Louisville finds it difficult to finance its public services because of severe state restrictions imposed on its revenue-raising power - and because its citizens rebel at having their taxes raised. This has adversely affected the city's school system (although reforms have recently been initiated). This study documents the difficulties in overcoming local government fragmentation and in planning for areawide public services. Normal difficulties in these fields are compounded in the Louisville metropolitan area because it straddles two states. But interstate cooperation - and the cooperation and consolidation of local governments - have speeded progress in planning and providing for areawide services.