Electoral Support for Community Growth Management Policy

    Authors

    C. Hawkins

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Soc. Sci. Q.

    Keywords

    LAND-USE REGULATION; BALLOT MEASURES; IMPACT FEES; OPEN SPACES; DETERMINANTS; CONSTRUCTION; POLITICS; MACHINE; Political Science; Sociology

    Abstract

    Objectives This study seeks to explain the variation in voter support for growth management policy. Interest group theory of local politics and property rights is used as a theoretical framework to explore how competing pro-growth and anti-growth interests influence the level of electoral support at the ballot box. Methods Survey data collected from local planning officials in Massachusetts are analyzed using a two-stage Heckman selection model. Results The results indicate that development competition has a negative effect and controversy over development a positive effect on the probability of a community placing growth management policy on the local ballot. The analysis further indicates that environmental interests and suburban communities have a positive influence on the percentage of votes cast in favor of conservation-oriented growth management policy. Neighborhood-based interests, on the other hand, have a negative influence on voter support. Conclusions The findings suggest that compared to the normal legislative process, ballot-box voting allows anti-growth and localized interests the opportunity to craft proposals and then mobilize support for policy changes.

    Journal Title

    Social Science Quarterly

    Volume

    92

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    268

    Last Page

    284

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000286942300014

    ISSN

    0038-4941

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