State Laws Governing Local Government Structure and Administration

摘要

This report examines the extent to which states regulate municipalities andcounty governments in the conduct of their business or, conversely, the extent to which states allow local governments to manage their own affairs. It begins with a brief overview of the types of local government in the United States. It then briefly summarizes the key characteristics of state laws governing the structure and administration of municipal and county governments, examining forms of government and home rule, boundaries, elections, administrative operations and procedures, financial management practices, and personnel management. It also highlights major trends that emerged between an initial study of these areas in 1978 and the review conducted in 1990. Detailed data are displayed by region and by state in the accompanying Appendices.