ABSTRACT
Public authorities as a type of special-purpose government remain one of the fastest-growing forms of government in the United States. They share the features of both governments and businesses, and are responsible for providing and financing myriad of services. Their unique hybrid structure insulates and exempts them from the normal restrictions imposed on other local governments and firms. This gives them the ability to operate in a more flexible and often desirable manner. Yet they are not without their critics. Public authorities are often viewed as undemocratic, unresponsive, and beholden to special interests.
