🎪Intro to American Politics Unit 13 – 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 region within a country
  • Typically has its own constitution, legislature, executive branch, and court system
• Local government: level of government responsible for governing a specific city, county, or region within a state
  • Includes cities, counties, townships, and special districts
• Home rule: power of a local government to govern itself without interference from the state government
• Dillon's Rule: legal principle that local governments only have powers expressly granted to them by the state
• Preemption: when a higher level of government (state or federal) restricts or overrides the authority of a lower level of government
• Intergovernmental relations: interactions and relationships between different levels of government (federal, state, and local)
• Unfunded mandates: requirements imposed by a higher level of government on a lower level without providing funding to implement them

Structure of State and Local Governments

• State governments are modeled after the federal government with three branches
  • Legislative branch: typically bicameral with a Senate and House of Representatives responsible for making laws
  • Executive branch: headed by a governor who enforces laws and manages state agencies
  • Judicial branch: state court system that interprets laws and resolves disputes
• Local governments vary in structure depending on the type and state laws
  • Mayor-council: elected mayor serves as chief executive and city council serves as legislative body
  • Council-manager: professional city manager appointed by council to run day-to-day operations
• Counties are regional governments that encompass multiple cities and towns
  • Headed by elected county commissioners or supervisors
• Townships are smaller geographic areas, often in rural regions
• Special districts are created to provide specific services (education, utilities, transportation)

State Constitutions and Laws

• Each state has its own constitution that outlines the structure and powers of the state government
  • Establishes the three branches and their respective roles
  • Defines the rights of citizens within the state
• State constitutions are typically longer and more detailed than the U.S. Constitution
  • Easier to amend through voter initiatives or legislative action
• State laws, also known as statutes, are enacted by the state legislature
  • Cover a wide range of policy areas (criminal justice, education, healthcare)
• State agencies create regulations to implement and enforce state laws
• Local governments must comply with state constitutions and laws
  • Can also enact their own ordinances and regulations within the scope of their authority

Local Government Types and Functions

• Cities and towns provide a variety of services to their residents
  • Police and fire protection, public works (roads, utilities), parks and recreation, land use planning
• Counties typically provide services to unincorporated areas and coordinate regional issues
  • Law enforcement (sheriff), jails, courts, public health, social services
• Townships, common in the Northeast and Midwest, provide limited services in rural areas
  • Road maintenance, cemeteries, property assessment
• Special districts are created to provide specific services across jurisdictional boundaries
  • School districts, transit authorities, water and sewer districts, fire protection districts
• The functions and responsibilities of local governments vary by state and type
  • Some states grant more autonomy to local governments through home rule provisions

State-Local Relationships

• States have ultimate authority over local governments as creations of the state
  • Can create, modify, or abolish local governments through state constitutions and laws
• Dillon's Rule limits local government powers to those expressly granted by the state
  • Narrowly construes local government authority
• Home rule provisions in some state constitutions grant more autonomy to local governments
  • Allows local governments to make decisions on local matters without state interference
• States can preempt local laws and regulations in areas of statewide concern
  • Common in areas like minimum wage, gun control, and environmental regulations
• State and local governments often collaborate on issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries
  • Regional planning, transportation, economic development
• Conflicts can arise between state and local governments over funding, authority, and policy priorities

Funding and Budgets

• State and local governments rely on a mix of revenue sources to fund their operations
  • Taxes (income, sales, property), fees, and intergovernmental transfers
• Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for local governments
  • Based on assessed value of real estate within the jurisdiction
• Sales taxes are levied on goods and services sold within the state or locality
  • Rates and exemptions vary by jurisdiction
• Income taxes are levied by some states and a few local governments
  • Can be flat or progressive rates based on income level
• Fees are charged for specific services (building permits, park admission, vehicle registration)
• Intergovernmental transfers are funds provided by higher levels of government
  • Federal grants to states and state aid to local governments
• State and local governments must balance their budgets each year
  • Required by state constitutions or statutes
• Budget process involves executive proposal, legislative review and approval, and implementation
  • Public input through hearings and comment periods

Policy Areas and Responsibilities

• Education is primarily a state and local responsibility
  • States set standards, funding formulas, and teacher certification requirements
  • Local school districts operate schools and make curriculum decisions
• Public safety is a core function of state and local governments
  • State police and highway patrol, local police and sheriff departments, fire protection
• Transportation infrastructure is planned and maintained by state and local agencies
  • State departments of transportation, regional transit authorities, local public works
• Health and human services are provided by state and local agencies
  • Medicaid, public hospitals, mental health services, child welfare
• Environmental protection is regulated by federal, state, and local agencies
  • Air and water quality, waste management, land use planning
• Economic development is a priority for many state and local governments
  • Tax incentives, workforce training, infrastructure investments
• States have primary responsibility for criminal justice and corrections
  • Enact criminal laws, operate court systems and prisons
• Local governments handle land use planning and zoning
  • Comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, building codes

Citizen Participation and Elections

• Citizen participation is essential for democratic governance at the state and local level
  • Voting in elections, attending public meetings, serving on boards and commissions
• Voter registration is typically handled by state or local election agencies
  • Requirements and procedures vary by state
• State and local elections are held for a variety of offices and issues
  • Governors, state legislators, mayors, city council members, judges, ballot measures
• Nonpartisan elections are common at the local level
  • Candidates do not run with party affiliations
• Initiative, referendum, and recall processes allow citizens to directly shape policy
  • Initiative: citizens propose new laws or constitutional amendments
  • Referendum: citizens approve or reject laws passed by the legislature
  • Recall: citizens remove elected officials from office before the end of their term
• Public meetings and hearings provide opportunities for citizen input on policy decisions
  • Open meeting laws require government bodies to conduct business in public
• Citizen boards and commissions advise elected officials and government agencies
  • Planning commissions, parks and recreation boards, police oversight committees

Current Challenges and Trends

• Fiscal constraints and budget pressures due to economic downturns and rising costs
  • Pension obligations, healthcare costs, aging infrastructure
• Preemption of local authority by state governments on controversial issues
  • Minimum wage, gun control, LGBTQ rights, plastic bag bans
• Regionalism and metropolitan governance to address cross-jurisdictional issues
  • Transportation, economic development, environmental protection
• Demographic shifts and changing population needs
  • Aging population, growing diversity, income inequality
• Cybersecurity threats to state and local government systems and data
  • Ransomware attacks, data breaches, election security
• Climate change impacts on state and local infrastructure and services
  • Sea level rise, extreme weather events, wildfires
• Intergovernmental tensions and conflicts over funding and authority
  • Federal mandates, state preemption, local autonomy
• Civic engagement and trust in government institutions
  • Declining voter turnout, political polarization, misinformation