I wrote 2,300 words last year about how even the smallest local governments are reluctant to merge with neighbors -- and how states struggle to prod them to consolidate. I should have just linked to this story about New Jersey from the Philadelphia Inquirer and called it a day:
When Gov. [Jon] Corzine signed a bill last week that established a process to eliminate 26 small school districts that do not operate schools, it seemed to many people a no-brainer. Legislative sponsors hailed it as a commonsense step toward consolidation that would save public money and still support education.
...
But, like most things in life and government, it's not that simple.
Critics say some homeowners in the newly merged districts will pay higher property taxes - if not now, then down the line. They also argue that voters should have had a voice in what happened to their districts.
