Balance of Power between Cities and States

Every year it seems that the General Assembly, motivated by a local decision in Metro Louisville, considers legislation to limit, redirect, or even reverse local control in the state's largest city.  This year it is House Bill 133 in response to the Jefferson County Board of Education passing a tax increase to modernize facilities.  In previous years, it has been everything from local tax policy to school choice and student assignment policy.  

This is not just a Kentucky phenomenon.  It is a common strategy for legislators in "red" states to use (or misuse) the power of the state over "blue" cities.  Charlotte's nondiscrimination ordinance-- the infamous "bathroom" bill-- is a case in point.  In fact, red state legislatures have regularly targeted progressive policies relating to LBGTQ protections, minimum wage increases, sanctuary city designations, immigration policy, and school desegregation.  

A recent article in the Washington Monthly by Daniel Block signals a potential opening under the Biden Administration to use federal power to empower municipalities from the assertion of state power over local issues.  It is justified.  The largest 200 cities in the U.S. account for 85 percent of the gross domestic product of the nation.  Cities and towns drive our economy at both the national and state level.  

In what could become an increasing trend, we may see policy prescriptions and funding in areas such as infrastructure, transportation, the environment, and broadband completely bypass states and flow directly to localities.  In the case of broadband, the Federal Communications Commission could redirect funding that would go directly to municipal broadband infrastructure projects. 

Large urban areas in red states like Kentucky stand to gain from such policies. But there are plenty of smaller cities-- like Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Paducah-- that would benefit as well.  

Ideas like this are not just coming from the progressive left.  Two of the most prominent right of center intellectuals-- David Brooks and Yuval Levin-- both argue that giving more power to cities and towns might be the cure needed to address the declining civic health and social capital of local communities. "By putting more meaningful authority and power near to the level of community," Levin recently wrote, "the nation stands a better chance of drawing more citizens into the public arena."

As James and Debra Fallows (2018) chronicled in their 100,000-mile trip across the “flyover” America, many of the most significant problems facing our nation are best being addressed at the local level. The most important reformers and best “laboratories of democracy” in the 21st century can be found in the cities of middle America. Many have found success because they have not let America's partisan divisions or the culture wars get in the way of doing what is best for their local citizens.  

In the area of education, it means allowing local boards of education to function without interference.  In larger urban areas, it may mean more choice or even mayoral control of schools.  

The message to the General Assembly.  Let cities have more autonomy.  Cities have been the real problem solvers where states and the federal government have been mired in division and gridlock unable to address any problem of magnitude much less pass a budget.  Don't try to impose your politics or legislate your values.  Let our cities move the state forward.