ICMA’s public policy role is to advance good governance by identifying long-term trends and issues affecting local governments. ICMA prepares white papers on current issues to inform the national policy debate.  Working with state and national organizations that represent cities and counties, ICMA brings its professional management voice into national policy debates, regulatory matters, and in problem-solving discussions with federal agency leaders. ICMA takes positions on public policy issues and signs amicus briefs prepared by the State and Local Legal Center that support important federalism principles. 

Current ICMA Policy Priorities

• Local government financing and revenue diversity
• Future of infrastructure financing
• Regionalism and shared services

Full list of ICMA Policy Priorities.

ICMA White Papers

Recently released White Papers include:

"Coping With Crisis: How Local Governments are Reinventing Themselves in the Wake of the Great Recession" (December 2011)

"211/311: Is There a Case for Consolidation or Collaboration?" (July 2010)

Complete list of ICMA White Papers 

Fact Sheets

Recently released Fact Sheets include:

"Facts You Should Know: State and Municipal Bankruptcy, Municipal Bonds, and State and Local Pensions" (February 2012)

Complete list of Fact Sheets & Policy Letters

The Role of ICMA Members in Public Policy

ICMA members provide advice and expertise on policies to inform decision makers. ICMA members and leadership serve on a variety of governmental and nongovernmental boards, panels, commissions, and committees. ICMA's Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee (GAPC) tracks federal and state policy issues at the direction of the ICMA Executive Board and to further the goals of ICMA's Strategic Plan. More information about the GAPC and its current activities can be found here.