USC Price School

Who really pays taxes in the United States—and who doesn’t? Robert Price sits down with @BCLAW Professor @raymadoff to unpack the complexities of the U.S. tax code and her book The Second Estate. Their conversation explores how the ultra-wealthy can avoid traditional income taxes—and what that means for inequality, government funding, and the broader economy. “What they’re referring to is not the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans. They’re talking about those with high income,” Madoff explains. “Those with high income pay the most taxes, but those with the most wealth avoid taxes by avoiding income…” Listen to the full conversation and read more: uscprice.page/4uDR8mi

How do we define community power in a neighborhood shaped by displacement, activism, and competing visions for change? Join us for the next installment of DUPSA's Urban Growth Seminar Series: Whose Chinatown? Community Power and Politics in Los Angeles Chinatown, featuring Associate Professor and Program Director of the Master of Public Administration Program in the School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies at @SJSU, Dr. Laureen Hom. Drawing from her book The Power of Chinatown: Searching for Spatial Justice in Los Angeles, Dr. Hom will explore the tensions, contradictions, and possibilities of equitable community development in one of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods. This conversation will examine how class, generational, immigration, and political differences shape debates over who benefits from neighborhood change — and what spatial justice looks like in practice. Register here: uscprice.page/3W89QCn

As California’s gubernatorial primary approaches, a crowded field of candidates is drawing new attention to voter engagement—and potential voter confusion. @MindySRomero, director of the @CID_USC, notes that larger candidate pools can have mixed effects: “More candidates, more money, more advertising. You’re just reminding people there’s an election and you have more people asking people to vote, which could in that sense potentially increase turnout.” At the same time, more names on the ballot may make it harder for some voters to navigate their choices. Watch to learn more on @SpecNews1SoCal: uscprice.page/4sRfxCX

The 2026 midterms are shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in U.S. history—and the stakes for voters and democracy are high. Join a timely discussion on the key factors that could shape November’s outcomes, from voter behavior to the broader political landscape. The conversation will be moderated by Jeremy White, Senior Politics Reporter for Politico, and will feature USC Price Professors Jeffery Jenkins and Mindy Romero. Register to learn more: uscprice.page/3P8Ya2d

What does it take to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders? At Torrance Memorial, MHA students gain hands-on experience through a residency program created by President and CEO Keith Hobbs. Working alongside senior leadership, residents contribute to real hospital initiatives—from evaluating emerging health technologies to improving care coordination across departments. The program not only gives students real-world insight into healthcare administration, but also helps build a pipeline of future leaders in the field. Read how the residency is shaping careers and strengthening healthcare leadership: uscprice.page/4uzf4XY

How did Texas’s migrant busing program shape the 2024 presidential election? A new study from the USC Price School of Public Policy and the University of North Texas takes a closer look at the political effects of the program. USC Price Professor David Brady and University of North Texas sociologist William Scarborough analyzed county-level voting data across Texas and identified notable shifts in voting patterns in counties that received migrant buses. Their findings raise broader questions about how immigration policy, political messaging, and voter perceptions can influence elections. Read the full story and explore the research: priceschool.usc.edu/news/texas-mig…

As the number of FDA advisory committee meetings declines, concerns are growing about transparency in the agency’s decision-making. Genevieve Kanter, public policy professor at the University of Southern California, analyzed the trend and found that advisory committee meetings related to drugs dropped by 72% in 2025, signaling a major shift from prior years. Her analysis highlights how fewer public forums may limit insight into how regulators evaluate controversial medical treatments. Read the article in @statnews to learn more about the study: uscprice.page/3PpafQN or uscprice.page/4bzBjFy

What does it take to lead a city? Join us for our Manager-in-Residence Lunch and Learn with Darrell George, City Manager for the City of El Segundo. He’ll share his journey into local government, what day-to-day leadership in city management really looks like, and lessons learned from overseeing city operations, working with elected officials, and advancing strategic initiatives. If you're interested in public administration or a career in local government, this is an opportunity to hear directly from someone in the role. Connect, ask questions, and learn alongside fellow students and professionals. Register here: uscprice.page/46PkZxR @USCCMF | @KosmontTweets

Join us in congratulating USC Price Professor and USC Schaeffer Institute Chief Scientific Officer, Darius Lakdawalla on being appointed a USC University Professor! This honor is awarded very selectively by the President based on multi-disciplinary interests and significant accomplishments in several disciplines. Professor Lakdawalla’s work in health economics and public policy continues to shape important conversations around healthcare innovation and value. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the continued impact of his scholarship. ✌️ *An ealier post announcing Professor Lakdawalla as a Distinguished Professor went out in error.

