OPINION/COLUMN
I hope you all are enjoying these cooler temperatures as much as I am! It is finally starting to feel like fall, and we can enjoy a walk around the neighborhood without breaking a sweat! Speaking of our neighborhoods and communities, I want to take a moment this week to explain the differences between city and state governments and the responsibilities each has in serving Oklahomans.
I am thankful that so many of you call my office with your questions. I always encourage you to reach out to my office with your concerns, and I appreciate staying informed about what is happening in our communities.
However, many of the issues brought to my attention fall under the responsibility of city government, meaning local officials are the ones with the authority to make those changes.
An important thing to keep in mind is that state lawmakers do not directly manage city governments. They establish laws that can affect how cities operate, while locally elected officials make many of the decisions for their own communities.
City government focuses on the needs and services of a community or municipality, while state government establishes statewide laws and funds the state budget.
I am grateful for this distinction because I firmly believe in the importance of local control. The people who live and work in our communities understand their unique needs and challenges better than anyone, and I believe decisions affecting those communities are often best made at the local level.
Let’s talk about the difference.
City governments make decisions that affect their individual communities and are often led by a mayor or city manager, depending on the city’s structure. City councils pass local ordinances rather than state laws, focusing on essential services and the immediate needs of their communities. These services are primarily funded through local taxes, fees and other revenue sources.
Examples of the services that city governments are responsible for include maintaining city streets, repairing potholes and managing traffic signals, as well as funding and overseeing local police and fire departments.
Cities also provide or arrange essential services such as water, sewer and trash collection, while maintaining public parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities. City governments establish local ordinances that address issues such as zoning, noise regulations and property maintenance.
There are also times when city governments want to take certain actions but cannot do so without permission from the state. For example, municipalities cannot simply create new types of taxes whenever they want.
The Oklahoma Legislature may first have to pass a law giving cities the authority to collect those taxes. Once that authority is granted, local officials can decide how to proceed within the limits of state law.
Now state government is responsible for issues that affect people across Oklahoma, not just one community.
These responsibilities could include setting statewide education policies and providing funding for public schools, maintaining state highways and overseeing transportation programs.
State government also establishes criminal laws, supports state agencies, regulates healthcare services and oversees programs such as Medicaid.
Furthermore, state lawmakers determine state tax policies, approve the state budget and decide how funding is allocated to various agencies and programs.
I hope this brings a little clarity on the city versus state governments. If you all have any questions, please reach out to my office. It is an honor to serve you!
You can email me at cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7365.
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
