Public Opinion and Policy Leadership in the American States

In recent years many domestic responsibilities have moved from the federal to the state level. Some believe that state responsibilities have expanded and that the level of professionalism in state institutions has increased because of mandates from the federal government. State activism and innovation have also increased - primarily in response to federal pressures to act, unaccompanied by resources necessary to carry out the mandates. Scholars suggest that suddenly, and almost unilaterally, the federal government has forfeited to state governments the role of chief policymaker in domestic matters. Roeder proposes that the American state is a significant referent for public attitudes toward politics, government, and public policies. He finds rich support in data collected from 1987 through 1990 by the Council of State Governments/Martin School State Survey Project. These data show considerable public support for state policy leadership as well as positive evaluations of state governmental leaders and institutions.