When it comes to politics, some times you just have to get out there and state the obvious.

Steve points to this new guest column by Decatur Mayor (and GA Municipal Prez) Bill Floyd on Maria Saporta’s SaportaReport.  Here’s an excerpt…

It’s time for the conversation about cities in Georgia to change. But that change will require state leaders to embrace three things.

First, they will need to appreciate the grassroots. Although people may love their state, they don’t live and work and play at the “state level.” Instead, they live their lives at the “local level.” It will be here where leaders will be able to tap into the energy of people and institutions to make a difference.

Two, the state will have to partner with cities to get the results we all seek. Innovation and expertise are found at the local level throughout Georgia.

Third, the state will have to learn to trust her local governments and not legislate to the least common denominator. Instead, they must create the political and policy infrastructure that allows communities to meet the diverse social and economic demands they face, both within their boundaries and in the larger regions they serve.

A tall order indeed.