The Structure and Functions of Local Government by Dr. H. George Frederickson

The structure and functions of local government were the topics at the Local Government Academy's 2005 Road to Excellence Conference sponsored by Comcast. Dr. H. George Frederickson was the keynote speaker at the Road to Excellence Conference, entitled 'Form Follows Function'. The Road to Excellence Conference is an annual event, exploring issues related to intergovernmental cooperation in southwestern Pennsylvania. The 2005 Conference was a forum on the issue of government structure, a topic that continues to generate interest among elected and appointed officials, the media, and the general public. A valuable discussion was initiated about the functions of local government in an effort to better inform the ongoing political discussion about how local authority should be structured.

Dr. Frederickson is the Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration at the University of Kansas, one of the top rated public affairs departments in the United States. Dr. Frederickson has taught, been published, and is co-editor of The Future of Local Government Administration, published by the International City Management Association in 2002. Listen as Dr. Frederickson answers the questions: Why is local government structure important? What is the impact of structure in terms of achieving economic, efficient, equitable government and what is its impact on the business climate and the quality of life for the average citizen?