Political Science Commons^™

Urban-Suburban Clash In Minnesota, Edward L. Henry

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Minnesota has the largest number of townships in the nation, When rural townships experience urbanization and flank existing, older municipalities, problems of externalities arise. That is, action or inaction of the township government affects adjoining municipalities. Attempt to consolidate suburban sprawl in such areas by annexation to mother cities arouses bitter controversy in almost all instances. Minnesota's annexation lows, while in most respects are models, do have a serious defect. This is a referendum provision which subjects the decision of a quasi-judicial boundary commission to veto of the citizens in the annexable area only. As a result, consolidation of sprawl …