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Urban Politics: Local Government Issues
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Local governments rely heavily on property taxes to support local government and local public facilities such as schools and the police department, but this economic blanket for leaders of local governments and the residents of the city can only produce so much. As the notes suggest, many cities have a limited amount of power, for instance, many city leaders are barred from using “fiscal authority”, which refers to their ability to impose taxes. For example, in Tony Favro’s article, “Cities are the Most Neglected Layer of American Government” explains, unlike State and federal governments, city governments cannot run deficits. Furthermore, many cities do not get enough federal aid from the government, as Favro states, “In Boston, there is money only to maintain the city’s aging subway system, not upgrade it.” In suburbs where property values are high, residents receive a high degree of public benefits and services, while poor urban communities lack the amount of property taxes to have sufficient schools which are underfunded in some cases, to other public services because of limited amount of money, the city has for public services. If you were a local elected official involved in local government, what I could bring to the table to ensure my local government was able to generate tax revenue to provide public services would be to have an attractive business model based approach, “market the city as a place to be”. Work with local business leaders, retailers, and other entrepreneurs to promote more growth and create more businesses. Maybe renew old building and make them profitable again. Also, I could ask community volunteers to help run public services. Maybe organize a donate center for the year’s upcoming summer school semester for children, where supplies, books, and other resources could be donated throughout the year, as well as the volunteering of community members for that summer. Then hold a city meeting to see what public services the residents would want to see the money go into.
Triumph of the City Edition: N/A
Author: Glaeser
ISBN: 9781594202773
Copyright Year: 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA Inc
Metropolitan Revolution Edition: N/A
Author: Teaford
ISBN: 9780231133739
Copyright Year: 2006
Publisher: Columbia University Press (Now Perseus)
