Essay Schedule 90-Day Study 2019

Reserved To The States-Boundaries On The Federal Government For The Flourishing Of The American People

Constituting America’s Ninth 90-Day Study on State and Local Government

Preface: The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, “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 amendment’s purpose is intended to strengthen the Founders’ resolve that each American maintains ownership of the United States government on every level, and to which each entrusts a position of leadership among its elected. In this way, the American people remain free to govern themselves through leaders they choose. The U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers among other founding discussions, displays how the smaller governing bodies magnify local control each American citizen must keep. This control within agreed upon, respective state constitutions ensures governing remains surrendered to the American people and not surrendered by the American people to an unreachable federal level that cannot be checked or replaced by each citizen who put it there. The 2019 Constituting America 90 Day Study on State and Local Government expounds upon the gravity of that which makes America thrive due to strict limits of its federal governing powers, directing attention to the true holders of America’s power, her people, and consent of the governed that results in a flourishing United States.

Condensed Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • States and Their Constitutions: History Surrounding Admission of Each New State to the Union
    • First States – The Thirteen Original Colonies After the American Revolutionary War and Constitutional Convention (1787)
    • New States and the American Industrial Revolution (1791)
    • Westward Expansion (1803)
    • Admission of States, and the Civil War (1861-1865)
  • A Growing United States to World War I (1914-1918), the Great Depression and New Deal to the Gulf War (1990-1991)
  • Statewide Leadership and Representation
  • County and City Leadership, and Representation
  • Judges: State, County and City Judiciary
  • Funding State and Local Government
  • Elections: State, County and City
  • Contemporary Issues in State and Local Government
  • Conclusion

Detailed Table of Contents With Links to Essays as They Are Published

Introduction – History and constitutional background of American Founders’ and Framers’ views on local governments for a strong, free, prosperous United States

Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution – Purpose for limited federal powers and what the amendment means for state and local government; Bill of Rights as “a Line drawn as clearly as may be between the federal Powers vested in Congress and the distinct Sovereignty of the several States upon which the private and personal Rights of the Citizens depend.” – Samuel Adams

Federalist 45 on Connection of the States to the Federal Level – “…each of the principal branches of the federal government will owe its existence more or less to the favor of the State governments, and must consequently feel a dependence, which is much more likely to beget a disposition too obsequious than too overbearing towards them.” – James Madison

States and Their Constitutions: History Surrounding Admission of Each New State to the Union

Religious Freedom and Early State Constitutions – Meaning of, and how early state constitutions worked regarding religious freedom and the First Amendment

State Constitutions? – Why would each state need a constitution when we have the United States Constitution? What it would mean for the states to be run by their citizens rather than royal rule

 First States – The Thirteen Original Colonies After the American Revolutionary War and Constitutional Convention (1787) 

1 – Delaware – December 7, 1787 

As the Constitutional Convention came to a close in Philadelphia, America’s founding representatives signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. Then, the first of the thirteen original states to ratify (approve, endorse, accept, formally confirm, validate, sign) the new U.S. Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation, was Delaware, signing on December 7, 1787. This signing admitted (entered, received statehood) Delaware, known as “The First State,” to the United States December 7, 1787. The current Delaware State Constitution in use was adopted in 1897

2 – Pennsylvania – December 12, 1787

Birthplace of independence and the United States Constitution. “The Keystone State,” Pennsylvania is second of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution and enter the United States. The Pennsylvania State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1968

3 – New Jersey – December 18, 1787

Third of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution and join the United States, “The Garden State” of New Jersey entered the United States December 18, 1787. The New Jersey State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1948

4 – Georgia – January 2, 1788

Georgia is fourth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution to join the United States of America January 2, 1788. Georgia joined the Confederacy January 19, 1861. The Georgia State Constitution that is the latest version and currently in use was adopted in 1983. Georgia is known as “The Peach State” or “Empire State of the South.”

  • Georgia on My Mind by Martha Zoller, Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor, Brian Kemp; Political Pundit; Former Congressional Candidate, Georgia

5 – Connecticut – January 9, 1788

Fifth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Connecticut was admitted to the United States January 9, 1788. The Connecticut State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1965, and is known as “The Constitution State.”

6 – Massachusetts – February 6, 1788

“The Bay State,” Massachusetts, is sixth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution and thus be admitted to the Union of the United States. The Massachusetts State Constitution adopted its current one in use was adopted in 1780

7 – Maryland – April 28, 1788

Maryland is the seventh state admitted to the United States, ratifying the U.S. Constitution April 28, 1788. The current Maryland State Constitution in use was adopted in 1867. Maryland is known as the “Old Line State.”

