Bill Overview
Title: Red Listing Monterey Bay Aquarium Act
Description: This bill prohibits federal funds from being appropriated, awarded, or granted to the Monterey Bay Aquarium located in Monterey, California.
Sponsors: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Target Audience
Population: People who visit, work at, or depend on the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Estimated Size: 700000
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular institution visited by tourists, families, and schools for education and entertainment.
- It employs hundreds of staff ranging from scientists to administrative personnel, all of whom could be affected by funding cuts.
- Local suppliers and businesses that rely on business from the Aquarium may also be impacted.
- The Aquarium conducts important research and conservation work; a reduction in funding could affect these programs and the wildlife they aim to protect.
Reasoning
- The majority of interviewees should reflect those directly impacted by the aquarium in terms of employment, education, and local business dependency.
- A smaller portion of the population will include indirect stakeholders like tourists who may alter travel plans, thus the budgetary limitations dictate focus towards those most affected.
- Consideration for indirect consequences such as research impact must be balanced against immediate workforce and local economic effects.
- The limited budget and scope suggest focusing on short-term effects while ensuring we capture long-term trends over the policy's projected decade impact.
Simulated Interviews
Marine Biologist (Monterey, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could severely impact our important research programs on marine life.
- I am concerned about job security as federal funds contribute to our salary budgets.
- The aquarium plays a crucial role in conservation education, which might be compromised.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 9 |
School Teacher (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The aquarium is an educational cornerstone for children learning about marine life.
- Funding cuts might reduce our ability to organize cost-effective educational trips.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Local Business Owner (Monterey, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The aquarium attracts many of my customers, and funding cuts could lead to reduced visitation.
- Might have to find ways to attract more local patrons to compensate for potential losses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Tourist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We might reconsider our visit if the aquarium's offerings are reduced.
- The aquarium is a highlight of the California coast, impacting our travel plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Research Scientist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal fund cuts could slow our joint research projects significantly.
- Worried about the implications for future conservation initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Retired (Monterey, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried that reduced funding could affect the aquarium's operations.
- Volunteering here is a big part of my life, and I'd hate to see a decline in activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Aquarium Tour Guide (Monterey, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about potential lay-offs due to funding cuts.
- Our tours educate thousands of visitors every year, and service cuts would be devastating.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
Local Supplier (Santa Cruz, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The aquarium is a major client, and funding cuts could affect my business.
- Reduced aquarium activities can lower my order volumes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Student (Salinas, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The aquarium is a valuable resource for my studies.
- I'm worried about the impact on access to exhibits and research data.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Real Estate Developer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Aquarium funding could influence property values and local market vibrancy.
- I monitor these dynamics closely, as they can affect my investment decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- Impact on local economy dependent on aquarium-related tourism.
- Effects on ongoing research and conservation efforts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
- Potential for unemployment increases in the area.
- Opportunity cost of foregone federal support for research and education programs.