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Democrats Gain in the States
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18298 |
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CURRENT ISSUES
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10 / 1990 |
3,069 Words |
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Michael Tanner
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This election season, while the eyes of most political pundits and observers are fastened firmly on congressional campaigns, perhaps an even more important battle is taking place at the state level. Thirty-two states will elect governors this year and 47 states will select state legislators. Except for gubernatorial contests in a few large mediagenic states, these campaigns often lack the glamour and attention of races for the Congress. Yet, the outcome of these often-unheralded races could have a profound effect on the future of American politics.
One of the enduring legacies of the Reagan administration has been the “new federalism” and a renewed emphasis on the role of state governments. For nearly half a century prior to President Reagan, the once-sovereign states frequently seemed to represent little more than the administrative agencies of a centralized government. In the 1970s, there were even proposals to abolish the states and replace them with more “rational” federal administrative zones. Under such circumstances it was natural for the media, the national party structures, and political interest groups to largely ignore state politics and concentrate on Congress and the presidency – “where the action was.”
Much has changed in recent years, however. Reagan made it his No. 1 priority to reduce the size and power of the federal government. As a result, states are less dependent today on federal programs and revenues than they were 10 years ago. Even more importantly, they are less subservient to federal bureaucracies. Power is returning to state governments.
At the same time, Congress has become increasingly important. Partisan bickering and an inability to deal with the federal deficit have caused an increasing lack of productivity on Capitol Hill. As a result, many of the issues that once would have been decided in Washington are now being decided in state capitals.
Perhaps this is as it should be, since many of the vital issues facing America today are best decided at the state level: How can we best educate our children? How do we protect ourselves from drugs and crime? How do we protect our environment while building a strong economy? How do we provide for those in need while encouraging entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency? How do we ensure continued economic growth?
This shift in activism to the state level is most clearly illustrated by comparing the relative levels of federal and state legislative activity during the 1989 legislative session. In the 50 state capitals, more than 138,000 bills were introduced and 18 percent of these, nearly 25,000, became law. Meanwhile, in Congress, only 7,300 bills were considered and barely 3 percent, a mere 228, were enacted.
Clearly, state government, not federal, will be the engine that drives public policy in the 1990s and beyond. Even those with their eyes fixed firmly on Washington should have been quick to see the importance of controlling state governments. As a result of the 1990 census and reapportionment, there will be a dramatic shift in congressional representation from the Northeast and Midwest to the South and West. Whoever controls the redrawing of congressional boundaries will control the future of federal politics.
Yet, despite some
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