Secession – Reasons and consequences for states seceding from the Union; strength of America and why states do not secede today

8 – South Carolina – May 23, 1788

The eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, South Carolina, was admitted to the United States May 23, 1788. It was also the first state to secede from the Union. The current South Carolina State Constitution was adopted in 1896. South Carolina is known as “The Palmetto State.”

9 – New Hampshire – June 21, 1788

Known as “The Granite State,” New Hampshire was ninth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, admitting it to the Union June 21, 1788. The New Hampshire State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1783. Article VII of the U.S. Constitution says nine states would be sufficient to ratify and officially make the U.S. Constitution law of the land. New Hampshire was the ninth and final state needed to accomplish this official ratification which ended government under the Articles of Confederation

10 – Virginia – June 25, 1788

“Old Dominion” as Virginia is known, was tenth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, admitting it to the Union June 25, 1788. The Virginia State Constitution in current use was adopted in 1971; the Virginia Constitution of 1776 compared to the MA Constitution of 1780

11 – New York – July 26, 1788

Eleventh of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, New York was admitted to the Union July 26, 1788 and is known as “The Empire State.” The current New York State Constitution was adopted in 1895

12 – North Carolina – November 21, 1789

Twelfth of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, North Carolina, “The Tar Heel State,”  was admitted to the United States November 21, 1789. The North Carolina State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1971

13 – Rhode Island – May 29, 1790

Last of the thirteen original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Rhode Island was admitted to the Union May 29, 1790. The Rhode Island State Constitution in current use was adopted in 1986. Rhode Island is known as “The Ocean State.”

  • Rhode Island: The Small Colony That Solidified the United States by Kyle Scott, Ph.D., Board of Trustees, Lone Star College System; Professor of Political Science, University of Houston; Author of The Limits of Politics: Making the Case for Literature in Political Analysis, and The Federalist Papers: A Reader’s Guide

Admitting States to the Union – Article IV, Section 3 on entry of new states to the Union, and how the U.S. Constitution protects each state individually and as a whole nation; all of the original thirteen states except Rhode Island sent delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention to complete the new U.S. Constitution that includes Article IV; the Northwest Ordinance

New States and the American Industrial Revolution (1791)

14 – Vermont – March 4, 1791

On March 4, 1791, Vermont, known as “The Green Mountain State” was the first admitted to the Union after the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the original thirteen colonies. The current Vermont State Constitution in use was adopted in 1793

15 – Kentucky – June 1, 1792

Known as “The Bluegrass State,” Kentucky is the fifteenth state to enter the Union, having ratified the U.S. Constitution June 1, 1792. The current Kentucky State Constitution in use was adopted in 1891

  • Crafting Constitutions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science; Director, Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Murray State University, Kentucky, and Michael W. Hail, Professor of Government, School of Public Affairs; Assistant Dean and Director of the Statesmanship Center, Morehead State University, Kentucky

16 – Tennessee – June 1, 1796

Tennessee entered the Union as the sixteenth state, having ratified the U.S. Constitution June 1, 1796. “The Volunteer State” currently uses its latest version of the Tennessee State Constitution adopted in 1870

Westward Expansion (1803)

17 – Ohio – March 1, 1803

The seventeenth state to enter the Union, known as “The Buckeye State,” Ohio ratified the U.S. Constitution on March 1, 1803. The current Ohio State Constitution in use was adopted in 1851

18 – Louisiana – April 30, 1812

Known as “The Pelican State,” Louisiana was the eighteenth admitted to the United States, ratifying the U.S. Constitution April 30, 1812 just before the start of the War of 1812. The current Louisiana State Constitution in use was adopted in 1975; Louisiana Purchase, territory history prior to the statehood

  • Louisiana and the Clash of Empires by Tony Williams, Author of five books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow

19 – Indiana – December 11, 1816

The U.S. Constitution ratification date of December 11, 1816 marks Indiana as the nineteenth state to enter the Union. The Indiana State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1851. Indiana is known as “The Hoosier State.”

