Episode 283: How Maps Decide Elections

 Political maps decide who has a voice in government, and who doesn’t. And right now, big legal battles in Texas and California are putting redistricting in the spotlight. Professor Michael Latner breaks down the difference between redistricting and gerrymandering, why unfair maps weaken voters’ voices, and what today’s gerrymandering fights mean for the future of American democracy.  For more on this topic: Check out the book Latner co-authored, Gerrymandering the States: Partisanship, Race, and the Transformation of American Federalism Read his SSN brief: How Election Reforms Could Improve American Democracy Read the op-ed he co-wrote in the New York Daily News: How the Supreme Court Made Gerrymandering Worse

In the U.S., 2025 began with devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, followed by hundreds of tornadoes across the central states, and has recently been marked by catastrophic flooding in Texas and across the South and Midwest. These escalating weather disasters aren’t isolated events—they’re part of a global pattern in which climate change is making disasters worse, with the most vulnerable communities often getting hit hardest. Professor Farhana Sultana explains how the history of colonialism and ongoing inequalities shape who suffers most from climate disasters, both in the U.S. and around the world. Drawing from her experiences in Bangladesh and her global research, she makes the case for climate justice that addresses power dynamics, not just pollution. For more on this topic: Check out Sultana’s book, Confronting Climate Coloniality: Decolonizing Pathways for Climate Justice Watch her interview with Al Jazeera about COP29: A New Era for Climate Finance  Read an op-ed she co-wrote in The Guardian: In 2023 we’ve seen climate destruction in real time, yet rich countries are poised to do little at Cop28

On July 4, President Trump signed a sweeping new law that makes major changes to the social safety net—with serious consequences for families and children. Child and family policy expert Professor Taryn Morrissey breaks down the Republican-backed legislation, which slashes Medicaid, SNAP, and other key supports that millions of families rely on. She examines how the law shifts resources away from low-income and younger Americans—especially children—and toward wealthier, older households. Morrissey discusses how these changes could make inequality worse and what it would actually mean to put kids at the center of national policy. For more on this topic: Read Morrissey’s recent opinion article published in The Hill: Trump’s Medicaid and SNAP red tape will devastate millions of Americans  Read her op-ed published in The Progressive: GOP Tax Bill Will Hurt Children and Families Check out the book she co-authored, Cradle to Kindergarten: A New Plan to Combat Inequality   DrKfdZ5s5lsT6o5wu9hU

Gun violence is down, but you wouldn’t know it from the headlines. This progress didn’t happen by accident—it’s at least partially the result of smart, targeted strategies that address the root causes of violence. Professor Daniel Semenza explains what’s working, drawing lessons from Camden’s dramatic shift from “murder capital” to record-low homicide rates, and what we stand to lose as federal support for violence prevention is being rolled back. For more on this topic: Read Semenza’s op-ed in Common Dreams Check out a research paper he co-authored: In-person and media gun violence exposure in the United States

When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the entire federal vaccine advisory committee and installed new members, it raised alarms across the public health world. At the same time, measles is making a comeback as more Americans are hesitant about getting vaccines. Professor Lindsey Haynes-Maslow explains how we got here and what it will take to rebuild public trust. Drawing on her work in community-based health outreach, she shares why clear, consistent communication is critical for vaccine education and how local leaders and trusted messengers can help cut through the noise. For more on this topic: Watch Haynes-Maslow’s video, “A Journey through Public Health: Health Policy,” produced by UNC’s Department of Health Policy and Management. Check out her work on immunization education and vaccine hesitancy at EXCITE.   

Congress is in the middle of a high-stakes budget debate that includes fighting over tax policy and funding for many vital public programs. But what’s often missing from that budget debate is a focus on the people these decisions affect, especially kids. Professor Jean Junior explains how tax policy choices made on Capitol Hill directly affect health and well-being, and why taxes can be a powerful tool to improve health outcomes for everyone. Drawing from her experience as a pediatrician, Professor Junior challenges us to see policy choices through the eyes of a doctor by putting people’s well-being first. For more on this topic: Read Junior’s SSN brief, Tax Policy as a Potential Tool for Reducing Infant Mortality. Check out her study, Association of State-Level Tax Policy and Infant Mortality in the United States, 1996-2019.  

Under the Trump administration, major changes at key consumer protection agencies, including widespread staff cuts and rule rollbacks, are raising concerns about the future of efforts to curb unfair or deceptive financial practices. Professor Terri Friedline explains what’s been happening at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, why it matters, and how these shifts impact the people who can least afford to be left unprotected. And she draws on her research to highlight how the financial system has left many behind, despite the promises of new financial technologies.   For more on this topic:  Read Friedline’s commentary about how financial technology firms prey on the poor in Truthout  Check out her book, Banking on a Revolution: Why Financial Technology Won’t Save a Broken System   

As Republican lawmakers push for major budget cuts, Medicaid is in the crosshairs. Professor Nicole Huberfeld breaks down why Medicaid matters to millions of Americans and what makes proposed changes—like work requirements and block grants—so complex and potentially harmful. She moves beyond policy details to explore the real-world impact: how budget cuts could hit the most vulnerable, put pressure on hospitals, and widen healthcare disparities between states.    For more on this topic:  Read Huberfeld’s piece about the challenges of trimming Medicaid in The Conversation, co-authored with Paul Shafer. Explore her law casebook, The Law of American Health Care, co-written with Elizabeth Weeks Leonard, Kevin Outterson, and Matthew Lawrence.

Higher education is under fire—from attacks on DEI to threats against research funding, political pressure is mounting fast. While headlines often focus on elite and Ivy League schools, Professor Cecilia Orphan reminds us that regional public universities and rural institutions are also in the crosshairs. These essential but often-overlooked institutions serve diverse student bodies, support regional infrastructure, and anchor local communities. Orphan traces the roots of today’s political backlash and makes the case that if colleges want to keep serving the public good, they’ll need to get organized and push back, together.   For more on this topic:    Read Orphan’s report on regional public universities in Third Way, co-authored with Mac Wetherbee. Read her key findings brief, Why Regional Comprehensive Universities are Vital Parts of U.S. Higher Education.

As the Social Security Administration faces a wave of staffing cuts and administrative shakeups, what’s at stake for the millions who depend on it? Brookings Institution economist Dr. Gopi Shah Goda discusses what these behind-the-scenes changes mean—and why some of the loudest political talking points about fraud and inefficiency don’t hold up. She also explores what is needed to keep the program strong amid looming financial shortfalls. For more on this topic: Read Goda’s commentary about expanding Medicare’s in-home care coverage at the Brookings Institution.