Principles of American Metropolitan Governance presents a comprehensive set of specific, politically practical actions that should be taken by all fifty states and local governments to organize and empower effective area wide decision-making and improve governmental performance in America's metropolitan areas. "Principles" is the first book in its subject field to identify a dual purpose, or mission, for metropolitan governance in the United States: (1) provide the area wide infrastructure -- the support system -- that maximizes individual opportunity; and (2) manage area wide growth in a way that sustains both the economy and the environment. In order to provide a context for its recommendations, and to help metro decision-makers fulfill their mission, the book also describes: (a) a uniquely comprehensive picture of the federal government's impacts on the nation's metropolitan areas; (b) the interests, responsibilities and authorities of states in establishing and maintaining effective governance in their metropolitan areas; and (c) how metro area decision-makers perform their duties within the constitutional, statutory and regulatory framework established by the federal and state governments. Principles of American Metropolitan Governance is written in plain language, is well-documented, and is suitable for any 'student' of metropolitan America, including governors and other state officials, mayors and other locally elected officials, urban administrative and planning professionals, as well as graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in urban studies and related courses.