Essay Example on Intergovernmental Relations: Crucial For Service Delivery to US Citizens

Introduction

Enhanced intergovernmental relations are crucial in service delivery to every citizen of the United States (Goelzhauser & Rose, 2017). The national government, the federal government, and the local government should work together to identify the challenges the citizens face and address them comprehensively. The smaller units, the local government, form the first contact in identifying the problems right from the grassroots way up to the national government (Conlan, 2017). It is imperative to lay down procedures and plans on how these three levels of government can be synchronized for better service delivery. This paper will look at ways intergovernmental relations can be enhanced by taking two pertinent questions, whether the issues have been explored and answered fully for better relationships and service delivery and why it is essential to divulge into these questions in the first place.

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Local Government Having Prominent Seat at the Intergovernmental Table

According to the article, the different levels of the government have answered this question fully. Cognizant of the fact that local governments do not constitutionally form part of the federal system, it has been realized that local government is essential to both IGR and IGM while making developmental decisions that directly affect their area of jurisdiction (Conlan, 2017). However, the inclusion of the local governments to this table did not come easy, and several debates come up before they could finally be incorporated under the new deal. It was important for the local government to be included since there was a growing mistrust between them and the federal government to adequately represent their interest (Eccleston & Krever, 2017). The various approaches were used in ensuring that the local governments were given opportunities at the table, for example, shifting aid from the federal government to the local government to accelerate development. Additionally, various federal countries have reinforced intergovernmental cooperation by going a notch higher and recognizing the local government as the third level of government in their structure (Goelzhauser & Rose, 2017).

It was essential to give local government prominent seat at the intergovernmental table to accelerate development such as urban renewal, government operations, housing, transportation infrastructure and education facilities and policies (Conlan, 2017). Moreover, the inclusion of the local government at the intergovernmental table helped address the growing mistrust between the local government and the federal government. Further, certain vital decisions affecting the citizens can be made to its finality since all the representatives are included (Eccleston & Krever, 2017).

Consolidating Federal Grant-in-Aid to Reduce Overlap

According to the article, this concern has not been sufficiently addressed and needs urgent action so that there can be accountability and improve service delivery. Furthermore, it is perilous for resources and duties to overlap since resources at the different levels of governments can be appropriated for the same project; thus, other equally essential projects lag (Eccleston & Krever, 2017). Additionally, local governments are disadvantaged as they have limited capacity to compete with the federal government and acquire grants. Furthermore, if multiple awards are given to the local government, it has been proven that they have limited capacity to effectively manage the colossal funding (Eccleston & Krever, 2017). Also, the increasing concern about federal government coordinating agencies such as housing, transportation has led to duplication of roles since such are also undertaken by the local government (Goelzhauser & Rose, 2017).

The government can identify the various services needed by the citizens, the amount of funding required to undertake such projects, and the capacity and the capability of both the local government and the federal government to take such projects (Eccleston & Krever, 2017). After categorization, the government should distinctly separate these functions and give funding separately to enhance service delivery. Moreover, this would save the government the headache of holding accountable in case there is malpractice or delay in delivering a project (Conlan, 2017).

The consolidation of grants helps in reducing duplication of roles and the realization of better results. Further, it would help in doing budgeting since the projects are targeted (Goelzhauser & Rose, 2017). Additionally, when the roles are distinctly outlined, there will be reduced competition between the local governments and the federal governments (Goelzhauser & Rose, 2017).

Conclusion

Therefore it is crucial to enhance better intergovernmental corporations so that the service delivery is improved across the United States. Further, challenges hampering this cooperation should be identified and address to ensure smooth operation and service delivery. Making local government stronger means better services since they relate well with the challenges.

References

Conlan, T. (2017). Intergovernmental relations in a compound republic: The journey from cooperative to polarized federalism. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 47(2), 171-187. https://academic.oup.com/publius/article-abstract/47/2/171/3038372

Eccleston, R., & Krever, R. (Eds.). (2017). The Future of Federalism: Intergovernmental Financial Relations in an Age of Austerity. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=sqffDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=intergovernmental+relations+in+the+united+states&ots

Goelzhauser, G., & Rose, S. (2017). The State of American Federalism 2016–2017: Policy reversals and partisan perspectives on intergovernmental relations. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 47(3), 285-313. https://academic.oup.com/publius/article-abstract/47/3/285/3865381?redirectedFrom=PDF