federalism
What is federalism?
Federalism is a system in which power is shared between the national (federal), state and local governments.
How many constitutions has Florida had?
Six constitutions.
List one obligation or service handled by local, state, and federal governments.
Local: Trash collection and zoning regulations.
State: Education and health care.
Federal: Military and establishing post offices.
List the three levels of government and give an example of what each one handles.
National (Federal): Handles military, treaties, and interstate highways.
State: Handles marriage laws, driver’s licenses, and education.
Local: Handles parks and recreation, police and fire departments, and public works.
Which constitution is longer, the U.S. or Florida’s? Why?
Florida’s Constitution is longer because it contains more specific rights and has been amended more frequently.
What type of services or tasks might be shared between state and local governments?
Services like policing (local police and state highway patrol) and taxation.
What are concurrent powers? Give one example.
Concurrent powers are powers shared by both federal and state governments, such as the power to tax, create courts, and make and enforce laws.
Describe one similarity and one difference between the U.S. and Florida Constitutions.
Identify the government level involved if a law is passed regarding school curriculum in Florida.
The state government.
Which level of government is responsible for printing money and making treaties?
The federal (national) government.
What is unique about Florida’s process for amending its constitution?
Florida has multiple ways to propose amendments, including through a petition signed by 8% of the electorate, and amendments require a 60% voter approval to be ratified.
Who would handle an emergency relief effort after a national disaster, and why?
The federal government, through agencies like FEMA, because it can coordinate large-scale resources and aid across state lines.
What powers are reserved for the states? Name the amendment that supports this.
Powers not specifically given to the federal government, such as issuing licenses and regulating education. This is supported by the 10th Amendment.
How is the executive branch structured differently in the U.S. and Florida?
In the U.S., the President appoints cabinet members, while in Florida, several cabinet members, such as the Attorney General and Chief Financial Officer, are elected directly by voters.
Explain why the federal system distributes powers between different government levels.
To maintain order and allow flexibility, enabling different levels of government to address issues best suited to their scope and resources.
Who is the executive at the state level? Who holds this role at the local level?
What makes the Florida Constitution a "living document," and how does this affect its content compared to the U.S. Constitution?
The Florida Constitution is considered a "living document" because it is frequently amended through various processes, including citizen initiatives and legislative proposals. This results in a more detailed and frequently updated document, which allows it to address state-specific issues more directly than the U.S. Constitution.