1. American Federalism
Lesson 26

2. Lesson Objectives
Explain how American federalism involves divided sovereignty and on going effort to balance power between the national and state governments.
Explain the function of three basic kinds of local governmental units
Give examples of governmental innovations at the state and local levels
Take, evaluate and defend positions on continuing issues related to America’s unite system of federalism

3. Constitutional status of state governments
States were only units of the only units of government after the Revolution.
Under the Articles they had sovereignty, freedom and independence
Constitution created a new national government– left many governmental powers to the states
States play an important role
Article VII – nine states to ratify
House and Senate represent states
States have a role in the Electoral College

4. Article I sect. 10 lists the powers states do not have
10th Amendment: powers not delegated to the United State by Constitution, belong to the states.
Reserved powers – police powers
Health, safety, welfare and the morals of those within jurisdiction
Law creation
Public schools
Civil and criminal laws
Land use and regulations

5. Constitution supreme law
States have many reserved powers
Must follow the Constitution
Tension between the power of the national government and the states
Ambiguity about which level of the government has power over domestic politics are considered to be the genius of the American system.

6. Organization of the state governments
Bill of Rights
Three branches of government
Legislative
Bicameral – except for Nebraska
Both houses must represent population
Can enact laws on speed limits, crimes to health care, education, land use
Executive
Governor, Lt. Governor
Collectively states employ a large number of people
Judicial
State courts have original and appellate jurisdiction

7. Local Governments State Constitutions create local governments
Local governments get their power from State rights under the Constitution
Counties
Voting
Record keeping
Births
Deaths
Land transfers
Cities/Municipalities
Special Districts
Schools
Libraries
Natural Resource Conservation

8. State Constitutions
Constitutions were adopted in 1776 for first states.
Amended over thousands of times
Changes are made through the initiative process
Amendments often reflect state responses to policy debates

9. Federalism in practice
Regulation of commerce
Conflicts can arise
New York required captains to post bonds for those who they though would be paupers
Such action could impact trade
Grants in Aid programs
States supply a plan in order to receive this assistance
Conditions apply

10. Laboratories of Democracy
States are considered laboratories of democracy because they implement novel social and economic policies.
Initiate, referendum, recall
Initiative
Direct: drafts a law or a constitutional amendment go to the people for a vote
Indirect: if proposals are not accepted by the legislature they go to the ballot
Referendum
Approved by the legislature, put to a popular vote
Recall
Removed elected employee from office
Environmental
Health Care