What does this indicator measure?

This indicator is a measure of the Special District Governments per 10,000 people in the Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s).  The measure is also included for the aggregate of the United States and the 100 Largest Metro Areas, and was collected in 2007.

Governance affects the region’s ability to adapt in the face of economic shocks, and both vertical and horizontal relationships matter.  Recent empirical work by Chris Berry (2009) suggests that the proliferation of vertical governments especially, like special districts, is detrimental to efficiency and performance. –explanation courtesy of the Brookings Institute