20 – Mississippi – December 10, 1817

“The Magnolia State” of Mississippi is the twentieth admitted to the Union, having ratified the U.S. Constitution December 10, 1817. The current Mississippi State Constitution in use was adopted in 1890

21 – Illinois – December 3, 1818

Admitted to the Union December 3, 1818, Illinois is the twenty-first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Known as “The Prairie State,” the Illinois State Constitution adopted in 1970 is the version currently used

22 – Alabama – December 14, 1819

The December 3, 1818 ratification of the U.S. Constitution by Alabama brought the twenty-second state into the Union. “The Heart of Dixie” currently uses the Alabama State Constitution adopted in 1901

23 – Maine – March 15, 1820

Known as “The Pine Tree State,” Maine is the twenty-third to enter the Union, doing so by ratifying the U.S. Constitution on March 15, 1820. The current Maine State Constitution in use was adopted in 1820

24 – Missouri – August 10, 1821

“The Show-Me State” of Missouri ratified the U.S. Constitution August 10, 1821 making it the twenty-fourth state to join the United States. The Missouri State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1945

Founders’ Vision for Keeping the States Strong, United, and Free – Thomas Jefferson’s 1798 Nullification in the Kentucky Resolution, how it contributed to John Calhoun’s 1830s Nullification, acts showing how each state has a duty and right to question and determine if federal laws exceed constitutional limits on federal powers, obstructing state sovereignty

25 – Arkansas – June 15, 1836

Twenty-Fifth of the growing United States to be added was Arkansas, known as “The Natural State.” The current Arkansas State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1874

26 – Michigan – January 26, 1837

Michigan, known as “The Wolverine State,” was admitted to the United States January 26, 1837 making it the twenty-sixth to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The current Michigan State Constitution in use was adopted in 1963

27 – Florida – March 3, 1845

On March 3, 1845, Florida, “The Sunshine State,” ratified the U.S. Constitution admitting it to the Union as the twenty-seventh state. The adopted 1968 Michigan State Constitution is the version in use today

28 – Texas – December 29, 1845

The “Lone Star State” of Texas ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 29, 1845 making it the twenty-eighth to enter the Union. The Texas State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1876

29 – Iowa – December 28, 1846

The U.S. Constitution ratified by Iowa on December 28, 1846 admitted “The Hawkeye State” as the twenty-ninth to enter the Union. The 1857 Iowa State Constitution is the adopted version currently in use

  • The Path to Iowa Statehood by Tom Morain, Director of Government Relations, and Former Professor of History, Graceland University; Past Administrator, The State Historical Society of Iowa; Author and Award-Winning Historian

30 – Wisconsin – May 29, 1848

Thirtieth to join the United States, Wisconsin, known as “The Badger State,” ratified the U.S. Constitution May 29, 1848. The Wisconsin State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1848

  • “On Wisconsin!” by Val Crofts, Social Studies Teacher, Wisconsin; Member, U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission

31 – California – September 9, 1850

Ratifying the U.S. Constitution September 9, 1850, California, known as “The Golden State,” was the thirty-first admitted to the United States. The California State Constitution adopted in 1879 is the version currently in use; the Mexican War and Compromise of 1850

32 – Minnesota – May 11, 1858

Minnesota ratified the U.S. Constitution May 11, 1858 making it the thirty-second to join the United States. The current Minnesota State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1857. Minnesota is known as “The North Star State.”

33 – Oregon – February 14, 1859

Joining the Union February 14, 1859 by ratifying the U.S. Constitution, Oregon became the thirty-third state. Currently in use is the Oregon State Constitution ratified in 1857, and adopted in 1859 once Oregon became a state

Admission of States, and the Civil War (1861-1865)

34 – Kansas – January 29, 1861

“The Sunflower State,” as Kansas is known, ratified the U.S. Constitution January 29, 1861 as the thirty-fourth admitted to the United States. Prior to the start of the Civil War and eight states having just seceded, Kansas was admitted as a free state; Bleeding Kansas; The Kansas State Constitution currently in use was adopted in 1861

  • Bleeding Kansas and Four Constitutions by Tony Williams, Author of five books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow

35 – West Virginia – June 20, 1863

Admitted June 20, 1863 by ratifying the U.S. Constitution, West Virginia became the thirty-fifth state. It is known as “The Mountain State” with the West Virginia State Constitution in current use adopted in 1872

36 – Nevada – October 31, 1864

The thirty-sixth state admitted to the Union was Nevada, having ratified the U.S. Constitution October 31, 1864. “The Silver State,” as it is known, currently uses the Nevada State Constitution adopted in 1864

37 – Nebraska – March 1, 1867

March 1, 1867 ushered in the thirty-seventh state, Nebraska, to ratify the U.S. Constitution and join the United States. The Nebraska State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1875. Nebraska is known as “The Cornhusker State.”

