State and Local Government Final Exam

State and Local Governments

Provide everyday services like education, policing, and infrastructure

Capacity

Ability of a government to carry out policies effectively

Responsiveness

How well government meets the needs of citizens

Intergovernmental Relations

Interactions between federal, state, and local governments

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments

Dual Federalism

National and state governments operate separately

Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments work together

New Federalism

Shift of power from federal government back to states

Mandates

Federal requirements states must follow (often without funding)

State Constitution

Legal framework for state government (longer and more detailed than U.S.)

Amendment Process

Method of changing a constitution (easier at state level)

Bill of Rights (State)

Protections of individual liberties at state level

Political Efficacy

Belief that one’s participation matters

Voter Turnout

Percentage of eligible voters who vote

Interest Groups

Organizations that influence government policy

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Group that raises and spends money for campaigns

Lobbying

Attempting to influence government decisions

State Legislature

Lawmaking body of the state

Citizen Legislature

Part-time lawmakers with other careers

Governor

Chief executive of a state

Veto Power

Ability to reject legislation

Line-Item Veto

Ability to reject specific parts of a bill

Bureaucracy

Government agencies that implement laws

State Judiciary

Court system that interprets laws

Judicial Elections

Process of voters selecting judges

Local Government

Government at the county, city, or district level

County Government

Administrative division of a state

Municipal Government

City or town government

Special Districts

Single-purpose governments (schools, water, etc.)

Dillon’s Rule

Local governments only have the powers given by the state

Public Expenditures

Government spending

Major Spending Areas

Education, healthcare, public safety

Political Culture

Shared beliefs about government

Individualistic Culture

Focus on personal success, limited government

Moralistic Culture

Government promotes public good

Traditionalistic Culture

Maintain existing power structures