Federal Levels Of Government

Under the U.S. federal system of government, the powers of each level of government are clearly defined and understood. At the top, the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All levels of government must obey the Constitution. For example, no state or city can require public officials to do things that are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. State constitutions set up rules that govern the people of each state. Though each level has its defined roles, many issues call for cooperation among local, state, and federal governments. A good example can be seen in the nation’s roads and highway systems. Today every state has a network of roads built with local, state, and federal funds. Today more than “46,000 miles of the Interstate Highway System connect almost all parts of the country” (History.com Staff, 2010). The federal government pays 90 percent of the cost of building and maintaining the system and assists state and local governments in building and maintaining other highways. …show more content…
For example, project grants are federal funds given to state and local governments for “specific activities, such as scientific research, homeland security, and some educational programs” (Magleby, Light, & Nemacheck, pg. 43). The government receiving the funds must meet certain standards and conditions, and apply for the funding. Like project grants, block grants are funds given by the federal government to state and local governments. However, block grants are given for broadly defined purposes. State and local governments develop and carry out the programs on which the funds will be spent. However, they must establish a spending plan and report expenditures to the federal