Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211049420
Carla Flink, Rebecca J. Walter, Xiaoyang Xu
Diffusion models explore the reasons policies transfer across governments. In this study, we focus on U.S. state level efforts in affordable housing. Drawing predominately from policy diffusion literature, our research examines the determinants of the creation of state Housing Trust Funds (HTFs). We utilize event history analysis with logit regressions and survival modeling to examine how problem severity, neighbor adoption, economic standing, elected leadership, housing investment, and demographics predict state HTF adoption. Results indicate that both problem severity and elected leadership predict the adoption of HTFs. This work improves our understanding of state policy diffusion and efforts in housing affordability.
{"title":"Policy Diffusion in a Redistributive Policy: Affordable Housing and State Housing Trust Funds","authors":"Carla Flink, Rebecca J. Walter, Xiaoyang Xu","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211049420","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211049420","url":null,"abstract":"Diffusion models explore the reasons policies transfer across governments. In this study, we focus on U.S. state level efforts in affordable housing. Drawing predominately from policy diffusion literature, our research examines the determinants of the creation of state Housing Trust Funds (HTFs). We utilize event history analysis with logit regressions and survival modeling to examine how problem severity, neighbor adoption, economic standing, elected leadership, housing investment, and demographics predict state HTF adoption. Results indicate that both problem severity and elected leadership predict the adoption of HTFs. This work improves our understanding of state policy diffusion and efforts in housing affordability.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"187 - 209"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47030409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323x211046220
Kendra B. Stewart
{"title":"Solving Wicked Problems Requires Regional Thinking","authors":"Kendra B. Stewart","doi":"10.1177/0160323x211046220","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323x211046220","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"183 - 186"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47519283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211038862
S. Hughes, A. Dick, Anna Kopec
State interventions during municipal financial emergencies can play a critical role in ensuring the continuation of public services and preventing municipal bankruptcy but have often been applied unevenly. Using a case study of municipal takeovers in Michigan, we examine their predictability based on financial stress indicators and effects on drinking water services. We find financial stress alone does not explain takeover decisions, and that a city’s reliance on state revenue and racial and economic context play a role. Cities that have been taken over are more likely to experience drinking water privatization and rate increases than similarly financially stressed cities. The malleable definition of financial distress and discretion in implementation allow takeover policies to be applied unevenly, creating additional challenges for already distressed communities. Decision makers should seek alternative approaches to municipal financial emergencies that address underlying causes while minimizing the potential for bias and significant changes to public services.
{"title":"Municipal Takeovers: Examining State Discretion and Local Impacts in Michigan","authors":"S. Hughes, A. Dick, Anna Kopec","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211038862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211038862","url":null,"abstract":"State interventions during municipal financial emergencies can play a critical role in ensuring the continuation of public services and preventing municipal bankruptcy but have often been applied unevenly. Using a case study of municipal takeovers in Michigan, we examine their predictability based on financial stress indicators and effects on drinking water services. We find financial stress alone does not explain takeover decisions, and that a city’s reliance on state revenue and racial and economic context play a role. Cities that have been taken over are more likely to experience drinking water privatization and rate increases than similarly financially stressed cities. The malleable definition of financial distress and discretion in implementation allow takeover policies to be applied unevenly, creating additional challenges for already distressed communities. Decision makers should seek alternative approaches to municipal financial emergencies that address underlying causes while minimizing the potential for bias and significant changes to public services.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"223 - 247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48087915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211049239
J. Marlowe
Budgets and financial statements convey essential information about revenues, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. But perhaps more important, they also convey positivity, negativity, fairness, uncertainty, and other social sentiments. This essay examines what we know, and what we need to know, about how state and local governments communicate financial sentiment. The main conclusion is that they do convey clear financial sentiments through traditional financial reporting methods and through new channels like social media. Moreover, those sentiments shift predictably in response to broader economic trends and policy priorities, and can shape how investors and other stakeholders view a government's finances. This raises several practical questions about how states and localities can measure financial sentiment, and many normative questions about whether and how they ought to attempt to manage it. The discussion also includes a brief demonstration of how to extract financial sentiment from state and local Twitter activity.
