The Chicago metropolitan area, for example, sends many more goods to other parts of the U.S. than to foreign countries. In some cases, differing rules and regulations in U.S. states may hamper such trade. Hewings suggested that barriers to intra-regional trade, such as varying occupational licenses and weight and length limits on trucks, should be examined to ensure that they are necessary. These states have avoided major tax increases throughout the 1990s, building substantial budget reserves and avoiding the creation of expensive new spending programs. This prudent fiscal policy leaves the region s governments in good shape to accept new responsibilities from the federal government.
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Continue to develop equitable and diversified tax systems that do not rely on one primary source of revenue. Continue prudent spending policies that support sustainable growth. Encourage the development of a wide range of state and regional economic information to ensure that policymakers are fully informed when crafting policy. Examine intra-regional trade barriers to ensure that they are necessary.