Interviews- Cities & States: Challenges for the Next Century

Abstract

The social, economic, and technological changes of the coming century present significant challenges with which states and cities will have to contend. Policy Perspectives engaged Donald Borut, Executive Director of the National League of Cities (NLC), and Raymond Scheppach, Executive Director of the National Governor's Association (NGA), in separate conversations to learn how they see these issues playing out for their member states and cities. Their answers expand on the nature of these issues, what strengths these levels of government bring to the task of addressing them, and in what areas collaboration can be enhanced. Both Borut and Scheppach agree that the changing economy is a central consideration for states and localities as they look to the future. Addressing federal preemption, in particular, seems an area ripe for further collaboration between the two levels of government.