bring about the change that is required by current circumstances. For example, it is
the state governors who have requested the Medicaid and welfare waivers. Local
experimentation in other areas of public policy also is quite noteworthy.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the mayors and governors who are at the
forefront of this movement toward state and local control:
Mayor John Norquist OfMilwaukee is an exciting example of a New Democrat
who is challenging the status quo. He writes, “Too often, our party has been unwilling
to cut spending and support real experimentation. Democrats have to be willing to
experiment.. .both to encourage people to break free from welfare dependency and to
relieve taxpayers of the burden of paying for programs that don’t work.”
Norquist initiated a successful welfare plan called New Hope, which coordinates
the efforts of government, business and charities in order to move welfare recipients
into real jobs in the inner city, while preserving the health and other important benefits
that make working pay. His cost-conscious approach to welfare and other government
service is driven by his belief that taxpayers—especially low-income working
families—should not be forced to pay for costly and inefficient government.
Democratic Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago has brought local control and
accountability back to education in his city. According to Daley, “From the U.S.
Education Department on down to local school boards, education has suffered from a
lack Ofleadership and accountability. .. . By 1995, it was apparent that the Chicago
public schools were in crisis. For years, our system had been plagued by failing
schools and strikes. . . . Authority was divided between local school councils, the
school board and the central bureaucracy.... In short, no one was directly responsible
for the state of our schools. Despite extensive media coverage ofcrumbling buildings,
overcrowding and poor academic performance, the system remained unresponsive.”
Granted authority by the Illinois state legislature, Daley is bringing results. The
school budget is in balance. A labor agreement will keep employees from striking for
at least four years. A capital improvement program is underway. A summer school
“safe haven” program has been instituted. Breaking with old orthodoxies and entrenched
interests, Mayor Daley is breathing new life into Chicago’s schools and bringing new
hope to Chicago’s parents and children.
And do not forget:
• Republican Mayor Guliani of New York has been credited with restoring
basic city services.
• Los Angeles has turned to a Republican mayor, to bring fundamental change.
• In Michigan, Republican Gov. John Engler led the fight for property tax
reform.