Chapter 3 Vocab

Question 1

Article VI

Answer 1

A provision of the Constitution that makes the laws and treaties of the federal government the “supreme law of the land.”

Question 2

block grants

Answer 2

Grants given by the federal government to state and local governments for general purposes.

Question 3

categorical grants

Answer 3

Grants given by the federal government to state and local governments for a specific purpose defined in a federal law.

Question 4

charter

Answer 4

Charters specify what a city can and cannot do.

A special act charter applies to a specific city.

A general act charter applies to all cities within a certain classification.

A home rule charter allows the city to do anything not prohibited by the charter or state law.

Question 5

city (municipal corporation or municipality)

Answer 5

An entity chartered by the state to exercise certain defined powers and provide certain specific services.

Question 6

confederation (confederal system)

Answer 6

A form of government in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the state and local governments.

Question 7

conditions of aid

Answer 7

A condition which a state government must fulfill in return for taking federal funds.

Question 8

devolution

Answer 8

The return of programmatic management to the states, but with some federal guidelines in place.

Question 9

Dillon’s rule

Answer 9

The requirement that the terms of all municipal charters be narrowly interpreted.

Question 10

dual federalism

Answer 10

An interpretation of the Constitution that states are as supreme in their sphere of power as is the federal government in its sphere of power.

Question 11

federal system

Answer 11

A form of government in which sovereignty is shared between a national government and local governments.

Question 12

federalism

Answer 12

The division of power between a national government and regional (state) governments, with the national government sovereign and the states retaining significant powers.

Question 13

grants-in-aid

Answer 13

Federal funds provided to state and local governments.

Question 14

initiative

Answer 14

A provision allowing voters to place legislative matters directly on the ballot by getting enough signatures on a petition.

Question 15

intergovernmental lobby

Answer 15

Lobbying activities by state and local officials who establish offices in Washington, D.C. to compete for federal funds.

Question 16

mandates

Answer 16

Requirements imposed on state and local governments to perform.

Question 17

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Answer 17

A Supreme Court decision which established the authority of Congress to exercise powers implied by the Constitution, granted by the “necessary and proper” clause. Also decided the federal government was immune to state taxation.

Question 18

necessary and proper clause

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

nullification

Answer 19

The concept that a state may void federal laws considered in violation of the Constitution.

Question 20

ordinances

Answer 20

City laws.

Question 21

police power

Answer 21

The power of a government to enact laws and regulations that promote citizens’ health, safety, and morals.

Question 22

recall

Answer 22

A provision that allows voters to remove an elected official from office.

Question 23

referendum

Answer 23

A provision that allows voters to reject a measure voted by the legislature in the election ballot.

Question 24

revenue sharing

Answer 24

A grant-in-aid program that allowed states maximum discretion in the spending of federal funds.

Question 25

sovereignty

Answer 25

The supreme or ultimate political authority.

Question 26

Tenth Amendment

Answer 26

An amendment to the Constitution which defines the powers of the states: all powers not granted to the national government.

Question 27

unitary system

Answer 27

A system in which sovereignty is wholly in the hands of the national government.