{"title":"Stories and Sentiment in State and Local Government Finance","authors":"J. Marlowe","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211049239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211049239","url":null,"abstract":"Budgets and financial statements convey essential information about revenues, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. But perhaps more important, they also convey positivity, negativity, fairness, uncertainty, and other social sentiments. This essay examines what we know, and what we need to know, about how state and local governments communicate financial sentiment. The main conclusion is that they do convey clear financial sentiments through traditional financial reporting methods and through new channels like social media. Moreover, those sentiments shift predictably in response to broader economic trends and policy priorities, and can shape how investors and other stakeholders view a government's finances. This raises several practical questions about how states and localities can measure financial sentiment, and many normative questions about whether and how they ought to attempt to manage it. The discussion also includes a brief demonstration of how to extract financial sentiment from state and local Twitter activity.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"248 - 259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44546430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211038482
Keith Boeckelman, Jonathan P Day
This paper assesses state efforts to both restrict and enable local government discretion by using data from Project Vote Smart's “Key Votes” database. The results show that state legislation, both successful and unsuccessful, is more likely to limit local autonomy than to enhance it, although both tendencies occur. Republican legislators are more likely to support efforts to restrict discretion than Democrats are. Further, preemption attempts are particularly evident on “hot button” issues, such as guns, sexuality and gender roles, and immigration, although such initiatives are not necessarily more likely to successfully become law, especially under conditions of divided government.
{"title":"State Legislation Restricting and Enabling Local Governments in an Era of Preemption","authors":"Keith Boeckelman, Jonathan P Day","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211038482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211038482","url":null,"abstract":"This paper assesses state efforts to both restrict and enable local government discretion by using data from Project Vote Smart's “Key Votes” database. The results show that state legislation, both successful and unsuccessful, is more likely to limit local autonomy than to enhance it, although both tendencies occur. Republican legislators are more likely to support efforts to restrict discretion than Democrats are. Further, preemption attempts are particularly evident on “hot button” issues, such as guns, sexuality and gender roles, and immigration, although such initiatives are not necessarily more likely to successfully become law, especially under conditions of divided government.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"210 - 222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42839510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-09-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211048847
Nicole M. Humphrey
When examining emotions and professionalism, scholars have questioned how these concepts can coexist. Using ten interviews with local administrators, this exploratory study suggests that emotions and professionalism are interrelated—to be professional, an administrator must be skilled in emotional labor. Specifically, professionalism acts as a display rule regulating the emotional behavior of employees. An employee's ability to meet this display rule impacts their individual social capital, along with experiences of emotional contagion from other organizational members. By connecting emotional labor to professionalism, these findings suggest that the emotional competencies of local administrators should receive greater emphasis in professional training programs.
{"title":"Emotional Labor and Professionalism: Finding Balance at the Local Level","authors":"Nicole M. Humphrey","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211048847","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211048847","url":null,"abstract":"When examining emotions and professionalism, scholars have questioned how these concepts can coexist. Using ten interviews with local administrators, this exploratory study suggests that emotions and professionalism are interrelated—to be professional, an administrator must be skilled in emotional labor. Specifically, professionalism acts as a display rule regulating the emotional behavior of employees. An employee's ability to meet this display rule impacts their individual social capital, along with experiences of emotional contagion from other organizational members. By connecting emotional labor to professionalism, these findings suggest that the emotional competencies of local administrators should receive greater emphasis in professional training programs.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"260 - 270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48969115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211032728
Whitney B. Afonso
This article outlines how counties and municipalities in North Carolina prepared their fiscal year 2020–21 budgets amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to an April 2020 survey, 92 percent of jurisdictions reported anticipating a general-fund shortfall for FY 2021, and over 20 percent expected shortfalls exceeding 10 percent of their general funds. Over three-quarters of jurisdictions reported not budgeting for any new positions, and over half instituted hiring freezes. This research presents important insights into how counties and municipalities prepared for the recession and highlights the differences and similarities of those strategies.
