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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Article VI
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A provision of the Constitution that makes the laws and treaties of the federal government the “supreme law of the land.”
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*block grants
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Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for general purposes.
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*categorical grants
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Grants given by the federal government to state and local authorities for a specific purpose defined in a federal law.
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charter
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A special act charter will apply to a specific city while a general act charter applies to all cities within a certain classification (usually based on population). These specify what a city may and may not do. In contrast, a home rule charter allows the city to do anything not prohibited by the charter or state law.
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city (municipal corporation or municipality)
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An entity chartered by the state to exercise certain defined powers and provide certain specific services.
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*confederation (or confederal system)
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A form of government in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the states and local governments, so the national government is dependent on their will.
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*conditions of aid
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A condition which a state government must fulfill in return for taking federal funds.
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devolution
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The return of programmatic management to the states, albeit with some federal guidelines in place.
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Dillon’s rule
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The stipulation that the terms of all municipal charters be narrowly interpreted. Reversed by home rule charters, to some extent.
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*dual federalism
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An interpretation of the Constitution which holds that states are as supreme within their sphere of power as is the federal government within its sphere of power.
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*federal system
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A form of government in which sovereignty is shared, so that on some matters the national government is supreme and on others the states are supreme.
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*federalism
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The division of power between a national government and regional (state) governments, with the national government sovereign and the states retaining significant powers
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*grants-in-aid
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Federal funds provided to states and localities.
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initiative
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A provision that allows voters to place legislative matters directly on the ballot by getting enough signatures on a petition.
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intergovernmental lobby
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Lobbying activities by state and local officials who establish offices in Washington, D.C. to compete for federal funds.
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*mandates
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Requirements imposed on state and local governments to perform. The requirements may have nothing to do with the receipt of federal funds and may originate from court orders.
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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
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A Supreme Court decision that settled two issues. First, Congress can exercise powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution if the power can be implied from an enumerated power. This authority is conferred by the “necessary and proper” clause. Second, the federal government is immune to taxation by the states.
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*necessary and proper clause
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The final paragraph of Article I, section 8 of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers.
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*nullification
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A doctrine espoused on behalf of the states’ rights position which holds that states are empowered to void federal laws considered in violation of the Constitution.
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ordinances
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City laws.
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police power
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The power of a government to enact laws and regulations that promote citizens’ health, safety, and morals.
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recall
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A provision that allows voters to remove a duly-elected official from office.
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referendum
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A provision that allows voters to reject a measure voted by the legislature in the election ballot.
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*revenue sharing
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A grant-in-aid program that allowed states maximum discretion in the spending of federal funds. States were not required to supply matching funds and they received money according to a statistical formula. The program was terminated in 1986.
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*sovereignty
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The supreme or ultimate political authority. A sovereign government is one that is legally and politically independent of any other government.
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Tenth Amendment
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An amendment to the Constitution which defines the powers of the states, stipulating that the states (or the people) retain all powers not specifically delegated to the national government by the Constitution.
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*unitary system
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A system in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the national government, so that subnational units are dependent on its will.
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