Does Anyone Care about the Poor? The Role of Redistribution in Mayoral Policy Agendas

Abstract

Income inequality is widening in the United States, particularly in large cities. This study analyzes whether mayors address this issue through redistributive policies or economic development. State of the City addresses from 45 of the 50 largest cities were examined using the Policy Agendas framework. The findings show that mayors favor economic development over redistribution. There is no evidence that demographic characteristics of cities affect a mayor’s attention to social welfare programs. Mayors focusing on economic development come from poorer and more conservative cities. A large negative effect is found on economic development attention for segregated and highly nonwhite cities.

Playing Offense: How Athletes are Impacting a Changing Administrative State

“…The types of programs that are funded are not independent of the context in which other sports-related public decisions are made; in fact, public funding for local youth, sports, and athletics programs tends to go to sports that are successful at the professional level (e.g., soccer gets more funding than sailing) (Grix et al, 2021). In their study of how mayors address income inequality, Leckrone et al (2015) show mayors favor economic development over redistribution policies.…”

“…When local officials do focus on youth programing, they tend to use public-private partnerships, formed primarily with nonprofits. Stakeholders tout the benefits of these investments “as a means to underprivileged children acquiring social capital from coaches and other volunteer mentors” (Leckrone et al, 2015, p. 248). However, this overlooks the financial barriers that prevent families from low socio-economic groups from participating in and reaping the benefits (Grix et al, 2021; Leckrone et al, 2015; Ramchandani et al, 2018).…”

“…Stakeholders tout the benefits of these investments “as a means to underprivileged children acquiring social capital from coaches and other volunteer mentors” (Leckrone et al, 2015, p. 248). However, this overlooks the financial barriers that prevent families from low socio-economic groups from participating in and reaping the benefits (Grix et al, 2021; Leckrone et al, 2015; Ramchandani et al, 2018). Grix et al (2021, p.6) identify these trends as both “the politics between grassroots and elite sport, and the politics within ‘elite’ sport,” underscoring the political nature of the administrative state.…”