Why do people argue a unitary system
wouldn’t work in the United States?
Federalism
Federal Powers
States’ Powers
•Declare war
•Make treaties
•Set up local governments
•Conduct elections
•Set up public school systems
•Oversee businesses
•Make laws to protect public health
and safety (ex., traffic laws)
Shared Powers:
•Collect taxes
•Borrow money
•Set up courts
•Enforce laws
•Punish lawbreakers
State Legislatures
• Apportioned, or divided among districts, based
on equal representation
• Wisconsin’s Assembly District Map:
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ltsb/redistricting/assemb
ly_districts.htm
• Wisconsin’s Senate District Map:
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ltsb/redistricting/senate
_districts.htm
Where do states get their revenue?
Sales tax
General sales tax
Excise tax – charge on certain goods (alcohol, gas, cigarettes,
etc.)
Income Tax – tax on earnings of
individuals and businesses
Bonds – certificates people buy
from the government
Lotteries
Federal Grants
What is public policy?
Government response to public issues
that affect many people
Examples?
Methods for Making Laws
• Initiative – process by which citizens can
propose laws (petition; statewide election)
• Referendum – process by which a law is
referred to the voters to approve or reject
• Recall – process for removing elected officials
from office
Can you think of any examples of
initiative, referendum, or recall in
Wisconsin’s recent history?
How has Minnesota’s recent history
shown us the system of checks and
balances working at the state level?