The draconian law is not a way of averting "thief and brigand". He thinks that the government should expand the authority of the officials of local governments and make them answer various aspect.

严刑峻法也不是消弭“盗贼的有效办法，他觉得应“宽法任吏”，适当扩大地方官的权力，使其能不拘守于法条而灵活应对各种局面。”

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Richard Brodsky, a former Democratic assemblyman who is now with the Wagner School at New York University and has been working with local officials, said the rising costs of health care and pensions of public workers is hitting local governments as cities outside New York City are losing population and tax base.

WSJ: Gov. Cuomo ready to work with NY's troubled cities

In parts of the Dakotas, officials cancelled classes and many local governments closed offices.

NPR: Spring Storm Crawls Eastward; Dumps Snow, Rain

Officials have justified the practice as a way of reducing incentives for local governments forcibly to appropriate farmland and sell it to developers.

ECONOMIST: Urbanisation