my work as a Doctor of Public Administration student at the University of La Verne. My research is focused on developing unbiased and long-term policies that enhance community health. Partisan gerrymandering is fundamentally an act of inequity—it dilutes the voice of communities, particularly those that are underserved, and prevents their needs from being addressed by their representatives. It's a challenge to the very foundation of fair representation that our party is built upon.

As an equity fellow, my focus is on translating complex issues into actionable policy. This isn't just theory for me. My experience on governance bodies like the IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee and as a Commissioner for the Community Action Partnership has given me a deep understanding of how to navigate complicated systems to create change. I have a proven track record of working within these bodies to ensure that policy reflects our shared values of equity and social justice.

When it comes to redistricting, this means more than just supporting a ballot measure. It means being a delegate who understands the policy implications, who can communicate the importance of a fair process to diverse audiences, and who is ready to be a productive partner in the ongoing work of protecting our democracy.

With the AD 60 delegate election voting closing tomorrow, this is a vital time to choose a representative who is prepared for these challenges. I am running to bring a voice that understands the policy-making process from a community-first perspective. I will work to ensure the DSCC's decisions are not only politically sound but also directly improve the lives of the people we represent. My candidacy is about bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and practical, on-the-ground experience to our district’s leadership.

I am ready to get to work for the party and for our district.

 Thank you for your consideration.  Visit my site.