Unlike many interns in DC, I did not come here this summer to work on federal policy or international relations. I have instead been helping the DC Fiscal Policy Institute to research issues that impact local residents’ affordable housing, taxes, workforce development’ and to advocate for policy changes that will make everyone better off.
We often don’t think about why local government’ its services, budgeting decisions and tax policies’ is important. DCFPI generally makes a good case for why we should care about local government, right here on its blog. I’d like to highlight what I see as the three most important reasons for paying attention to, and getting involved in, local affairs.
DC and the states make critical decisions about social services that people depend on.
The federal government sets minimum guidelines for the operation of social safety net programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicare and Medicaid. It also provides a certain amount of money- usually in the form of a match- to the states to fund the programs.
But DC and the states have the power to decide how much additional money to spend on these types of programs, what benefit levels to provide, and what types of services to offer. Advocates for poor and low-income families can make a big difference by urging their state governments to maintain, or even increase, funding for social services. We also can monitor how states are operating their programs and lobby for changes that increase efficiency and efficacy. When successful, these efforts directly assist low-income individuals.
Good local government can reverse public distrust of the federal government.
Public trust of the federal government has declined over the past fifty years or so, for a variety of reasons. Local government that is responsive, fair and efficient can go a long ways towards increasing our trust of government at all levels.
Why? Because local government is the first place people turn when something goes wrong, be it a water main break or the loss of a job. When an elected official responds quickly and appropriately, or when a DC program works well, people again trust in the ability of government to get things done.
On the other hand, mismanagement at the local level reinforces many people’s negative perception of government. (Just another reason why the mismanagement of the District’s Summer Youth Employment Program is so harmful”¦)
And, just for fun, here are three interesting things I’ve learned about the District this summer.
1) DC’s combined income and property taxes are not higher than those of its suburban neighbors- Montgomery County, Prince George’s, Arlington, and Fairfax. In fact, for most families at most income levels, the District’s taxes are the lowest in the region!!
2) The District handles many of the roles that are normally the responsibility of state governments. This includes the operation and funding of the District’s Medicaid, Medicare and TANF programs.
3) Waiting in line for the tour of the Capitol takes longer than the actual tour.
Thanks, DCFPI, for a great summer internship!
