National Academy of Public Administration Intergovernmental Forum Report: Financing Governments in the 21st Century Globalization, advances in technology, an aging population, structural fiscal imbalances, and a shift to a knowledge-based economy are some of the major economic and social forces putting pressure on revenue systems and public finance, according to the Intergovernmental Forum on Revenue Systems.   Chris McKenzie, Executive Director, League of California Cities, and Suzette Denslow, Deputy Director, Virginia Municipal League, ICMA's representatives, joined other local, state, and federal government leaders to offer their expertise and insights on what changes are needed in our intergovernmental systems.   This first intergovernmental forum was sponsored by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)and supported by ICMA and the organizations representing state and local governments. The federal Administration, representatives of the Congress, and others also participated in this effort. More than 12 topics were considered for the first forum; additional forums are planned in the next three years to address some of the most pressing fiscal issues facing the nation. At one time such issues would have been discussed by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR), which closed its doors in 1996 after failing to receive Congressional appropriations.   The summary report (see attachment below in pdf format), published by NAPA, includes several recommendations that should guide tax policy at all levels of government, including the following:     •   Policymakers should adopt a whole-of-government perspective when developing and considering tax reform proposals.   •   State and local governments should work more cooperatively to harmonize and modernize tax bases, including collective arrangements to reach mobile tax sources and extend sales taxes to a greater portion of the service economy. Where possible, Congress should facilitate and support interstate compact initiatives by the states.   •   Elevate the role of intergovernmental cooperation in the design and administration of the U.S. revenue system to reap economic efficiency.   Future intergovernmental forums will address such issues as the consumption tax and financing the nation's transportation needs.   Click here to download Financing Governments in the 21st Century (Adobe Acrobat Document, 1,161 KB)     League of Arizona Cities and Towns 1820 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ  85007 Phone: 602-258-5786 Fax: 602-253-3874 http://www.azleague.org
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