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Forgive my ignorance, but why does RI have counties? Is it a federal law or something? I mean, so far as I know, there's no county government in the state and no county taxes.
Places like Virginia and Maryland have powerful county governments, like Fairfax Country in Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland. So what gives?
Forgive my ignorance, but why does RI have counties?
Goes back to colonial days when the original Rhode Island colony was established. Eventually, State Government and towns took over the county government functions. We still use them for the court system and the sheriffs. So there is an Outcounty Business Calendar on the Superior Court, for example. Also, a courthouse in every county.
It also has to do with geography; obviously out West it makes more sense to have county gov. New England is known for having local control in government, very much based on early town meeting form of government, giving the citizens a strong voice in many matters, but is also cause for a grid-lock and red tape in getting anything done. I believe Montgomery County is considered quite progressive, which wouldn't be the possible if it were up to towns probably.
It also has to do with geography; obviously out West it makes more sense to have county gov. New England is known for having local control in government, very much based on early town meeting form of government, giving the citizens a strong voice in many matters, but is also cause for a grid-lock and red tape in getting anything done. I believe Montgomery County is considered quite progressive, which wouldn't be the possible if it were up to towns probably.
Yes, Montgomery County is fairly progressive and an effective governmental entity. That's largely due to the way taxpayers just nail politicians to the cross on just about every issue. I mean, they just hammer the pols! It's also a very wealthy county.
The county's ability to tax has made large-scale infrastructure projects possible, like the operation and expansion of the metropolitan DC subway system, "Metro," a tinker-toy wannabee bus and subway system that serves DC, Maryland and Virginia.
This RI mashup of 39 cities and town nonsense is just a joke. I have no idea why a state as itsy-bitsy, teensy-weentsey as Rhode Island doesn't have ONE school system, ONE police department and ONE fire department. Thirty nine entities? Hopkinton, with 8,000 souls, is a town? Hell, there are single blocks in Manhattan with more people! And in a state of a million people? What a waste!
Hehe, you clearly have not been exposed to the real underpinnings of our little state. Let's talk again in a couple years, things will become more clear to you as time goes by.
What- and have all these people vote themselves out of office and out of lucrative jobs?
I've always been a big advocate of at least consolidating or going to a county system. But the governor would have to have the cajones to put a referendum on the ballot.... or the people would have have to rise up with a major petition. Either scenario unlikely.
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