New Jersey

It's called "home rule." It is debated off and on in NJ when living costs soar.

I don't know the details of the history of the effort to combine services. I'm sure it has been written up somewhere.

One reason no one ever achieves cost control is that there is an endless supply of Manhattan couples who come out here to raise their families. They are high income and don't mind paying the outrageous taxes (we are highest in the nation) because they would spend that anyway on private schools in NYC.

Look up some of the salaries for school principals and superintendents.

It's the same in the colleges and universities. In one county college I know of, the president pulls in almost half a million with her bonus plus she gets a free vehicle.

I know all this because I'm in the teacher's union; former college prof but now consultant to public school system. And no I do not have a big fat contract but I do have a job I love and can work my own hours. Essentially no boss.