State and Local Politics

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Comparative Method

Borders and BBQ: KCK and KCMO and the Dividing Lines of Government and Culture

Georgia on My Mind

Using the Laboratories of Democracy to Keep People Healthy

Chapter 2: Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations

Hurricanes, Floods, and Tornados Oh My! The High Cost of Disaster Recovery

Federal Ownership of Land, or, When Nevada isn't Actually Nevada

FedEd: Investigating Civil Rights Violations in Schools

Chapter 3: State Constitutions

The Right to Hunt and Fish and Hang Out on the Front Porch

Problems in Euclid and the Limitations of the Ohio Constitution

From Plastic Bags to Guns: Preemption Laws and an Evolving Political Landscape

Chapter 4: Budgeting, Finance and Fiscal Policy

Tax Cuts and College Tuition: A Louisiana Story

Is Grandpa Bankrupting your City? A Look at Debts and Liabilities

Isn't that Their Job? How State Legislatures End Up Not Passing Budgets

Chapter 5: Elections and Political Participation

Social Pressure and Voter Turnout

Cybersecurity and Election Systems: When Is It Time to Panic?

Is the Internet a Tool or a Distraction for Increasing Political Participation?

Chapter 6: Political Parties and Interest Groups

A Two-Party System Requires Two Parties: Democrats in the South

(Maybe Don't) Show Me the Money: Big Money's Influence in State and Local Elections

ALEC and the Use and Misuse of Model Bills

Chapter 7: State Legislatures

Descriptive Representation and Policy Outcomes: Do Female Legislators Matter?

Professional versus Citizen Legislatures

Jeffrey Epstein and the Varying Interpretation of Federal Sex Offender Registry Laws

Chapter 8: State Executive Leadership

When It All Goes Wrong: The Impeachment of Governor Robert Bently and Eric Greitens

The Gubernatorial Incumbency Advantage

Can a State Make a Difference on Environmental Policy?: California is Giving it a Shot

Chapter 9: State Court Systems

In Loco Parentis

Judicial Recall: How the Brock Turner Case Turned California on its Head

Selling Beer to Alcoholics: The Nebraska State Supreme Court and the Whiteclay Problem

Chapter 10: The Bureaucracy

Interesting Work, Good Benefits, and Job Security: Why Work for the Government?

Bureaucrat Bashing in the Era of Civil Service Shame

Verruckt and the Case for Increased Government Regulation of Amusement Parks

Chapter 11: Local Governments

Handling an "Alien" Invasion in a Small Desert Town

Council-Manager or Strong Mayor? Clearwater, FL Decides

Postville, IA: A Town Recovers from a Major Immigration Raid

Chapter 12: Regional Governance

The Sprawliest Sprawl-Not Los Angeles?

The Houston Metro Area: Flood City U.S.A.

Tiebout Gets Schooled: The Indirect Benefits of Public Schools on Community Satisfaction

Conclusion