AP Gov Unit 2 Quiz Two Materials

Fiscal federalism

The federal government’s use of grants and funding to influence state and local government policies.

Categorical grants

Federal grants given to state or local governments for a specific purpose

Nondiscrimination provision

A requirement that organizations receiving federal funds cannot discriminate against protected groups.

Formula grants

Categorical grants distributed according to a set formula based on factors such as population

Project grants

Categorical grants awarded competitively to states

Block grants

Federal grants given for a broad policy area with fewer restrictions

Crosscutting requirements/mandates

Federal requirements that apply to many or all programs receiving federal funds

Unfunded mandates

Federal requirements imposed on state or local governments without providing enough federal money to pay for them.

United States v. Windsor (2013)

Supreme Court case that struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act provision defining marriage as only between a man and woman

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Supreme Court case holding that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize same-sex marriages.

Advantages of federalism

Allows states to create policies for local needs

Disadvantages of federalism

Can create unequal policies and services between states