Question 1

What are councils of governments (COGs)? Discuss their primary purpose and what role they play in state and local governments. How have they impacted regional coordination?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are councils of governments (COGs)? Discuss...

Question 2

What is the future of rural America? Discuss the major reasons for the loss of population in rural areas and propose some solutions to those problems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the future of rural America?...

Question 3

Why do many argue that urban sprawl is a problem that should be faced by local, regional, and state governments? Discuss the ideas and policies associated with smart growth and explain how they address the issue of urban sprawl.

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

State and local governments have had an ongoing love-hate relationship for years. Explain the legal, political, and financial connections between these two critical levels of government and discuss how they can work together better in the future.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Discuss the waves of urbanization and suburban development that have occurred since the 1920s. How have these changes impacted local government? In particular, discuss how state and local governments have struggled to solve the problems associated with political fragmentation in metropolitan areas. What solutions have they employed? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these solutions?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Nevada was the pioneer of the smart growth movement with its State Land Use Law, adopted in 1961.

Accepted Answer

Oregon was the pioneer of the smart growth movement with its State Land Use Law, adopted in 1973, not Nevada.

Question 7

Voters usually defeat proposals to consolidate city and county government.

Accepted Answer

This statement is generally true, as voters often resist efforts to consolidate city and county government due to concerns about loss of local control and the potential for increased taxes. However, there have been some successful efforts to consolidate government in certain areas.

Question 8

Regional government can be destructive to the hard-won political gains of minorities.

Accepted Answer

Regional government can lead to discrimination against minorities by the majority group in power, undermining their political gains and representation. It can also lead to the erosion of rights and autonomy of minorities within the region.

Question 9

Public choice theorists believe that consolidating cities and counties or creating regional governments provides people with important choices and promotes efficiency.

Accepted Answer

Public choice theorists generally argue that smaller, more numerous governmental units provide citizens with more choices and opportunities to influence government actions, and that competition among these units can lead to more efficient outcomes. Consolidation or the creation of larger regional governments is often viewed skeptically by public choice theorists, as it can reduce competition and choice.

Quiz 10: State Local Relations