Responsiveness of Intergovernmental Aid to Urban Problems in New Jersey and New York, 1976-1984

Abstract

After establishing that the distribution of federal and state aid to cities in New Jersey and New York was stable between 1976 and 1984, the author examines the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and aid receipts. When single years are examined, both federal and state payments are found to be broadly redistributive, especially in New Jersey. However, when change over these years is examined, the greatest federal losses are found for cities with the highest socioeconomic needs. Changes in New Jersey were more responsive to urban distress. Discussion of these differences focuses on dissimilarities in the political compromises that are reached at the state government level.