Devolution: Where's the revolution?

This study assesses the imparts and implications for U.S. cities of the set of congressional actions, presidential orders, and judicial decisions which, together, comprise the so-called "devolution revolution." Based on a survey of chief administrative officers of all cities with a population over 100, 000, the study attempts to assess the impacts of these various devolution policies. Although for a few local officials, devolution policies are seen as being effective; for most, these policies are viewed as having had very little significant policy or programmatic consequences. The study identifies the characteristics of those cities where focal officials believe devolution policies are, and are not, having significant imparts and concludes that the most important long-term implications of devolution policies may be the impacts they are having and will continue to have, on the changing political and administrative leadership skills required in the urban arena.