Chapter 4 Section 2

National Gov’t and the States

Nations Obligations to the States

Article IV, Sec. 4– National Gov’t must, “protect each of

them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.”

Protect Against Invasion– When any state attacked, National Gov’t helps

Protect Against Domestic Violence– Help restore order (Troops)– Riots– Very rare (1967) (1968)– Usually only at request of Governor– But, if national laws broken, President can send

troops

Nations Obligations to the States

Nations Obligations to the States

– Natural Disasters considered “domestic violence”StormsFloodsDroughtForest fires

– Remember Katrina Video…..

The Major Disaster Process

Step1: Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance;

Step2: The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies;

Step3: Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer organizations determines losses and recovery needs;

The Major Disaster Process

Step4: A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery;

Step5: FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to recover;

Step6: The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.

States Integrity

Protected in ConstitutionMust recognize States legal existence

and physical boundariesEach state must have representation in

the House and SenateEach State has equal rep. (2) in the

Senate

Admission of New States

Only Congress has power to do so– But, cannot create new State by taking land from a

current State. (Unless ok with State’s legislature)Only 5 times

– 37 new States (13 original colonies) Process

– 1. Territory asks– 2. Congress approves – 3. Territory makes Constitution (Enabling Act)– 4. Congress approves (Act of Admission)– 5. President signs Act of Admission

Admission of New States

Conditions– Before Act of Admission, certain

conditions sometimes set out– Utah (Polygamy)– Alaska (Native American lands)– Arizona (Judge Removal)

Federal Grants

Grants to States– Grants-In-Aid Programs (500)– For everyday functions in States– For education, mass transit, highway

construction, health care, on-the-job training, etc.

– Money comes from????

Federal Grants

– YOU! (Taxes) Congress has this power

– About $275 billion (25% of state and local spending)

– What does this mean?More Federal Gov’t power ($ talks)No Child Left Behind

Types of Federal Grants

Categorical Grants– Most frequent– Only used for specific purpose– Guidelines attached– School lunches, wastewater treatment plants

Block Grants– Broader purposes– Less guidelines– Health care, social services, welfare

Types of Federal Grants

Project Grants– For States, localities, private agencies– Apply for them– Support scientists (Cancer research, etc.)– Support job training, employee programs

Other Federal Aid– FBI helps State and local police– Army and air force equip and train each State’s

National Guard

Types of Federal Grants

Revenue Sharing– Revenue from Federal Taxes given to states

and local gov’t– No strings attached– 1972-1987 (Reagan Administration ended it)– $83 billion total– Some want it back

States helping National Gov’t

Services performed for Federal Gov’t– Elections

Financed and regulated by States and local gov’t

– Aliens who become citizens (Naturalization)Takes place in state courts

– Criminals of federal crimesHeld in local or state jails

– Many more too