State vs Federal Government

Review:
❏ What state does Washington DC belong in?
❏ What buildings are in Washington DC?
❏ What are the mascots for the two political parties?
❏ Describe the Declaration of Independence
❏ What does the Constitution explain?
❏ What are some of the amendments in the bill of rights?
❏ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEfLm5dLMQ
 Federal and State Government/ powers
In the United States, there are layers of government and powers

The country is set up so that there are some laws that cross state
lines, and must be followed by all citizens

But there are also laws that are specific to states, that do not exist
once crossing state lines
These State laws CAN NOT interfere with
Constitutional Amendments
Why is it like this?
Because the United States was formed from the joining of
separate colonies that each had different cultures, beliefs, and
needs.

The vision was that state governments would be the main source
of government that impacted the day to day lives of the citizens

Today, the two levels work closely together

State Government in the Constitution
Responsibilities are laid out in Article IV of the Constitution

Section 1: Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial
Proceedings of every other State.

-States have to honor each others decisions and legal judgements

Section 2: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the
several States.

- States can not treat newcomers to their state differently than citizens of that state

Section 3: New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed
or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State

-New states can not be formed on their own and States can not form additional states within
them

Section 4: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of
Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion
Examples of State laws
● Marriage
○ 18 is the age throughout the United States, but there are differences in what
the age is when there are exceptions. This ranges from 14-18
○ Some states require witnesses, and enforce wait periods
● Gambling
○ Only Louisiana and Nevada have casino style gambling be legal statewide
○ Other states have restrictions on types of gambling and restrict casino gambling to specific areas
like on Native American tribal land
● Legalization of certain drugs
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ULPJM6KyoQ&list=PLXdxPMwLrkOpTcfazkVo0mCKE5iyo28Jh&index=3&t=0s
Examples of State laws

● Strange laws:
○ NY: Not allowed to take selfies with tigers
○ Wyoming: can face a fine if you open a gate and do not close it
○ New Hampshire: you cannot pick up seaweed off the beach at night
○ Tennessee: illegal to share your netflix account
○ North Carolina: can not use an elephant to plow a cotton field
Federal powers
Three Types of Powers given in the Constitution

1. Delegated/Enumerated/Expressed Powers: Specifically stated in Article 1. Power

to coin money, regulate commerce, declare war, raise and maintain an army and
establish the post office
2. Implied Powers: are not specifically stated but are implied by the “necessary and
proper” clause. gives Congress the right "to make all laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and other powers
vested in the government of the United States."
3. Inherent Powers: not specifically listed, but come from the very existence of the
national government. Things like power to acquire territory by exploration or
occupancy.