Bill of Rights, State and Local Government – How the Bill of Rights was aimed at the federal government because states had their own bills of rights; Barron v. Baltimore (1833) supports this until the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868

38 – Colorado – August 1, 1876

Colorado, “The Centennial State,” ratified the U.S. Constitution August 1, 1876, making it the thirty-eighth state to enter the Union. The year 1876 also marks adoption of the Colorado State Constitution in use today

39 – North Dakota – November 2, 1889

Ratifying the U.S. Constitution November 2, 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the Union as the thirty-ninth state. Known as “The Peace Garden State,” it uses the North Dakota State Constitution adopted in 1889

  • North Dakota: Constitution to Statehood by Kimberly K. Porter, Professor of History, University of North Dakota; and Dr. Donna K. Pearson, Associate Dean of Student Services and Assessment, Professor, College of Education and Human Development, University of North Dakota

40 – South Dakota – November 2, 1889

The “Mount Rushmore State” of South Dakota, on the same day as its northern counterpart, ratified the U.S. Constitution November 2, 1889 making it the fortieth to enter the United States. Plus, in the same year of 1889, the South Dakota State Constitution in use today was adopted

41 – Montana – November 8, 1889

Entering the Union as the forty-first state, Montana ratified the U.S. Constitution November 8, 1889 and is known as “The Treasure State.” The current Montana State Constitution in use was adopted in 1973

42 – Washington – November 11, 1889

Washington, known as “The Evergreen State,” became the forty-second to ratify the U.S. Constitution, admitted to the Union November 11, 1889. The Washington State Constitution was adopted in 1889 and is the version in use today

Modern State and the Capacity for Political Liberty of Citizens to Participate in Civil Governance –Debate on ‘overseas empire’ and its implications for federalism as structured within the U.S. Constitution

  • The Frontier Closes: Foreign Policy and the Status of the States (Part 1) by William Morrisey, William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the United States Constitution, Hillsdale College; Constituting America Fellow; Author, Self-Government, The American Theme: Presidents of the Founding Civil War; and The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government
  • The Frontier Closes: Foreign Policy and the Status of the States (Part 2) by William Morrisey, William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the United States Constitution, Hillsdale College; Constituting America Fellow; Author, Self-Government, The American Theme: Presidents of the Founding Civil War; and The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government

43 – Idaho – July 3, 1890

Known as “The Gem State,” Idaho ratified the U.S. Constitution July 3, 1890 admitting the forty-third state to the Union. The Idaho State Constitution currently use today was adopted on the same day as the state’s admission to the Union, July 3, 1890

44 – Wyoming – July 10, 1890

July 10, 1890 marks the admission of Wyoming as the forty-fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and join the United States. Known as “The Equality State,” it currently uses the Wyoming State Constitution adopted in 1889

45 – Utah – January 4, 1896

Utah makes the forty-fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, admitting it to the Union January 4, 1896. Utah became known as “The Beehive State” and currently uses the Utah State Constitution adopted in 1896

  • Utah: Unique Among States by Brad Bergford, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Family Action and Colorado Family Action Foundation

46 – Oklahoma – November 16, 1907

Forty-sixth to ratify the U.S. Constitution was “The Sooner State,” Oklahoma, thus admitting it to the United States. The Oklahoma State Constitution adopted in 1907 is the current version used today 

47 – New Mexico – January 6, 1912

Admitted to the United States January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the forty-seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The New Mexico State Constitution used today is the version adopted on the same day as its statehood, January 6, 1912. New Mexico is known as “The Enchanted State.”

48 – Arizona – February 14, 1912

“The Grand Canyon State” of Arizona became the forty-eighth and last of the contiguous states to enter the Union, ratifying the U.S. Constitution February 14, 1912. The Arizona State Constitution in use today was adopted in 1912

  • Arizona: Born Angry by Sean Beienburg, Assistant Professor, School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership; Project Director, Living Repository of the Arizona Constitution, Arizona State University

A Growing United States to World War I (1914-1918), the Great Depression and New Deal to the Gulf War (1990-1991)

49 – Alaska – January 3, 1959

Known as “The Last Frontier,” Alaska was the forty-ninth to ratify the U.S. Constitution and be admitted to the United States. The Alaska State Constitution currently in use was actually ratified in 1956 before Alaska entered the Union, and went into effect upon statehood January 3, 1959

50 – Hawaii – August 21, 1959

The last and fiftieth state to enter the Union, “The Aloha State” of Hawaii, ratified the U.S. Constitution August 21, 1959. The Hawaii State Constitution adopted in 1959 is the version in use today

