Chapter 1:  Introduction: The Struggle for Power and Influence

Importance of State and Local Politics

Learning About Local Politics and Government

Scope of the Book

The Struggle

Politics

PART II:  INSTITUTIONS AND ELECTIONS

Chapter 2: Constitutions and Charters: The Foundations of State

The Beginnings of State and Local Governments in the United States

Constitutions and Charters–the Ballpark of Politics

State Constitutions

City (Municipal) Charters

Forms of Local Government

Chapter 3: Struggles in State Legislatures and City Councils

Serving in the City Council or the State Legislature

Struggling for Power and Influence in Legislative Bodies

Legislative Life

Who are the lawmakers

Lawmaking Roles

Organizing and Operating a Legislative Body

The Capacity to Legislate Effectively

Committees as the Fountain and Deathtrap of Legislation

Redistricting

Making your Bill a Law

Limits on Lawmakers

Making Decisions is Not Simple

Ethics in Legislative Decision Making — The “Queasiness” Test

“How’re We Doin’?” in our Legislative Bodies

Chapter 4: Executive Power in State and Local Government

State and Local Chief Executives Struggle for Power

Powers of Governors and Mayors as Chief Executives

The Various Roles of Chief Executives

History of State and Local Executive Power

The State Executive Branch

Executive Officials in City and County Government

Running a Bureaucracy

Conclusion

Chapter 5: Election Battles

Getting Elected

Nowlan and Simpson Campaigns

Deciding to Run

Launching a Candidacy

Developing a Campaign Strategy

A Candidate’s Image

A Campaign’s Message

Winning Elections

Chapter 6: Justice and Corrections

Structure

People in the Criminal Justice System

Processes of the Criminal Justice System

Outcomes of the Justice System

Civil Cases

Chapter 7: Federalism: Playing Tug of War

Historical Background of Federalism

State and Local Governmental Connections with the Federal Judicial Branch

State and Local Governmental Connections with the Federal Legislative Branch

State and Local Governmental Connections with the Federal Executive Branch

Interplay between Congress, State and Local Government, and Federal Agencies

The Tug of War among States — Horizontal Federalism

Interplay between States and Local Governments

States and Cities Today:  Stronger in the Tug of War?

Intergovernmental Relations: A Summary

PART III: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Chapter 8: Participation in State and Local Government

Paid Lobbyists

Lobbying in the Legislative Process

Journalists’ and the Media’s Role as Community Watchdogs

Blogs

Citizen Activists

Community Organizations

Roles Citizens Can Play

PART IV: POLICIES AND PROBLEMS

Ch. 9: Follow the Money — The Politics of State and Local Budgeting

Budgets as Allocations of Our Values and Demands or Needs

Enormous Pressure to Spend

Finding the Revenue Always a Struggle

The Big Three Taxes: Sales, Income, Property

Should We Tax Sales on the Internet?

Evaluating Revenue Sources: The Old Regressive-Progressive  Debate

Budgeting Process Is Simple, But Decisions Are Difficult

The Office of Management and Budget

Capital Borrowing and Spending

The Politics of “Shift and Shaft"

Political Dynamics of Budgeting

Budget Trends

Chapter 10.  Metropolitanization and Globalization

Governing the Metropolitan Region

Urban Sprawl

Gated Communities

Globalization

Problems of Metropolitanization and Globalization

Our Neighbors: Canada and Mexico

Getting Along with Our Neighbors

Conclusion

Chapter 11: The Struggle for the Schoolhouse and Campus

The Historical Development of American Public Education

Public School Education — From Kindergarten through High School

The Federal Role in Education

Who Pays for Public Education?

Non-public School Education

The Campuses Struggle to Maintain Independence

PART V: DEMOCRACY AND ETHICS

Chapter 12:  Democracy and Ethics at the Grassroots

Representative Democracy

Metropolitanization and Globalization

Ethics in Politics

Practical Exercises

Chapter Notes

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