Local Government Law provides a unique resource with concise, easy-to-understand explanations of important legal issues faced by local public officials, community boards, and city councils. From the moment officials take office, they face decisions related to basic principles found in state and federal law. The same is true for those in the private sector aiming to work successfully with local governments. This practical guidebook will empower public and private representatives with a functional grasp of legal principles, with chapters explaining what a local government is, the requirement to follow due process, local land use controls, the basics of the Freedom of Information Act, and many other important subjects that regularly arise. As a practical guidebook on local government law, this book provides a basic and empowering understanding for officials and private actors in the local government arena.

This Hornbook provides an overview of the operations and the interrelationships of the various levels of government in the United States, with emphasis on local units. The text first discusses local government units and examines the forms of government within these units. The relationship of local governments to state and federal governments is inspected. Additional coverage includes local units and their power, the limitations on those powers, the forms local legislative action may take, and the means for holding local governments liable.

Local Governing Power: General Aspects, Limitations, Resolution of Power Conflicts and Challenges; Formation of the Local Government, Alteration, Boundary Changes; Some Problems of Organization and Operation: Officers, Employees, Allocation and Delegation of Functions, Elections; Regulation of Conduct and the Use of Land: Acquisition, Limitations on Use and Disposition of Goods, Services and Property; Revenues; Considerations Pertinent to Citizen Litigation with Local Governments.

This book reviews and explains the principal public records statutes applicable to records held by North Carolina local governments and examines the public's right of access to those records. It expands the coverage of the first edition and its cumulative supplement and also includes developments in the law since 2004. Although the book focuses on records held by local governments, state government officials also will find it useful.

This study is designed to help local government practitioners in Pacific island countries review and strengthen their existing legislative and regulatory frameworks. It identifies best practice, examines case studies of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Samoa, and presents ten key principles for effective legislation.

This edition continues the emphasis of prior editions on such topics as the relationship of local governments to state and federal governments; the needs of local governments for territory, for personnel, and for adequate financing; and the principal activities and possible liabilities of local government. There is increased attention to land use control, an area of growing activity on the part of institutions, ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court to local zoning boards. This includes material not found in some books in this field, on such important concepts as "smart growth," "new urbanism," and "regulatory takings."

The legal issues facing city government change rapidly in the United States, and Cases and Materials on Local Government Law, Fourth Edition updates material throughout the book to reflect the most recent changes. Many new cases (and a number of new articles and book excerpts) have replaced older ones. In particular, the authors have substantially revised the materials on federal-city relations, on finance, and on school vouchers. Also included are completely new materials on community economic development, black suburbanization, and the property rights movements? attempt to overturn efforts to control suburban sprawl.