As the world experiences increasing ties through migration, communications, trade, and cultural contacts, global issues frequently become local ones. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good example of a worldwide crisis that has required local and state governmental authorities to make policies in response, from mask requirements to business closures to online school. Local responses to global issues may be centered on economics, politics, or cultural identity, and local policies may draw both support and opposition from local residents. In this assignment, you will play the role of a citizen responding to the local impacts of a global issue by writing an opinion-editorial (op-ed) piece to the local press.

Imagine your local area is experiencing changes resulting from a global influence. As a result, it will be up to a local authority to respond by making a new policy. In an op-ed, identify the issue facing the local area, the policy proposal to address it, and the local governing body you are trying to influence (schoolboard, city council, county board of commissioners, or other as appropriate) through your op-ed.

You may select an issue and a policy proposal on your own or use the Hamilton Project website to select a policy proposal. Go to  web page and use the second (All Topics) and third (All Paper Types) drop-down menus to filter for a topic and a policy proposal. Select a policy proposal that you will pretend is being proposed in your local area to address a challenge related to a global influence. Write your op-ed either for or against the policy proposal you select.

Your op-ed should be 3–4 pages and cover the following: