States & Localities
What are state police powers?
The broad authority of states to make laws for the health, safety, welfare, and morals of their communities
What is political culture?
A shared set of values, beliefs, and habits about government and politics that develops over time and shapes political behavior.
What is federalism?
A system in which power is constitutionally divided between a national government and subnational governments (states).
What is a tax base versus a tax burden?
A tax base is the thing being taxed, such as income, sales, property, or specific goods. A tax burden is the percentage of income paid in taxes.
What is a state budget?
A state budget is the government’s most important policy statement because it authorizes, by law, how public funds will be raised and spent.
What is meant by political power in the context of state and local governments?
Political power is the capacity to decide who gets what, when, and how, particularly through the making and enforcement of public policy at the state and local levels
According to Daniel Elazar, what defines an individualistic political culture?
A belief that government should interfere as little as possible and primarily protect markets and individual initiative
What are enumerated powers?
Powers explicitly granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
What is the difference between a tax rate and an effective tax rate?
The tax rate is the base rate applied, while the effective tax rate reflects deductions, exemptions, and credits actually paid.
What is meant by revenue in the context of state budgeting?
Revenue refers to income received by the state government, much of which comes from taxes but also includes fees, federal funds, and other sources.
What does demography refer to in state politics?
The study of populations and their characteristics, such as race, age, income, and education, which shape political power and policy outcomes
What is political ideology?
A set of beliefs and assumptions about how society works and what role government should play
What does the Supremacy Clause establish?
That the U.S. Constitution and federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.
What are the three types of tax burdens and what do they mean?
Progressive - higher income groups pay a larger share in taxes (ex: income tax)
Regressive - lower income groups pay a larger share (ex: sales tax)
Proportional - all income groups pay same percentage (e.g. flat tax)
What are earmarked funds?
Earmarked funds are revenues that are legally reserved for specific programs or purposes, either by statute or by the state constitution.
A state legislature passes a law regulating restaurant sanitation standards and authorizes local health departments to enforce it. Which state power is being exercised in this scenario?
State police powers, specifically promoting health and safety.
A state has low voter turnout, long periods of one-party rule, and policies that primarily benefit established elites. Which political culture best explains this pattern?
Traditionalistic political culture
Congress offers federal highway funds to states on the condition that they adopt a national speed limit. States may refuse the money if they dislike the policy. What federalism mechanism is being used?
Conditional grants-in-aid
A low-income household spends nearly all of its income on taxable goods, while a high-income household saves a large portion of its income. Both pay the same sales tax rate. What type of tax burden does this create?
Regressive Tax Burden
During budget negotiations, legislators want to significantly increase funding for public schools but discover that lottery revenues are already legally dedicated to education. What budget concept explains why those funds cannot be reallocated elsewhere?
Earmarked Funds
A city wants to create its own immigration enforcement policies, but the state legislature passes a law prohibiting local governments from doing so. Why does the state have the authority to block the city’s policy?
Because local governments are subdivisions of the state and possess only powers granted by the state
A state government expands public education funding, encourages citizen participation, and frames policies as serving the “common good.” Which political culture is most consistent with this approach?
Moralistic political culture
Congress passes a law requiring states to upgrade voting machines but provides no funding to help cover the costs. What is this an example of?
Unfunded Mandate
A state eliminates its income tax and increases reliance on sales and property taxes to fund public services. How would this likely affect income inequality?
Increase Inequality -- Why?
A recession causes state tax revenues to drop sharply midway through the budget cycle. Lawmakers debate cutting programs versus using savings accumulated during prior economic booms. Which budgeting tool is being considered?
Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund)