Friday Funny: John Oliver Skewers Special Districts

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver tackles the corruption and mismanagement of special districts, which are well known to professional planners, but perhaps not to the rest of the general public.

1 minute read

March 11, 2016, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


According to the latest episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, there are some 40,000 special districts in the country, spending a total of $100 billion a year.

To Oliver, that those numbers might comes as a surprise to many Americans. In fact: "You may not even know how many districts you are living in right now." Also, Oliver says, "Think of a special district like a cult. It can take your money, and you may not even be aware that you're in one."

To illustrate the strange world of special districts, Oliver gives the Mosquito Control District in the Town of Litchfield, New Hampshire major respect for running their meetings so scrupulously despite a lack of public attention to the proceedings. The Isaacson Municipal Utility District, on the other hand, gets major ignominy for faulty accounting, as does the Garrett Volunteer Fire Department in Floyd County, Kentucky, for spending taxpayer money on fireworks.

Oliver has more examples, all of which show his rare ability to make jokes out of wonky, and depressing topics.

Sunday, March 6, 2016 in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog