What is a key issue that varies by region and state in the context of governance?

The public revenue base is a key issue that varies significantly by region and state due to the differences in economic conditions, population demographics, and local policy decisions. Each state possesses unique sources of revenue, such as income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and various fees, which can lead to major disparities in funding for public services and governance. For instance, states with a robust tech industry may rely more on income taxes compared to those with agrarian economies that might depend heavily on property taxes.

In contrast, standardized education often aims for uniformity across states through federal guidelines, thereby limiting regional variation. Environmental regulations can vary, but they are often influenced by federal laws that provide a framework; thus, while they differ, they do not vary as widely as other issues. Treaty agreements are mainly a matter of federal jurisdiction, which limits their variance at the state level. Therefore, the public revenue base stands out as a significant governance issue where regional and state differences have profound impacts on the overall functioning of government.