But the diversity of legal authorities, budgets and staff levels of oversight agencies would not allow this to happen smoothly (Caruso). The proposed Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2009 hoped to authorize the Department of Transportation to establish the minimum safety standards for all rail systems throughout the country (Caruso, 2009). It would also give the department the choice of creating a safety program for public bus systems. The bill would allow federal assistance for the States' oversight personnel in enforcing the new rules. They would also require state safety agencies to be financially independent from the transit systems under their supervision (Caruso).

Is it time that the federal government step in and take over the safety regulation of local rail transit system (Caruso, 2009)? Or is it just that the existing state-based system simply needs improvement and more funding? It must be time to fix the appropriate federal role in the heightening rail transit safety situation (Caruso).

Conclusion: The Better Choice

Like Congress and state legislatures, local governing bodies, such as city councils or town boards, are composed of representatives formally chosen by the people they govern (Gifford, 2013). Working and maintaining for the best interest of a given community is much easier and more appropriate if the decision-making function comes from those who oversee the operations of the locality so that the residents will directly benefit from their services. Operation and oversight by the local government better allow the directly and popularly elected representatives to be more effective. They are also more easily identified and relate with as friends, neighbors or fellow workers. Thus, they are much more approachable and easier to reach than federal officials (Gifford).

Local governments are better able to deliver their tax-paid and funded services...

The police chief, educational board of directors, or public works planners should be able to report to the mayor or town. The supervisor. The local government has a direct say about the concerns of these departments. These departments meet with the councilors on matters that concern both groups (Caruso).
Political leaders aspiring for continued public office try to win local votes by expressing their intention to improve lives in the community (Caruso, 2013). When elected, they gain power to tighten peace and order, introduce needed educational reforms or work for the legislation of new and needed roads and infrastructure (Caruso)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CATO (2001). The expanding federal police power. CATO Handbook for the 105th

Congress. CATO Institute. Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.cato.org/site/cato.org/files/serials/files/cato-handbook-policymakers/2001/hb107-16.pdf

Caruso, L. (2009). Should the federal government take over regulation of rail transit safety? National Journal: National Journal Group, Inc. Retrieved on April 30, 2013

from https://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/should-the-federal-government.php

ED (2012). The federal role in education. ED.gov.: U.S. Department of Education.

Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/role.html

Gifford, a. (2013). What is the role and function of a local government? eHow:

Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.ehow.com/about_6517559_role-function-local-government.html

White House, the (2013). State and local government. WhiteHouse.gov. Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/state-and-local-government