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
Attention all public policy researchers: ICMA has a request for proposal for research on GASB and Local Government Management. The final paper should be no more than 15-20 pages in length and must be completed by September 2013. All proposals must be submitted no later than February 28, 2013 to: Joshua Franzel, ICMA, jfranzel@icma.org. Proposals should be no longer than two pages. For more details please see the full request for proposal.
Recently released White Papers include:
Striking a Balance: Matching the Services Offered by Local Governments with the Revenue Realities (December 2012)
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 2013)
Complete list of Fact Sheets
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.