block grants
National funding with minimal restrictions to the states on its use and is preferred by the states.
categorical grants
National funding that is restricted to specific categories of expenditures, is preferred by the national government, and is the most commonly used form of funding.
concurrent powers
Shared between both levels of government such as the power to collect taxes, the power to make and enforce laws, and the power to build roads.
denied power
Powers rejected for both state and national governments.
devolution
Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments
enumerated powers/delegated
Written in the Constitution
Federalism
The system of government in the United States in which power is shared between the national and state governments.
Federalist 51
Explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control potential abuses by majorities.
fiscal federalism
The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments.
Formula grants
Federal categorical grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations.
Fourteenth Amendment
Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause as applied to the states
Full faith and credit clause
A clause in Article IV of the Constitution requiring each state to recognize the public acts, record, an judicial proceedings of all other states
Grants-in-aid
Federal funds appropriated by Congress for distribution to state and local governments.
implied powers
Not specifically written in the Constitution but are inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause
inherent powers
Those not explicitly stated in the Constitution that allows the government to take actions, which are needed to efficiently perform essential duties
McCulloch v.Maryland
In deciding this case about a national bank and state taxes, the court established supremacy of the US Constitution and federal laws over state laws.
Necessary and proper/elastic clause
Gives Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers, but Supreme Court interpretations can influence the extent of these powers.
privileges and immunities clause
The provision of the Constitution according citizens of each state the privileges of citizens of any state in which they happen to be.
project grants
Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications.
reserved powers
Those not delegated or enumerated to the national government, but are reserved to the states, as stated in the Tenth Amendment.
revenue sharing
National funding with almost no restrictions to the states on its use and is the least used form of funding.
supremacy clause
Gives the national government and its laws general precedence over states’ laws, but Supreme Court interpretations may affect when specific actions exceed this constitutional power.
Tenth Amendment
The last of the Bill of Rights to define the balance of power between the federal government and the states; establishes reserved powers of the states.
mandate
Required by the national government of the states.
Unfunded mandates
Any federal regulation issued to lower levels of government will not come with any federal funds.
US v Lopez
Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause when it made possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.