State and Local Scenarios

A state is required by the federal government to expand a program but is not given enough funding to support it. What concept is this?

Unfunded mandate

The federal and state governments are working together to fund and run a healthcare program. What type of federalism is this?

→ Cooperative federalism

A state passes its own environmental law that is stricter than federal law. What does this demonstrate?

→ State authority within federalism

A state constitution is 10x longer than the U.S. Constitution and includes detailed policies about education and taxes. Why?

→ State constitutions are more detailed

A state easily changes its constitution to adjust a tax policy. What does this show?

→ Flexible amendment process

A group of citizens believes their vote won’t matter, so they don’t vote. What concept explains this?

→ Low political efficacy

A corporation spends money to support a candidate who supports their policies. What is this?

→ PAC activity / campaign influence

A group meets with lawmakers to try to influence a new law. What are they doing?

→ Lobbying

A lawmaker works part-time and has another job outside of politics. What type of legislature is this?

→ Citizen legislature

A governor rejects only part of a budget bill but allows the rest to pass. What power is this?

→ Line-item veto

A governor leads the state response during a natural disaster. What role is being demonstrated?

→ Chief executive / crisis leadership

Voters directly choose judges during elections. What system is this?

→ Judicial elections

A city cannot pass a law unless the state allows it. What principle is this?

→ Dillon’s Rule

A city creates its own policies without needing state approval. What is this?

→ Home Rule

A school district only focuses on education and nothing else. What type of government is this?

→ Special district

A homeowner pays taxes based on the value of their house. What type of tax is this?

→ Property tax

A state increases taxes on purchases like clothing and food. What type of tax is this?

→ Sales tax

One state invests heavily in education, while another spends very little. What concept explains this difference?

→ Policy diversity among states

A state tests a new environmental policy that other states later adopt. What concept is this?

→ Laboratories of democracy

A state focuses on economic growth and limited government involvement. What political culture is this?

→ Individualistic culture

A state prioritizes policies that benefit the public as a whole (education, welfare). What culture is this?

→ Moralistic culture

A state maintains long-standing power structures and resists change. What culture is this?

→ Traditionalistic culture