Intergovernmental Relations

Establishing a federal system also meant establishing some guidelines for relations between the states and the federal government. Article IV of the Constitution defines relations between the states and the federal government. The Tenth amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states.

Be sure to read Article IV and the Tenth Amendment on pages 76, 77, & 83 in your book and take notes on the Notes: Intergovernmental Relations form provided.

When you have finished the questions, complete the self-check provided.

What does the Constitution say about Federalism? Read each Think and Click below and determine yes or no, if the statement is valid under the Constitution. Click on the statement to view the power and the location in the Constitution where you can find it. Based on this information you can determine if you are right or wrong.

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

Article I: sec. 10
No state shall coin money.

Mary, upset with the custody ruling of New York which gave her husband custody of the children, takes them and runs to California. She asks a California court for custody. Will they agree?

Article IV: sec. 2
Full Faith and credit shall be given in each state to Public Arts, Records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

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

Article I: sec. 8
Congress shall have the power to establish post offices.

Arizona, unable to meet it's rising health care costs, decides to tax tourists more for their goods than it does Arizona citizens.

Article IV: sec. 2
Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in other states.

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

Article I: sec. 8
Congress has the power to regulate commerce among the several states.

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

Article IV: sec. 2
Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in other states.

The U.S. Supreme Court's upholding of Congress' power to regulate 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.

A IV: sec. 1
National Supremacy- the constitution shall be the supreme law of the land.

The Governor of Montana requests that Kentucky return John Doe, a fugitive, to Montana. Doe, convicted of murder in Montana, had fled to Kentucky, where local authorities captured him. Must they?

Article IV: sec. 2
Extradition- A person charged with a crime who shall flee from justice and be found in another state shall be delivered back to the original state from which he fled.