1. Admission of New States
No state can be created by taking territory from a current state without consent
Subject to presidential veto
Enabling Act –signed by president, people in territory wanting to be a state can prepare a constitution
Constitution approved by a popular vote in territory
Congress then passes an act making the territory a state

2. Admission of New States
Puerto Rico, the 51st State?
Debated by Puerto Ricans
Puerto Ricans are US citizens and follow US laws
Puerto Ricans cannot vote in national elections and do not pay income taxes
Puerto Ricans can serve in the military
Requirements to speak English?
Weakening of their heritage?
Increased support to become 51st state in last 30 years

3. Interstate Relations: Full Faith and Credit
States must recognize legal proceeding from other states
Applies only to civil law – relating to disputes b/w individuals, groups, or the state
One state cannot enforce another state’s criminal law
Why do we need full faith and credit?
Records = legal documents
Judicial proceedings = court actions

4. Interstate Relations: Privileges and Immunities
States cannot discriminate against the citizens of another state
Pass through states, marry, make contracts, do business
“reasonable discrimination” – voting, jury duty, use of public facilities, residency requirements to register to vote, attendance/tuition of state sponsored schools

5. Interstate Relations: Extradition
Governor of the state to which a fugitive flees is responsible for returning them
Supreme Court has loosened the requirement of Gov.
Some governors have and can refuse, most comply

6. Interstate Relations: Interstate Compacts
Written agreements between two or more states
National government or foreign countries can also be part of a compact
Congress must approve
Boundaries, roads/bridges, tolls, pollution, business

7. Interstate Relations: Lawsuits
States can sue one another
Heard only in the Supreme Court
Water disputes, pollution, boundary lines

8. States’ Rightist Versus Nationalists
States’ rights position – favors state and local action in dealing with problems
States created the national government
States’ governments are closer to the people and can make better decisions based on the needs of the people
Nationalist position – favors national action in dealing with problems
The people created national and state governments
National government speaks for all people

9. Mandate and Restraint
Mandate – federal order requiring states to provide a service or undertake an activity in order to meet minimum requirements set by Congress
Restraint – Congress prohibits a state or local government from performing a specific function or power

10. Federalism and public policy
Sunset laws – these kind of laws require periodic checks of government to see if they are still needed
Sunshine law – prohibits official from holding closed meetings
Bureaucracy – organization of government administrators for the purpose of carrying out legislation