Local governments playing better together

One of the key strategies of Northern Kentucky's Vision 2015 plan to move the region forward is called "effective governance."

Sounds pretty dry -- a topic that would appeal only to policy wonks, politicians and political science professors. But, think of this as a topic called "getting more bang out of your tax dollars and making government work better." That gets my attention.

When Vision 2015 was unfolding, people looked at our patchwork quilt of political entities. That's hardly a problem confined to Northern Kentucky. While people feel an emotional attachment to tiny cities, school districts and police departments that were created to deal with the problems of the 1800s or the 1900s, that's not always the best answer today. Bigger isn't always better either, but a fresh look can reap big dividends.

The best example is Northern Kentucky itself. Few would argue that much of Northern Kentucky's economic success of the past decade ties to the willingness of local officials -- pushed hard by business leaders -- to set narrow agendas aside and find smart ways to work together.

Enquirer reporter Scott Wartman had a story today that illustrates the kind of specific steps that equal progress. County and municipal officials are talking about how to expand on Kenton County's one-stop shopping for business license fees. One business license covers you throughout the county and all 17 cities except Covington. (Covington seems to have the hardest time playing with others.)

The cities don't lose revenue. If anything, making it easy causes revenue to increase. The county splits the dollars based on the number of businesses in each municipality. And it sends a business-friendly signal that can echo outside the region.

Campbell, Boone and Kenton officials now are discussing the possibility of a region-wide business license fee. I'm sure there are a lot of complexities and legalities to unwind, but the idea passes the common-sense test as something that ought to happen.