Local Issues
Key Points
- Budgets: Budget transparency is key to budgetary accountability in local government. Taxpayers should know where their money goes.
- Tax Reform: Competitive tax and fiscal policies are vital to a community’s future. With the right set of policies in place, lower-tax communities can attract much-needed human and financial capital from higher-tax communities that penalize wealth creation.
- Regulatory Reform: Virtually every facet of our lives is somehow touched by government regulations. The food, cars drive, work, and even mattresses are regulated by some level of government, often at great cost to the consumer. While safety is paramount, regulations should be transparent, fair, and impose minimal financial burdens on businesses and families.
- Education: An excellent education has long been recognized as key to the American Dream, however the current system isn’t working. States and local governments are leading the charge on student and community centered education, rather than the propping up the unsustainable systems failing parents and students.
- Criminal Justice: Local governments play a vital role in implementing criminal justice reform starting with courts & sheriffs. With state and local officials working together, it is possible to reduce recidivism rates and promote community-based alternatives to lengthy jail stays for non-violent offenders.
- Transportation: Maintaining a functional and healthy infrastructure is one of the cornerstones to economic growth. Local transportation policy should encourage the use of public-private partnerships to build and maintain infrastructure, give localities the flexibility to determine how to best utilize transportation dollars and remove unnecessary burdens to innovation.
While all eyes look to Washington and the state capitals for answers, often times the government closest to home can come up with the best solutions. Local government is a key thread in the fabric of American government, fostering an approach to problem solving that puts communities first. In states with thousands of cities and municipalities, it is impossible for even the state elected officials to have intimate knowledge of each and every one of the vibrant communities that they serve. As such, local decision makers are in a prime position to lead the charge on a variety of issues across the states ranging from budgets, tax reform and regulation reform to education, criminal justice and transportation.
Model Policies
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Ten Guiding Principles for Consideration of Grants Draft
Statement of Principles Grants can be a very attractive source of funding for local governments, as they can help pay for services, programs and amenities without going to tax- and fee payers for additional funds. Grants are offered by governmental entities or private providers, such as corporations, foundations and philanthropic…
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Tenth Amendment Resolution Draft
DECLARE ________ COUNTY TO BE A “TENTH AMENDMENT SANCTUARY COUNTY” This model resolution specifies Water. Tenth Amendment Sanctuary County can include Education, Wolves, ESA (except migratory fowl), EPA, FEMA, excess Feral Horses and so forth that are outside of Federal’s Enumerated Powers. WHEREAS, the Board of the County Commissioners…
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Energy Choice Resolution, Natural Gas Draft
RESOLUTION RE: EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR USE OF PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN _________COUNTY AND SETTING OF CODE ORDINANCE READING SCHEDULE TO AMEND___________ COUNTY CODE SECTION___________ WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of _____ County, ________, pursuant to state statute is vested with the…
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Resolution in Support of Farming and Energy Production Draft
RESOLUTION RE: EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR LAND USE AND PERMITTING FOR LESS THAN 5 ACRE COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS AND PROJECTS UP TO 160 ACRES FOR AGRIVOVOLTAIC PROJECTS IN_______COUNTY AND SETTING OF CODE ORDINANCE READING SCHEDULE TO AMEND___________ COUNTY CODE SECTION___________ WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of _____ County, ________,…
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Statement of Principles on the Gig Economy (and Home Sharing) Draft
Broad Overview: The gig economy has several components, including: Independent workers: People who are paid for a specific task or project. Consumers: People who need a service, such as a ride or delivery. Companies: Companies that connect workers to consumers, such as Uber, Airbnb, Lyft, Etsy, or TaskRabbit. The gig economy has revolutionized…
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The School Board Election Date Act Final
Section 1. Date of School Board Elections (A) The date of a school district’s election for members of its board of education shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, simultaneously with the general election. (B) Replacement of school board members…