Steve Urquhart: Super Genius

I have to admit I am flattered that, once again, the good people of Salt Lake County are looking to me to solve a thorny issue for them. I think, though, that -- instead of stepping in and solving this one for them -- I'll let them grapple with the issue, so that they might develop some problem-solving skills.

C'mon, people. Dig in and work it out. Delaying the tough work would only mean that the tough work has been delayed. Nothing more. Breaking up is hard to do, but at this point it's simply a question of valuation. Politically tough? Absolutely. Rocket science? Hardly.

UPDATE (6/18/08): LaVarr Webb wrote an article today in Utah Policy that helps explain some of the background for local governance:

"In response to the Sunday Deseret News column I wrote about federalism, some local government leaders have sent messages saying that even as state officials feel the heavy hand of the federal government, local leaders sometimes feel oppressed by the state government, especially the Legislature.

So, the question is, should the principles of federalism also apply between state and local governments? State legislators will be quick to point out that the legal and constitutional relationship between state and local is much different than between state and federal. State governments created the national government, and the Founders expected states to be a check on federal power. States are sovereign, and hold constitutional status. Local governments, on the other hand, are creations of state government. So, within the parameters of state constitutions and statutes, the legislatures can slap around local governments as much as they please. State legislatures determine how local governments are established, how the operate, and how they are financed.

However, even though local governments have no constitutional protection, common-sense principles of governance still apply. Taking a paternalistic, heavy-handed, “mother knows best” attitude toward local governments isn’t the best way to govern them. Government closest to the people is still the best government. In many cases, locally-elected officials are as close, or closer, to the people than are state legislators. They meet much more frequently. They deliver the most basic of services. They are accessible and are responsive to the pulse of the community. They often know better than legislators what works at the local level. Legislators ought to respect them and not ride roughshod over them. There will always be pushing and pulling and a healthy tension between the levels of government. But there should be mutual respect that results in a good balance between the responsibilities of state and local governments."