Loca l cHief Exec Uti Ves

Abstract

Are city mayors. county commission chairpersons, and city managers involved in the intergovernmental administrative process? What is the frequency of their involvement, what is the intent of their involvement, and what is the route of their involvement? These are the questions addressed in this article through a survey of such officials in eight states. The literature suggests that the centralization of the federal system and the development of vertical federalism has excluded local chief executives from the process. The responses of 665 local chief executives in the eight states indicate they contact a broad range of agencies for various purposes, but especially for their resources. Explanations for the manner of contact (direct, legislator involvement, or a combination of both) used by the various officials are explored.