The partisan and ideological polarization associated with federal government plagues states and localities too, bringing with it significant implications for public policy and intergovernmental relations. The trusted and proven
Governing States and Localities guides students through these issues and continues its focus on the role economic and budget pressures play. With their engaging journalistic writing and crisp storytelling, Kevin B. Smith and Alan Greenblatt employ a comparative approach to explain how and why states and localities are both similar and different in institutional structure, culture, history, economy, geography, and demographics. A great blend of high-quality academic analysis and the latest scholarship, the
Sixth Edition is thoroughly updated to account for such major developments as state vs. federal conflicts over immigration reform, gun control, and voter rights; health and education reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of state and local government service delivery; and the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

The partisan and ideological polarization associated with federal government plagues states and localities too, bringing with it significant implications for public policy and intergovernmental relations. The trusted and proven Governing States and Localities guides students through these issues and continues its focus on the role economic and budget pressures play. With their engaging journalistic writing and crisp storytelling, Kevin B. Smith and Alan Greenblatt employ a comparative approach to explain how and why states and localities are both similar and different in institutional structure, culture, history, economy, geography, and demographics. A great blend of high-quality academic analysis and the latest scholarship, the
Sixth Edition is thoroughly updated to account for such major developments as state vs. federal conflicts over immigration reform, gun control, and voter rights; health and education reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of state and local government service delivery; and the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

Map of the United States
Tables, Figures, and Maps
Preface
About the Authors
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to State and Local Government: They Tax Dogs in West Virginia, Don’t They?
The Impact of State and Local Politics on Daily Life
The Comparative Method in Practice: Yes, They Really Do Tax Dogs in West Virginia
Recognizing the Stakes
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 2 Federalism: The Power Plan
Systems of Power
Why Federalism? The Origins of the Federal System in the United States
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism
The Constitutional Basis of Federalism
The Development of Federalism
The Supreme Court: The Umpire of Federalism
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 3 Constitutions: Operating Instructions
What State Constitutions Do: It’s Probably Different From What You Think
The Evolution of State Constitutions
The First Generation of State Constitutions
Formal Constitutional Changes
Informal Methods for Changing Constitutions
Why State Constitutions Vary
How State Constitutions Differ
Constitutions for Local Government?
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 4 Finance: Filling the Till and Paying the Bills
Show Me the Money: Where State Tax Revenues Come From
Show Me the Money: Income From Fees, Charges, and Uncle Sam
Taxing Variations Among State and Local Governments
The Budget Process
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 5 Political Attitudes and Participation: Venting and Voting
Voting Rights Disputes
Elections
What Elections Are Used For
Public Opinion
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 6 Parties and Interest Groups: Elephants, Donkeys, and Cash Cows
A Primer on Political Parties
Party Competition: Why Some States Are More Competitive Than Others
Third Parties and Independents
Interest Groups and Lobbies
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 7 Legislatures: The Art of Herding Cats
The Job of Legislatures
Organization and Operation of Legislatures
State Legislators
The Citizens’ Whipping Boy: Legislators and Public Opinion
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 8 Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power
The Job of Governor
The Powers of Governors
Becoming Governor and Staying Governor
Other Executive Offices
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 9 Courts: Turning Law Into Politics
The Role and Structure of State Courts
Selecting Judges
Prosecution and Defense of Cases in State Courts
How Courts Are Changing
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 10 Bureaucracy: What Nobody Wants but Everybody Needs
What Is Bureaucracy?
What Does Bureaucracy Do?
What Is “Enough” Bureaucracy?
Measuring Bureaucratic Effectiveness: It Does a Better Job Than You Think
State Bureaucracy: From Patronage to Professionalism
Politics and the Merit System
If Not Merit . . . Then What?
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 11 Local Government: Function Follows Form
The Many Faces of Local Government
The Organization and Responsibilities of Local Governments
Municipalities
Working Within Limits: The Powers and Constraints of Local Government
Participation in Local Government
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 12 Metropolitics: The Hole Problem of Government
The Missing Level of Government
Sprawl: How Metropolitan Regions Grow
The Cons of Metropolitan Growth
Government Reform in Metropolitan Areas
The Case Against Reform: Public Choice and the Tiebout Model
Rural Metropolitics
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 13 Education: Reading, Writing, and Regulation
Organization and Leadership: Schools Have Many Bosses
Money Matters
The Pressure to Perform
Many Brands on the School Reform Shelf
Choosing Wisely: Alternatives to Public Schools
Can’t Tell the Players Without a Program: Groups That Influence Public Education
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 14 Crime and Punishment
Mass Arrests and Incarceration
Private Wrongs, Public Justice
Principle Versus Practice in Common Law
Prison Nation
Issues to Watch
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 15 Health and Welfare: State, Heal Thyself!
Government’s Role in Health
How Government Got Into the Health Care Biz
The Devolution Revolution
The Rise of the Health Care State
Issues to Watch
What Is Good Health Anyway?
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
CHAPTER 16 Environment and Climate Change: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
States Get Serious About the Environment
Issues to Watch
Going Green
Adaptation
Conclusion
Top Ten Takeaways
Key Concepts
Suggested Websites
Notes
Glossary
Index