Unfunded Mandates and Fiscal Federalism: A Critique

Abstract

All of these conclusions support the notion that issues of federalism are best left to the national political process. Given the complex interrelationship of federal tax, spending, and regulatory policies, it is impossible for federal courts, bound by the narrow constraints of party-defined litigation, to assess the fiscal burdens of individual federal programs in the proper context. These issues are viewed more appropriately by elected federal officials in the course of the national political process. The fact that states and cities remain net fiscal beneficiaries of intergovernmental programs suggests that lower levels of government do receive adequate protection and representation in this manner.