Join METRANS UTC for a talk on a dynamic, people-based approach to measuring accessibility to essential services in Los Angeles County. USC Price PhD candidate Yuquan (Wendy) Zhou will discuss how real-world travel patterns, transit schedules, and business hours affect how easily residents can reach everyday necessities like grocery stores, hospitals, and pharmacies. Her research shows how these real-life factors can reveal access gaps that traditional, static accessibility models often miss. RSVP today to attend in person or via Zoom: uscprice.page/4s5Yo8E

.@USCPrice alumna Betty Martínez Franco has won a seat on the Irvine City Council, bringing her background in public policy and community leadership to city hall. priceschool.usc.edu/news/betty-mar…

Join us in congratulating USC Price Professor and @USCSchaeffer Chief Scientific Officer, Darius Lakdawalla on being appointed a USC Distinguished Professor! This honor recognizes scholars who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and impact in their field. Professor Lakdawalla’s work in health economics and public policy continues to shape important conversations around healthcare innovation and value. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the continued impact of his scholarship. ✌️

Free expression has long been a cornerstone of American democracy—but in today’s rapidly changing cultural and institutional landscape, its meaning and limits are being intensely debated. The George Washington Leadership Lecture presents: The Importance of Free Expression in an Ever-Changing World With featured speakers: @RIKKISCHLOTT, columnist and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind Ian Rosenberg, media lawyer and author of The Fight for Free Speech Together, they will explore how free expression shapes our lives in the academy, business, media, and civil society—and what may happen if its protections erode. Register Here: uscprice.page/4sZSozh 📅 March 24, 2026 📍 Town and Gown | @USC Reception: 5:30 p.m. | Program: 7:00 p.m. | Book Signing: 8:00 p.m.

Free expression has long been a cornerstone of American democracy—but in today’s rapidly changing cultural and institutional landscape, its meaning and limits are being intensely debated. The George Washington Leadership Lecture presents: The Importance of Free Expression in an Ever-Changing World With featured speakers: @RIKKISCHLOTT, columnist and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind Ian Rosenberg, media lawyer and author of The Fight for Free Speech Together, they will explore how free expression shapes our lives in the academy, business, media, and civil society—and what may happen if its protections erode. Register Here: uscprice.page/4sZSozh 📅 March 24, 2026 📍 Town and Gown | @USC Reception: 5:30 p.m. | Program: 7:00 p.m. | Book Signing: 8:00 p.m.

SCervice is a key part of Price's mission, and we invite you to join in on giving back! Please join the @USCAlumni Association Board of Governors, Ambassadors, and the Sol Price School of Public Policy for a meaningful, hands-on day of service. We will be painting at Hotel Dieu Senior Apartments to help preserve safe, dignified, and affordable homes for low-income seniors served by St. Vincent Meals on Wheels (@stvmow). Register here: uscprice.page/4b1W7W7

Tax season is upon us! As the April 15th deadline looms over us, USC Price Professor Glenn Melnick suggests that filers look at Box 12 on their W-2. That detail tells a story of rising health care costs, and emphasizes how the money can be better allocated towards other areas like: housing, retirement, or everyday expenses. Learn more about the rise of insurance costs, and what that actually means during tax season, especially for lower and middle income workers, here: uscprice.page/3Nwca5s

USC launched the Open Dialogue Project Student Advisory Board, a six-student team that supports outreach, social media, and student-facing programs for the initiative. Spearheaded by USC Price Professor Neeraj Sood, the Open Dialogue Project highlights diverse perspectives within education and emphasizes the importance of dialogue within academia. See what open dialogue means at USC through testimonials from USC President Kim and students Charlotte Calmès (BA, International Relations), Isabelle Sununu (BS, Biological Sciences), and Michael Amato (BS, Public Policy): uscprice.page/4s0fOUr @USC | @USCSchaeffer

Spring forward (and suffer until acclimated)! ⏰ Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour today, this includes wall clocks, ovens, and your car radio.

MHA vs. MPH: Which Degree Is Right for Your Healthcare Career? If you’re ready to take the next step in healthcare leadership, choosing between a Master of Health Administration (MHA) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) is an important decision. Both offer strong career growth, leadership opportunities, and long-term impact — but their focus and day-to-day work look very different. Explore the full comparison and find the path that fits your future: uscprice.page/4sP7hDR

A major new study co-authored by @USCSchaeffer senior scholar Rosalie Liccardo Pacula tracked more than 463,000 adolescents and found that teen cannabis use is linked to a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders in young adulthood. Researchers reported that teens who used cannabis were about twice as likely to be diagnosed with psychotic or bipolar disorders, and also faced increased risks of depression and anxiety. Read the full article to learn more about what these findings mean for youth mental health and prevention efforts: uscprice.page/4rXLOZm: uscprice.page/4rXLOZm