LAW 429 - State & Local Government Law

This course examines the scope and nature of local government powers and their relationship to state and federal governmental authority. Particular emphasis is placed upon matters of concern to cities, counties and other units of local government. Special consideration will be given to questions of governmental design, political theory, and intra- and inter-governmental sharing of power. Specific topics may include: theories of authority, boundary changes, personnel, public contracts, government tort liability and immunity, municipal finance, land planning and development management. Course readings will include both legal materials and excerpts from the fields of public administration, economics, municipal finance and city planning.