Reapportionment and state constitu-
tional reform thus present an uncertain
picture. But clearly on the negative side
is the lack of any great progress among
the states in moving aggressively to
regulate and provide funds in the major
urban affairs areas that are now han-
dled by the direct federal-local pro-
grams. Total state tax collections in-
creased twelve and one-half per cent for
the fiscal year ending in 1966 and were
double the 1959 figure. Yet only a few
states — large, populous ones — share in
the non-federal portion of selected urban
development programs.
Likewise, states are dragging their feet
in taking strong fiscal and other action
to overcome the growing economic and
fiscal disparities between central cities
and suburbs in metropolitan areas.
Massive amounts of money must move
from relatively affluent suburbs to help
mount a real attack on the problems of
central city ghettos and rural pockets of
poverty. This transferring function can
be performed by the federal government
or the state. If it is left to the federal
government, the states will have lost a
really viable role in the federal system.
In the final analysis, whichever level
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exercises financial control over the prob-
lem of our deteriorating cities will have
de facto control over much of domestic
government.
CONCLUSION
The states have ample potential to
play a triple-threat role in urban affairs :
as "unshacklers" of local governments;
as leaders in encouraging and pointing
the way to new forms of urban govern-
ment and intergovernmental coopera-
tion; and as coordinators and direct pro-
viders of funds with emphasis on miti-
gating economic and social disparities
among local units in metropolitan areas.
If the states are to retain their claim as
positive partners in the federal system,
they must fulfill this triple-threat poten-
tial.
Their record thus far is mixed, as we
have seen. Some signs indicate positive
commitment; others underline continu-
ing passivity. But the urban challenge
has not disappeared; the intergovern-
mental administrative crisis has not been
overcome; and the pace of change in
our federal system has not slowed down.
The time for aggressive state action is
NOW!
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