Local and State Government

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

The United States government was developed on the principle of federalism.

Federalism means that power is divided among different branches and systems of government.

The tenth amendment of the Constitution says any power not directly given to the federal government by the Constitution is given to the states and the people. Therefore, the U.S. government is broken down into three layers — federal, state, and local.

The federal government oversees the entire nation, while state and local governments oversee smaller regions of the United States. In this lesson, you will begin learning about the differences between local and state governments.

As you research the responsibilities of local and state governments, record what you learn on a chart like the one below.

For this lesson, focus on the purpose and responsibilities of local and state governments. You will learn about the people and branches that make up each system of government in future lessons.

Start your research with the resources below before using a search engine or visiting your local library.

• About Fairfax County
• What Are the Duties of State Government?
• local government
• State and Local Governments

After filling your chart with your research, consider these questions.

• What is the primary purpose of state government?
• What is the primary purpose of local government?
• What responsibilities do state and local governments share?

You probably noticed that state and local governments are similar in many ways. They each create laws for people to follow.

They also create budgets for various departments and services. Both have a hand in transportation, education, and health, although their roles are slightly different.

The state government is responsible for creating laws and budgets for an entire state. Often, the budget created by the state affects the local government.

For example, the state government may budget a certain amount for each school district. Local governments must then decide how best to use the funds and if it is necessary for them to generate more funds for schools.

State governments' distinct roles include ratifying amendments to the U.S. Constitution, overseeing the state court system, creating licenses, and building highways.

The local government is responsible for creating laws and budgets for a small region within a state. Roles distinct to local governments include overseeing police officers, firefighters, and the parks and recreation services.

Local governments are also responsible for approving the construction of businesses, homes, and roads within the region it oversees.

Review the opening question and answer it based on what you have learned.

• If your family wanted to build a pool, who would they need to get approval from before they could start building?

Your family would need approval and a building permit from the local government before they could begin construction. Even though your family may own the land, the local government is responsible for creating laws to ensure all construction is safe.

• Why do you think it is important for state and local governments to be separate?

Move on to the Got It? section to continue comparing state and local government.