Chapter 4 Section 2 Growth of Federalism Pages 72-75

Objectives 1. Explain how the federal government’s involvement in states’ affairs has grown. 2. Describe how grants-in-aid have affected the growth of federalism. 3. Identify the role of federal mandates in federalism.

Brainstorm ways in which the federal government has become more influential in your lives as you have gotten older.

The federal government has also become increasingly influential in the affairs of the states as the country has grown older. In this section you will learn about the ways that the federal government has increased its influence over state governments.

States have always been concerned about the federal governments involvement in their affairs. Example: Civil War and the southern states decision to secede.

Increasing Federal Involvement The FBI helps states solve major crimes and the government allocates money to the National Guard. Revenue sharing: federal tax dollars shared with state and local governments. This concept no longer exists since the 1980’s when federal spending was cut. Federal grants are major sources of income for state and local governments. States have to follow rules and requirements set by the federal government.

The Grant System Grants-in-aid: money or resources are used for specific projects and programs authorized by the federal government. Categorical Grants: used to carry out specific activities. [ i.e. unemployment, floods, etc..] need is based on the amount of aid that a state or local government receives on certain conditions [population]

Block Grants: federal funds that can be used by state and local governments-community development, health, education, etc… The block grants allow the states some flexibility to determine how monies could be spent. States can determine their own priorities with the block grant.

Federal Mandates Federal mandates: requirements that the federal government imposes on state and local governments. [environmental concerns or health and safety of workers]

Forms of Mandates Three basic forms: One: law directing state or local governments to take action on a particular issue. [asbestos in public schools] Second: states the choice between undertaking an activity themselves or having the federal government do it. Third: federal mandates may come with strings attached to the federal aid. [legal drinking age]

Debate over Mandates Many critics of federal mandates feel that the federal government should provide the funds to support their mandates. [voter registration] The debate over balancing federal and state interests continues.