{"title":"Planning for the Unknown: Local Government Strategies from the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Season in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Whitney B. Afonso","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211032728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211032728","url":null,"abstract":"This article outlines how counties and municipalities in North Carolina prepared their fiscal year 2020–21 budgets amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to an April 2020 survey, 92 percent of jurisdictions reported anticipating a general-fund shortfall for FY 2021, and over 20 percent expected shortfalls exceeding 10 percent of their general funds. Over three-quarters of jurisdictions reported not budgeting for any new positions, and over half instituted hiring freezes. This research presents important insights into how counties and municipalities prepared for the recession and highlights the differences and similarities of those strategies.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"159 - 171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/0160323X211032728","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47696753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211035677
J. Lyons, Luke Fowler
Questions of whether to enforce COVID-related mask mandates are complex. While enforced mandates are more effective at controlling community spread, government imposed behavioral controls have met significant opposition in conservative states, where a political bloc on the right is skeptical that COVID presents a significant and immediate threat. The authors conduct a split sample survey in order to examine how inclusion of a fine provision attached to mask mandates affects support. The survey was conducted in Idaho (a Republican dominated state) at a time when a mask mandate was a central debate. Unsurprisingly, respondents were more supportive of a mask mandate if a fine was not included. Further investigation indicates this is primarily a result of shifting Republican attitudes, which highlights the complex political situation in conservative states as leaders consider best mechanisms for battling COVID.
{"title":"Is It Still a Mandate If We Don’t Enforce It? The Politics of COVID-related Mask Mandates in Conservative States","authors":"J. Lyons, Luke Fowler","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211035677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211035677","url":null,"abstract":"Questions of whether to enforce COVID-related mask mandates are complex. While enforced mandates are more effective at controlling community spread, government imposed behavioral controls have met significant opposition in conservative states, where a political bloc on the right is skeptical that COVID presents a significant and immediate threat. The authors conduct a split sample survey in order to examine how inclusion of a fine provision attached to mask mandates affects support. The survey was conducted in Idaho (a Republican dominated state) at a time when a mask mandate was a central debate. Unsurprisingly, respondents were more supportive of a mask mandate if a fine was not included. Further investigation indicates this is primarily a result of shifting Republican attitudes, which highlights the complex political situation in conservative states as leaders consider best mechanisms for battling COVID.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"106 - 121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48922087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211038211
F. S. Romero
While most U.S. cities have a tree protection policy, the subsequent impact on the reduction of canopy loss is unclear. To rectify this, I utilize a theoretically grounded framework of influence comprised of clear identification of the problem/public support, adequate resources, and sound policy logic. This is then tested in a comparative case study of Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas. While Charlotte benefits from public recognition of the problem and adequate resources, its regulations are weak, lacking a logical connection to aspirational outcomes. San Antonio's regulations are stronger, but combined with weaker problem identification and resources. Through quantitative and qualitative assessments, I find that San Antonio's strict regulations may have stabilized loss rates, while Charlotte's weaker rules have not. Results highlight the importance of policy logic over other commonly suggested determinants of natural resource protection.
{"title":"Logic and Effectiveness of Urban Tree Preservation: A Comparative Case Study of Charlotte and San Antonio","authors":"F. S. Romero","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211038211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211038211","url":null,"abstract":"While most U.S. cities have a tree protection policy, the subsequent impact on the reduction of canopy loss is unclear. To rectify this, I utilize a theoretically grounded framework of influence comprised of clear identification of the problem/public support, adequate resources, and sound policy logic. This is then tested in a comparative case study of Charlotte, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas. While Charlotte benefits from public recognition of the problem and adequate resources, its regulations are weak, lacking a logical connection to aspirational outcomes. San Antonio's regulations are stronger, but combined with weaker problem identification and resources. Through quantitative and qualitative assessments, I find that San Antonio's strict regulations may have stabilized loss rates, while Charlotte's weaker rules have not. Results highlight the importance of policy logic over other commonly suggested determinants of natural resource protection.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"142 - 158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41408299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-01DOI: 10.1177/0160323X211027865
C. Cochrane
Despite the varying challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northwest Territories, a northern Canadian jurisdiction with unique and challenging circumstances from governance style to geography to limited health care capacity, has been one of the leading jurisdictions in Canada to contain the spread of COVID-19.
{"title":"Consensus Government and Collaboration: The COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada’s North and the Role Partnership Played in Protecting the Health and Well-being of Residents","authors":"C. Cochrane","doi":"10.1177/0160323X211027865","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X211027865","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the varying challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northwest Territories, a northern Canadian jurisdiction with unique and challenging circumstances from governance style to geography to limited health care capacity, has been one of the leading jurisdictions in Canada to contain the spread of COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"53 1","pages":"103 - 105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/0160323X211027865","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48216253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}