TRENDS IN MARKET-ORIENTED GOVERNMENT

The traditional political theory that government services should be paid for by tax dollars is being reexamined by a number of innovative municipal, county and state governments.

Burman (1998) analyzes the situation succinctly in the Government Executive:

AAs the federal government continues to downsize, streamline and reinvent itself, the conundrum of the 1950s and '60s comes to mind: >How much is enough?= Today, however, the question doesn't apply to nuclear arsenals, but to people. Is there a right size for the government, and how do you define it?@ (Burman, 1998,62).

That question suggests the scope of re-invention that is going on in the United States today. In this paper, three particular examples of successful market-oriented governments will be examined. The examination will feature three case studies:

The first case study examined will feature innovation at the city level (Tallahassee Florida).

The second case study will involve an innovative county government (Cuyahoga County, Ohio).

The third case study will involve a regional, cross county innovation (SCAQMD). The paper will conclude with a discussion of the Federal Government=s reexamination of use fees.

Tallahassee Florida: Market Orientation on a City Level

In 1986, the City of Tallahassee was facing a problem shared by many cities across America. Specifically, how can you fund infrastructure improvement (sewer upgrades) witho

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losure process, the county can amass large tracts of land, which are placed in a Land Bank@ (Case study). The county in turn markets the land to non-profits and for-profit developers and prime parcels are made available to developers for about A$200 per parcel. A comparable parcel in the suburbs would cost $40,000. The project requires that the minimum acceptable bid on a foreclosed property at a sheriff= auction be equal to the amount of delinquent taxes and the costs of the foreclosure action@ (Case study) The practical solution of this plan is definitely innovative, and although it may seem that the selling price is low when compared to suburb lands, the plan has the following several benefits: First, it helps clear up lagging tax burdens and enhances the County=s fiscal position. Second, it effectively Arecycles@ land parcels which had been considered unsuitable for development. This is a reaction to what Dyson calls the Aintractability@ of some governments. AOur system now is too rigid. Incumbency offers huge advantages to politicians. We also have a fairly large bureaucracy whose original goal was service, but which now has people in it more concerned with selfpreservation. That's not unique to government; it'
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1654
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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