2.3: Intergovernmental Policy Council

Create an intergovernmental policy council.

Other Information:

Create an intergovernmental policy council. The crisis of the federal system is not a short term one. The nature of the American governmental and political system guarantees that there will be continuing policy complexity and political conflict. This can and should not be ignored. It rather needs to be constantly monitored and, as necessary, proposals for adequate adjustment should be put forward in a timely and highly visible fashion. Towards this end, the President should initiate an intergovernmental policy council that is adequately staffed and meets at regular (at least quarterly) intervals to review, assess and advise on initiatives designed to enhance the American intergovernmental system. It should be bipartisan in nature. Half of its members should be appointed from the federal level of government, in part by the President and in part by the party leaders of the two Houses of Congress. The remaining half of its membership should consist half of governors and half of mayors or other elected local government officials. There should be two ex-officio non-voting members drawn from the executive directors of the seven major state and local governmental associations. The Council should assume as its task the ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of programs which involve federal government participation and are implemented by state and local governments. It should also address the strengths and weaknesses of the intergovernmental system, and, in particular, the adequacy of the resources to achieve desired policy outcomes.

Stakeholder(s):

• Intergovernmental Policy Council


• President of the United States


• U.S. Congress


• State Governmental Associations


• Local Governmental Associations

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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