The central questions in state and local government law have long turned on the legal and territorial scope of local policy-making autonomy. Lawmakers, judges, and scholars have frequently clashed over the meaning and dimensions of home rule, the external effects of local actions, the resolution of conflicts among local governments, and the tax and service inequalities that typically result from the delegation of regulatory, revenue-raising and service-delivery powers to local governments with sharply different resources. This year’s program will focus on cutting edge scholarship that addresses different facets of the city as political actor. Our panelists will discuss fiscal home rule, the relationship between home rule and federalism, the obligations of cities and counties to address the needs of poor unincorporated communities, and the case for redrawing municipal boundaries to mitigate interlocal inequalities. These presentations will set the stage for a dialogue among panelists and audience members about the implications of political decision-making at the local level.
Business Meeting at Program Conclusion.