Module 2

 

How do state and local governments differ from the federal government? Why do we have them? What kinds of authority is left to the state VS. the Federal government? Why do both the state and Federal levels of government sometimes fall short?

The state government has limited power to one area, this leaves them free to experiment with new laws or legislation to try out in their state. If they work out the federal government would make that a national policy. The local government is given power by the state government, and the citizens of that state play an important role in choosing its elected official. The federal government has the power to challenge any state if they create and use a law, they deem unconstitutional, which is then taken to the supreme court to decide the outcome of that law. The federal government has changed over the last couple of years, the federal government that we have now is a cooperative federalism. I believe that they’re have been variations on that cooperative federalism, today. The federal governments role is to make sure that all the states are function to the best of their ability, and if they fall short or there is an economic crisis the federal government will directly intervene. The issue with this is something or why it falls short is the lack of cooperation with another, as states disagree with the federal government’s decision or the amount of power that they have. This causes time and money to be lost on settling disputes on what is constitutional, and what laws are unconstitutional. Tying the hands of the states and local governments with federal mandates, limiting the amount innovative programs that the states can pursue.