Territories of the United States – Major territories of the U.S. include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; history surrounding types of territories or commonwealths connected to the United States; how the Organic Act establishes a U.S. territory and its governance; purpose and difference between remaining a territory or obtaining statehood

State Capitals and State Capitols – Importance of state capital cities and their respective state capitol buildings where legislatures meet; significances even in design and construction offering symbols of America’s history with separate places for the house, senate, governor and state judiciaries as reminders of the separation of powers in every level of government from federal to local as envisioned by America’s Founders and Constitution Framers

Washington, D.C. – February 21, 1871

While not a state in the Union, Washington, D.C. was founded July 16, 1790 and serves as the nation’s capital. The name is derived from America’s first president, George Washington, who selected the location. The federal district is named for Christopher Columbus, and officially the nation’s capital became the District of Columbia on February 21, 1871; the Twenty-Third Amendment to the United States Constitution provides D.C. ability to participate in the Electoral College

Statewide Leadership and Representation

Form of Government – Purpose and impact of Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution in that “The United States Shall guarantees to every state in the Union a Republican Form of Government” – How the republican (representative) styles such as Commission Form, County Administrator, Elected Executive, City-County Consolidation, Constitutional Row Offices or Home Rule Authority ensures power remains in the hands of each American, preventing a monarchy or aristocracy in each state and local government

Governor – Role and purpose of a state governor

State Representatives and Their House Speakers, and State Senators – Purpose and functions of house and senate chambers on the state level of representation; how the senate (upper chamber) is smaller than a state house of representatives (lower chamber), yet each senator represents more people than the representatives; role of state house speakers versus the lieutenant governor as president of the senate on the state level.

State Legislatures – History and purpose of state legislatures, and in relation to Congress regarding legislative sessions

  • How State Legislatures Work in American Government (Part 1) by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science; Director, Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Murray State University, Kentucky, and J. Drew Seib, Professor of American Politics and Research Methods at Murray State University, Kentucky.
  • How State Legislatures Work in American Government (Part 2) by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science; Director, Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Murray State University, and J. Drew Seib, Professor of American Politics and Research Methods at Murray State University.

Secretary of State – Role and purpose for the secretary of state or commonwealth of the states; history, and as compared to the Secretary of State of the United States

Attorney General – Role and purpose for attorneys general of the states; history, and as compared to the Attorney General of the United States

County and City Leadership, and Representation

“All Politics is Local” – The view that “all politics is local” and why; purpose for the amount of local governments that exist such as counties, municipalities, towns and townships, special districts and school districts within the United States; effects of sparse versus dense geographic areas represented, urban versus rural for effective, constitutional representation

  • “All Politics is Local” by Scot Faulkner, Served as Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. House of Representatives and as a Member of the Reagan White House Staff; Financial Adviser; President, Friends of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

County Leadership – Elected and appointed county roles; purpose and impact of county boards, county executives, county managers, assessor, treasurer, supervisor, commissioners; history and development of counties and their governance, functions of the county seat; how some are airport hubs, for example, and maintain other significant functions different from city government; relationship to state level leadership for local management of statewide issues

City Leadership – Elected and appointed city roles; purpose of city council and impact of local city councils, city managers, administrators and other municipal, legislative bodies; role of a mayor, and significance in how states differ regarding the mayoral role as compared to other elected seats; how in some states a city mayor may carry significant power as compared to that of the governor; examples such as Mayors Robert Moses or Rudy Giuliani of New York City and how each, in his service, affected not only the city but the entire state

Home Rule or Dillon Rule? – Meaning, purpose and impact of “Home Rule” or “Dillon Rule” authority, how each works for local government in comparison to state; initiative and referendum, delegation and management to make and implement local policy decisions as made by voters and local leadership

Judges: State, County and City Judiciary

Lower Courts – How local judiciary systems work; lower courts from state supreme to municipal that sit below the United States Supreme Court

State Supreme Courts – How state supreme courts work in relation to the United States Supreme Court; how America’s Founders intended the nation’s judiciary would serve as lower than, and not superior to, the legislative branch in order only to function as interpreter and not maker of law; Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 78, “The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts.”

