Quote:
Originally Posted by goat314
I don't think so. I honestly think that they are doing a better job administering services and attracting economic development than many legacy cities. Having too much local government can actually be very bad for a region. My hometown of St. Louis is prime example of what a disaster lack of regional cooperation can be.
|
Houston and Harris County are on the other extreme end of the spectrum though. I really do think Houston is "bloated".
Lots of neglected areas and dysfunctional or weak public services, partisanship in local elections, and a sense that regular people < power brokers.
DFW and Austin are closer to the right-size IMO. A city of about a million people, and then large suburban municipalities with 100,000 to 250,000 people. Big enough to have a diversified tax base and healthy budget, not too top heavy in administration, not too dominated by NIMBYs, but also small enough to be responsive to citizens and feel like a legit democracy.
San Antonio is drifting towards being too much like Houston, IMO.