Theft at the Public Till
high-quality education, infrastructure, and other services... the following federal programs would be devolved to the states or gradually wither away: elementary and secondary education, job training, economic and com- munity development, housing, most highways and other transportation, social services, and some pollution control programs. Some specific pro- grams where federal action is needed would be retained, even expanded; for example, higher education scholarships for low income students and federal support for scientific research, including research on learning. A few transportation functions-especially air traffic control-would remain federal. Devolving these functions would reduce federal spending by at least $75 biltion. Much more important, devolution would reduce future pressure on the federal deficit. Citizens and organizations concerned about better housing, training, and education would have to lobby in their state capitals, not Washington. ... an appealing strategy for implementing needed new domestic policies is ‘dividing the job.’ The federal government should do what it has proved it can do well: strengthen the nation’s social insurance system. It should take on the dual task of controlling the growth of health costs and ensuring that everyone has health insurance. The states should take charge of the produc- tivity agenda, especially education, training, infrastructure, and economic development, while the federal government should devolve its programs in these areas to the states. .... the federal government is not well suited to take responsibility for improving education, training, and infrastructure or fostering economic development. These are functions of government that require experimenta- tion, adaptation to local conditions, accountability of on-the-scene officials, and community participation and support. State and local governments are more likely than the federal government to carry out these functions successfully.”
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