In a federal system, cities are at the mercy of state governments which shape and constrain local policies and revenues. Julia Payson reveals that many cities rely on lobbying to ensure that they do not remain powerless in this system. With sophisticated methods, novel data, and clear writing, Payson skillfully maps the landscape of intergovernmental lobbying. She convincingly demonstrates that cities see important returns to their efforts, but unequally so. As is so
often the case in the American political system, the wealthiest communities reap the most rewards.
