State and Local Politics: Cases and Topics

This book is the first of its kind to take concepts directly from the most commonly used textbooks in state and local politics and apply them directly to current events. It presents twelve chapters of case studies, richly detailing key topics ranging from how the comparative method can be used to understand the similarities and differences between diverse places, to a look at how state governments have taken the lead on COVID-19, environmental policy, civil rights, gun control, college tuition regulation, cybersecurity and elections, sex offenders, and many more subjects of contemporary interest. It devotes a complete chapter to local-level politics in Nevada, Florida, and Iowa, and wraps up with a unique chapter on regional governance bridging between states and localities. This detailed and highly readable book is designed to complement traditional state and local textbooks. It is also of interest to students of public administration, public policy, urban politics, and intro to American politics.

Jayme L. Renfro is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa. She enjoys teaching public policy and administration to both undergraduate and graduate students and has earned university- and college wide teaching awards. She is co-author, with Kevin B. Smith, of State and Local Government 2013–2014. She enjoys books, her husband, travelling, playing darts, her children, cake, and naps (not in that order).