AP Gov Chapter 3 Vocab

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.