Local Government Information

New York State Local Government Handbook

Ever wonder why we have Towns, Cities, and Villages in New York? Curious about how power is divided among the state, county, and local governments? Did you know that New York has its own Freedom of Information Law?

The answers to these and other questions can be found in New York State's Local Government Handbook (6th edition, 2011, 184 pages).

Table of Contents

  1. The Origins of Local Government and The Federal System
  2. The State Government
  3. The Judicial System
  4. Local Government Home Rule Power
  5. County Government
  6. City Government
  7. Town Government
  8. Village government
  9. Special Purpose Units of Government
  10. Citizen Participation and Involvement
  11. Financing Local Government
  12. Administering Local Finances
  13. Personnel Administration
  14. Labor-Management Relations
  15. Public Services
  16. Land Use Planning and Regulation
  17. Public Authorities, Regional Agencies, Intergovernmental Cooperation Acknowledgments websites

Resources