L6_Federalism: National, State, and Local Powers

Gerrymandering

• Drawing the boundaries of a legislative district with the intent of giving one party or group a significant advantage.

• A method of voting that allows citizens to directly participate in legislation.

• A process of redistricting that aims to create equal representation for all parties.

• A strategy used by political parties to increase voter turnout in elections.

Unfunded Mandate

• A regulation or policy imposed by the national government on state and local governments without adequate federal funds to carry out the policy.

• A financial grant provided by the federal government to support state and local initiatives.

• A law that requires states to implement certain policies with full federal funding.

• A voluntary program that states can choose to participate in without any federal requirements.

Apportionment

• The process of dividing a budget among departments.

• The distribution of seats in a legislature according to law.

• A method for calculating taxes based on income.

• The allocation of resources in a business setting.

Supremacy Clause

• A clause in the U.S. Constitution stating that federal law is the "supreme law of the land," and thus takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

• A provision that allows states to override federal laws when they conflict.

• A section of the Constitution that limits the powers of the federal government.

• A rule that mandates all states must follow the same laws regardless of federal regulations.

Interstate Commerce

• Trade that takes place between two states or among several states.

• Trade that occurs only within a single state.

• Trade that involves international borders.

• Trade that is regulated solely by local governments.

Expressed Powers

• The powers given specifically to the national government by the U.S. Constitution; also known as enumerated or delegated powers.

• Powers that are implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

• Powers reserved for the states under the Tenth Amendment.

• Powers that are shared between the national and state governments.

redistricting

• the process of redrawing the geographic boundaries of legislative districts after a census to reflect population changes

• a method of voting that allows citizens to directly vote on legislation

• the process of determining the number of representatives each state has in Congress

• a strategy used by political parties to gain an advantage in elections

Concurrent Powers

• Powers exclusive to the national government.

• Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

• Powers reserved for state governments only.

• Powers that are denied to both national and state governments.

intrastate commerce

• trade that takes place within the borders of a state

• trade that occurs between different states

• trade that involves international borders

• trade that is regulated by federal law

Block Grant

• A type of federal grant that provides state and local governments with a specified amount of funding to assist in addressing broad purposes, such as community development or social services.

• A federal grant that is awarded based on competitive applications from local governments.

• A type of grant that requires matching funds from state governments.

• A small grant given to individuals for specific projects.