🎟️Intro to American Government Unit 14 – State and Local Government

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Federalism: System of government where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments (states)
• State government: Level of government responsible for governing a specific geographic area within a country
  • Typically has its own constitution, legislature, executive branch, and court system
• Local government: Governmental bodies that operate at a smaller scale than state governments (counties, cities, towns)
• Home rule: Principle that allows local governments to exercise powers not specifically prohibited by state law
• Dillon's Rule: Legal principle that local governments only have powers expressly granted by the state
• Preemption: When a higher level of government restricts or overrides the authority of a lower level of government
• Unfunded mandates: Requirements imposed by a higher level of government without providing the necessary funding

Structure of State and Local Governments

• State governments are modeled after the federal government with three branches
  • Executive branch headed by a governor
  • Legislative branch consisting of a state legislature (usually bicameral)
  • Judicial branch with a state supreme court and lower courts
• Local governments vary in structure but often include:
  • Counties: Largest subdivisions within a state, providing services such as law enforcement and public health
  • Municipalities: Cities, towns, and villages responsible for services like public transportation and waste management
  • Special districts: Single-purpose governmental units (school districts, water districts)
• State and local governments may have different forms of government (council-manager, mayor-council, commission)

Powers and Responsibilities

• States have broad powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution
  • Includes education, law enforcement, public health, and transportation
• Local governments derive their powers from the state, which can vary widely
• States and local governments are responsible for providing essential services:
  • Education: Establishing and funding public schools, setting curriculum standards
  • Public safety: Maintaining police departments, fire departments, and emergency services
  • Infrastructure: Building and maintaining roads, bridges, and public transportation systems
  • Health and welfare: Administering programs like Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and child protective services
• States and local governments also regulate businesses, manage land use, and collect taxes

State Constitutions and Charters

• Each state has its own constitution that outlines the structure and powers of its government
  • Often more detailed and longer than the U.S. Constitution
• State constitutions can be amended through various processes (legislative action, citizen initiatives, constitutional conventions)
• Local governments are created by state constitutions or statutes and are granted powers through charters
  • Charters serve as the local government's "constitution" and define its structure, powers, and responsibilities
• The scope of local government authority can be determined by the type of charter:
  • General law charters: Local governments have only powers specifically granted by the state
  • Home rule charters: Local governments have broader authority to govern their own affairs

Funding and Budgets

• States and local governments rely on various revenue sources:
  • Taxes (income, sales, property)
  • Fees and charges for services
  • Intergovernmental transfers (grants from the federal government)
• State and local budgets allocate funds for different purposes (education, public safety, infrastructure)
  • Budget process involves executive and legislative branches working together
• States and local governments must balance their budgets, unlike the federal government
• Economic downturns can significantly impact state and local budgets, leading to spending cuts or tax increases
• Some states have tax and expenditure limitations (TELs) that restrict the growth of government spending or taxes

Elections and Representation

• State and local officials are elected through various methods:
  • Partisan elections: Candidates run with party affiliations (governors, state legislators)
  • Nonpartisan elections: Candidates do not run with party affiliations (many local offices)
• States determine election rules and procedures (voter registration, ballot access, voting methods)
• Redistricting for state and local offices occurs after each decennial census
  • Process can be controversial due to gerrymandering concerns
• Some states and localities have adopted reforms to increase representation and participation:
  • Term limits for elected officials
  • Campaign finance regulations
  • Initiatives and referendums allowing citizens to directly vote on laws or constitutional amendments

Intergovernmental Relations

• Federal, state, and local governments interact and cooperate in various ways:
  • Federal grants to states and localities for specific purposes (Medicaid, transportation)
  • State and local implementation of federal policies and programs
  • Vertical and horizontal intergovernmental agreements and compacts
• Conflicts can arise between levels of government over issues like preemption and unfunded mandates
• States and local governments can act as "laboratories of democracy" by experimenting with policies
  • Successful policies may be adopted by other states or the federal government

Current Issues and Challenges

• Fiscal stress: States and local governments face budget pressures from rising costs and limited revenue sources
  • Pensions and retiree health care obligations are a growing concern
• Infrastructure needs: Aging infrastructure requires significant investment and maintenance
• Education funding and reform: Ensuring equitable and adequate funding for schools and improving student outcomes
• Public safety and criminal justice reform: Addressing issues like police-community relations and mass incarceration
• Climate change and environmental protection: Developing policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts
• Economic development and inequality: Promoting job growth and addressing economic disparities within states and localities
• Preemption and local control: Balancing state authority with the desire for local autonomy on issues like minimum wage and gun control