Local Government and the States: Autonomy, Politics and Policy

Front Cover
M.E. Sharpe, 2003 M02 7
This book offers an overview of the legal, political, and broad intergovernmental environment in which relations between local and state units of government take place, the historical roots of the conflict among them, and an analysis of contemporary problems concerning local authority, local revenues, state interventions and takeovers, and the restructuring of local governments. The author pays special attention to local governmental autonomy and the goals and activities of local officials as they seek to secure resources, fend off regulations and interventions, and fight for survival as independent units. He looks at the intergovernmental struggle from the bottom up, but in the process examines a variety of political activities at the state level and the development and effects of several state policies. Berman finds considerable reason to be concerned about the viability and future of meaningful local government.
 

Contents

Introduction
1
Federal State and Local Relations
19
Localities in State Politics
36
Cities and the States The Historical Perspective
53
The Authority Problem
70
The Revenue Problem
89
The Takeover Problem
113
The Restructuring Problem
132
Concluding Note
151
State and Local Revenues Selected Years 19201999
160
State and Local Governments Selected Years 19021998
164
Notes
167
Bibliography
193
Index
217
Copyright

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