Local government has an incredible impact on our everyday lives, from what we can do with our property, to how quickly emergency services can reach us if we’re in serious distress, to how much money we’ll have in our wallets based on the property and sales tax burdens. That’s why the fundamental beliefs of local elected officials about the role of local government are so vital.

To help the public — and local candidates — understand how to advance freedom and why it is so important, the John Locke Foundation has released the City and County Issue Guide 2014. In this brief video clip, Dr. Roy Cordato, JLF”s vice president for research and resident scholar, discusses key ideas that drive the report’s recommendations. Bottom line: economic freedom and economic prosperity go hand in hand.