Hyper preemption: A reordering of the state-local relationship?

The role of cities in our federalist system is once again in the news. President Donald Trump's executive order purporting to cut federal funding for "sanctuary cities" made headlines across the country. However, this federal-municipal showdown is part of a much larger story about the changing regulatory role of cities. Even as cities cast themselves as defiant against conservative federal policies, many are finding themselves in a much weaker position with respect to state policymaking.