When Cities Lobby

When Cities Lobby tells the story of what happens when local officials rely on professional lobbyists to represent their interests in state government. In a political environment characterized by intense urban-rural polarization and growing hostility between cities and state legislatures, lobbying has emerged as an important tool to amplify urban and progressive voices. But high-income suburbs have also figured out how to strategically use lobbyists to secure state funding. When Cities Lobby highlights the costs and benefits of intergovernmental advocacy and explores the consequences for representation and democratic policymaking in the 21st century.