AP Federalism

Clean Air Act

1970- law that established national standards for states, strict auto emissions guidelines, and regulations, which set air pollution standards for private industry

Block Grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

Delegated Power

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to coin money.

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state governments. Ex. Education

Concurrent Powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. ex. tax, regulate banks, punish lawbreakers

McCulloch v Maryland*

Supreme Court ruling (1819) confirming the supremacy of national over state government. (struck down state tax on national bank) Also ruled the national government can create a bank based on the necessary and proper clause (tax, borrow, spend)

Barron v Baltimore

The 1833 Supreme Court decision holding that the Bill of Rights restrained only the national government, not the states and cities.

Dual Federalism

Doctrine holding that the national government is supreme in its sphere, the states are supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept separate. layer cake

Nullification

A state's refusal to recognize an act of Congress that it considers unconstitutional

Dred Scott v Sanford

Supreme Court case that decided US Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in federal territories and slaves, as private property, could not be taken away without due process - basically slaves would remain slaves in non-slave states and slaves could not sue because they were not citizens

Cooperative Federalism

The intertwined relationship between the national, state, and local governments that began with the New Deal, often referred to as marble-cake federalism.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Ex. school lunch program; Head-start

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states. Policy pursued by the Reagan Administration in the 1980's. Ex. turning welfare into a block grant

Unfunded mandates

Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding. ex. Americans with Disabilities act

Revenue Sharing

the distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

U.S. v Lopez*

Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Americans With Disabilities Act

Passed by Congress in 1991, this act banned discrimination against the disabled in employment and mandated easy access to all public and commercial buildings. Example of a mandate.

No Child Left Behind

2001 law where the Federal Government set high standards and measurable goals for education...forced states. The cost of implementing the standard fell to state and local governments. Ex. mandate

Welfare Reform Act of 1996

increased the power of the states relative to the federal government

replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program with block grants to the states

illustrated the process of devolution by giving states greater discretion to determine how to implement the federal goal of transferring people from welfare to work

National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984

Reduced federal hwy funding for states that did not raise legal age to 21 (use of spending clause by the federal government to force states to act a certain way)

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Unitary Government

A way of organizing a nation so that all power resides in the central government.

Confederacy

A loose union of independent states

National Powers (delegated)

declare war, make treaties and conduct foreign relations, coin money (make), regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies and navy, create federal courts, make laws necessary and proper to carry out the above powers

State Powers (Reserved)

Regulate intrastate commerce, establish local governments, establish public schools, administer elections, establish licensing requirements, regulate health, safety and morals, marriage laws

Medicaid

Federal program that provides medical benefits for low-income persons.

SNAP benefits

Federal program providing food assistance to low-income individuals and families.