1. Federalism Scenarios

2. 1. Michigan, hard hit by a recession, has decided to issue coins made from old cars in order to stimulate the economy.    

3. 1. Answer NO Article I (1) Section 8 Clause 5
“To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures”
Coin money and establish standards for weights and measurements.

4. 2. Congress passes a law imposing new regulations upon airlines engaged in interstate commerce (doing business in several states and across state lines.)

5. 2. Answer YES Article I (1) Section 8 Clause 3
“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes”
Regulate commerce with foreign nations

6. 3. Colorado’s Scenic Drive Highway has become overcrowded
3. Colorado’s Scenic Drive Highway has become overcrowded. The state legislature passes a law forbidding out-of-state drivers from using the highway.

7. 3. Answer NO Article IV (4) Section 1
“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.”
Each state must recognize other states’ legal documents, such as marriage certificates and drivers’ licenses

8. 4. The U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding of Congress’ power to regulate the strip mining of coal upset the governor of North Dakota very much. The governor has announced that he will not allow the enforcement of the law in his state.

9. 4. Answer NO Article VI (6) Clause 2 The Supremacy Clause
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”
The federal government has supreme power over state governments. All federal laws, treaties agreed to by the national government with other nations, and the Constitution are supreme over state laws.

10. 5. Displeased with the U.S. Postal Service, the state legislature of Nevada has passed a law creating the Nevada Postal Service.

11. 5. Answer NO Article I (1) Section 8 Clause 7
“To establish Post Offices and Post Roads”
Establish post offices and roads.

12. 6. The state of Washington has placed a tax on goods imported and exported through its seaports.

13. 6. Answer NO Article I (1) Section 10 Clause 2
“No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.”
No state can lay duties on imports or exports without the consent of Congress.

14. 7. The neighboring state of Illinois has annexed Lake County, Indiana.

15. 7. Answer NO Article IV (4) Section 3 Clause 1
“New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.”
No new state can be formed in a state that already exists. States cannot join together unless the state legislatures and the US Congress agree

16. 8. The Governor of Montana requests that Kentucky return John Doe to Montana. Doe, convicted of murder in Montana, had fled to Kentucky where local authorities captured him.

17. 8. Answer YES Article IV (4) Section 2 Clause 2
“A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.”
A criminal fleeing from one state to another after committing a crime, if apprehended, must be returned to the state from which he/she fled, at the request of the legal authorities in that state (a process called extradition).

18. 9. John Jones has been legally adopted in the state of Arkansas
9. John Jones has been legally adopted in the state of Arkansas. After the Jones family moves to Georgia, the Georgia State Welfare Agency takes John from his adoptive parents. The Agency claims its does not recognize Arkansas adoption laws.

19. 9. Answer NO Article IV (4) Section 1
“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.”
Each state must recognize other states’ legal documents, such as marriage certificates and drivers’ licenses

20. 10. The federal government passes a law to establish a single national system of public high schools.

21. 10. Answer NO Amendment X (10)
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
The states, or the people, have any power that the Constitution does not give the National Government or deny to the States.