Judicial Finality and Effects on State and Local Government – Reconsidering Judicial Finality, an essay by Louis Fisher from his book on Reconsidering Judicial Finality and the Supreme Court, with an emphasis on state and local effects

  • Judicial Finality: Is There a Final Word on Constitutional Issues? by Louis Fisher, Scholar in Residence, Constitution Project; Former Senior Specialist in Separation of Powers, Congressional Research Service and Specialist in Constitutional Law with the Law Library of Congress. Author, including the forthcoming, Reconsidering Judicial Finality: Why the Supreme Court is Not the Last Word on the Constitution (University Press of Kansas, spring of 2019)
  • Judicial Finality: Protecting Individual Rights by Louis Fisher, Scholar in Residence, Constitution Project; Former Senior Specialist in Separation of Powers, Congressional Research Service and Specialist in Constitutional Law with the Law Library of Congress. Author, including the forthcoming, Reconsidering Judicial Finality: Why the Supreme Court is Not the Last Word on the Constitution (University Press of Kansas, spring of 2019)
  • Judicial Finality: Correcting Errors by Louis Fisher, Scholar in Residence, Constitution Project; Former Senior Specialist in Separation of Powers, Congressional Research Service and Specialist in Constitutional Law with the Law Library of Congress. Author, including the forthcoming, Reconsidering Judicial Finality: Why the Supreme Court is Not the Last Word on the Constitution (University Press of Kansas, spring of 2019)

Funding State and Local Government

Taxation and the States – Concerns that the Constitution did not explicitly restrain elected officials by specific limitations on the taxing power, then they will use the taxation power to extend the reach of federal government

  • Their Common Defense: Alliance Between the Sovereign States by Gordon Lloyd, Professor of Public Policy, Pepperdine University; National Advisory Council, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation; Co-author: The Two Narratives of Political Economy

Funding States and Cities: How Dollars Work – Connection to Congress regarding funding of states and municipalities; how taxes, which is how governments have money, work for the United States as a whole and individual states down to the most local levels; what and how from federal, to state, to county, to city gets funded

Funding States and Cities: The Arguments – Why America’s founders wanted limited government; what this means in relation to the ongoing arguments presented by America’s voters and their elected representatives for and against raising and lowering taxes

  • Funding States and Cities: The Arguments (Part 1) by Nicholas Jacobs, Faculty Research Associate, School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, Arizona State University; Assistant Project Director, Living Repository of the Arizona Constitution
  • Funding States and Cities: The Arguments (Part 2) by Nicholas Jacobs, Faculty Research Associate, School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, Arizona State University; Assistant Project Director, Living Repository of the Arizona Constitution

Elections: State, County and City

Apportionment – Population and how it works to affect development of not only congressional representation, but also city, county and state governing bodies, and districts

Down-Ballot – How local elections differ from statewide elections; role and importance of local elections though they tend to receive lower voter turnout

  • Down-Ballot Elections by Scot Faulkner, Served as Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. House of Representatives and as a Member of the Reagan White House Staff; Financial Adviser; President, Friends of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Contemporary Issues in State and Local Government

Renewal of American Federalism –An essay on the roots of our nation’s debt and dysfunction today

  • Renewal of American Federalism by Michael Maibach, Managing Director and Board of Trustees, James Wilson Institute on Natural Rights and the American Founding

The Importance of “Clearing Title” to Public Lands – An aspect of protecting property rights and encouraging settlement of western lands

The Federal Government’s “Duty to Dispose” of Public Lands – When states became states, and the federal government’s failure to make good on the agreement

Would the United States Exist Without Borders? – Significance of borders between cities, counties, each state in the Union, and the entire United States

Civil Society and Local Government – Meaning, importance and how free and independent states of America maintain it; civil as related to citizens and their concerns; polite, courteous, well-mannered approach; consequences for failure in relation to solving political concerns and issues today

  • Civil Society and Local Government (Part 1) by William Morrisey, William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the United States Constitution, Hillsdale College; Constituting America Fellow; Author, Self-Government, The American Theme: Presidents of the Founding Civil War; and The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government
  • Civil Society and Local Government (Part 2) by William Morrisey, William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the United States Constitution, Hillsdale College; Constituting America Fellow; Author, Self-Government, The American Theme: Presidents of the Founding Civil War; and The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government

Right of the States to Oppose Tyranny – History and importance of the right to petition for a redress of grievances in American government as written in the United States Constitution, First Amendment, “and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”

Battle for Power Between Congress and the States – How to keep the Founders’ intentions for “we the people” who are in charge of their own governing

Conclusion

  • Conclusion: The States and the Union by William Morrisey, William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the United States Constitution, Hillsdale College; Constituting America Fellow; Author, Self-Government, The American Theme: Presidents of the Founding Civil War; and The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government

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