Principles of Home Rule for the 21st Century

State-level preemptions and outdated legal frameworks often limit local governments' ability to address modern challenges, undermining their democratic authority and fiscal stability. This report outlines updated principles of home rule that advocate for local governments to have broad legal and fiscal authority, protection from state interference, and autonomy in democratic processes. It provides a model constitutional article to guide states in restructuring their legal frameworks, emphasizing local governments' ability to innovate, govern independently, and foster responsive democracy.