Problem:
In Chapter 11, Nelson and Stenberg explain how states rely on local government to fund the state's budget. The book explains that this often involves unfunded mandates, limiting local authority through tax and expense limits, and reduced funding to the cities. How are cities supposed to respond to this? City officials are the lowest level of governance and can easily be exploited by state government or influenced by federal officials. How do you think city officials should respond to this? Do you think they should respond?