Political Science: State & Local Gov

The Council of State Governments is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,069 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.

NASBO has been the professional membership organization for state budget and finance officers. As the chief financial advisors to our nation’s governors, NASBO members are influential decision makers in state government. They guide their states in analysis of budget options and formation of sound public policy. NASBO exists to support its members in their critical job functions by: Providing information and training on critical state fiscal issues and budget processes; Responding to member research inquiries on topics impacting states and their budgets; and Organizing national meetings where members can discuss critical issues and share best practices.

NCSL is committed to the success of all legislators and staff. Our mission is to: Improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures; Promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures; and Ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.

The NLC is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.

The Rockefeller Institute of Government has long tracked and analyzed state fiscal conditions, tax policies, fiscal capabilities and spending trends. In nationwide field research studies, we have examined whether and how states have implemented major initiatives — and the institutional strengths and weaknesses revealed by such efforts. We have studied reforms to improve states’ executive leadership and to recruit and maintain a skilled state and local workforce. We have examined state capacity to contract with private agencies for public functions while holding these agencies accountable, and we have investigated the institutional capabilities demanded of states as they attempt to reform health care, integrate the delivery of human services and recover from natural disasters.

The State and Local Government Internet directory provides convenient one-stop access to the websites of thousands of state agencies and city and county governments.

Stateline is an editorially independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit news service of the Pew Charitable Trusts that provides daily reporting and analysis on trends in state policy. Stateline’s unparalleled coverage across the 50 states, and insight into policy developments on a range of issues, make it an important resource for policymakers and staff at all levels of government.

The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,398 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor.

The primary roles of The U.S. Conference of Mayors are to: Promote the development of effective national urban/suburban policy; Strengthen federal-city relationships; Ensure that federal policy meets urban needs; Provide mayors with leadership and management tools; and Create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information.

This page seeks to link to sites containing full-text state constitutions, statutes (called codes or compiled laws in some states), legislation (bills, amendments, etc.), session laws (bills that have become laws), and administrative rules.