Tom Means

All Politics Is Local Tom Means

All Politics is Local. I suggest that what happens at the local government level is more important than what happens at the state and federal levels. Residents are more concerned about the impact of local development on issues like traffic, parking, neighborhoods, schools, and policies that will improve their quality of life. Readers of this book will see another side to serving in local government. This book on local politics is unique in that it goes beyond discussing the simple structure of local government. It discusses the role of council appointees, how a city is organized, how to run a successful campaign, how to succeed in working with city staff and council colleagues, how to deal with special interest groups, the basics of local budgeting, and figuring out how to implement policies in an efficient and equitable way. In each of these topics, I point out the economic way of thinking and offer political advice about how to make good decisions and why it will lead to better outcomes. Please visit the website https: //www.thelocalpolitician.org to follow the blog and download supporting documents.