ABSTRACT
No single document tells more about a local government than its budget. Simply put, a budget is the ultimate expression of political power and policy priorities in a city. A careful or even cursory examination of the annual budget of a city or county reveals its sources of funds and the way the money is spent. We can see what they do and to some extent how they do it. We can extrapolate aspects of local politics, including how a community’s political energies are exerted in acquiring revenues and which programs have political support. Much about relations with other governments is also revealed. In general, “following the money” is a good way to get an overview of government and politics at any level.
