American Government Third Edition - Chapter 14: State and Local Government

Introduction

• National policy decisions often dominate media, but state and local governments directly affect daily life.
• State and local governments provide resources like road maintenance, water supply, and educational funding.
• Questions explored include the authority of state/local governments, tensions with national government, and powers of mayors and governors.

14.1 State Power and Delegation

Learning Objectives

• Explain how power balance shifted with the Constitution.
• Identify constitutional parts granting national vs. states' powers.
• Discuss federal control over state policies via fiscal policies.

State Power at the Founding

• Pre-Constitution state power exceeded national power under the Articles of Confederation.
• National government was limited; states had substantial independence and authority.
• Each state had authority to collect taxes and amend the Articles required unanimous state approval.

Shift to the U.S. Constitution

• Constitution divided power between national/state governments, introducing federalism.
• Added branches: President (executive) and Supreme Court (judicial).
• Delegated powers in Article 1 Section 8, Article 2 Sections 2 and 3; implied powers from the elastic clause.
• Supremacy Clause (Article 6) resolves federal/state law conflicts in favor of federal government.

Reserved and Concurrent Powers

• States retain powers like local government establishment and constitutional amendment ratification.
• 10th Amendment supports state authority and reserved powers.
• Concurrent powers: taxation, interstate commerce regulation, and law enforcement.

Fiscal Policies and National Influence

• Use of categorical grants and unfunded mandates to exert control.
• Welfare reform example: states gain discretion over welfare policy.
• States can set policies like abortion regulations and marijuana use, despite federal laws.

14.2 State Political Culture

Learning Objectives

• Compare political cultures: moralistic, individualistic, traditionalistic.
• Cultural differences influence government roles and citizen participation.
• Critiques of Elazar's theory.

Political Culture Types

• Moralistic: Government seen as positive, promotes general welfare.
• Individualistic: Government addresses individual issues, seen like a marketplace.
• Traditionalistic: Government maintains social order, favors elites.

Critiques

• Immigration patterns and cultural shifts question Elazar's classifications.
• Difficulty in quantifying culture limits explanatory power.

14.3 Governors and State Legislatures

Learning Objectives

• Identify governor's powers and responsibilities.
• Describe state legislature's functions and variations.

Governor's Role

• Spokesperson, decision-making in crises, policy implementation.
• Power over legislative process through vetoes, budget proposals, and agenda setting.
• Influences include state of the state addresses and budget management.

State Legislature Functions

• Law-making, representation, and oversight.
• Committee work is essential; many bills die in committee.
• Legislatures act as delegates or trustees representing constituents.

Composition

• Varies in size, diversity, party composition, and professionalism.
• Influence of party control on policy and governor's ability to implement agenda.

14.4 State Legislative Term Limits

Learning Objectives

• Describe history and pros/cons of term limits.

Term Limits

• Limit member service time; affects turnover, diversity, and legislative power balance.
• Proponents argue for fresh ideas, opponents cite loss of experience and influence shifts.

14.5 County and City Government

Learning Objectives

• Differences between county and municipal government responsibilities.
• Types of government systems.

County Government

• Larger than municipalities but smaller than states, act as administrative units.
• Governed by commission, council-administrator, or council-elected executive systems.

City Government

• Oversee city functions such as utilities, zoning, and law enforcement.
• Mayor-council and council-manager are common systems.

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and functions of state and local governments, their historical context, cultural influences, and governance structures, highlighting the complexities of power distribution in American federalism.