Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which government entity is consistently ranked highest in trust and problem-solving capabilities?
Which government entity is consistently ranked highest in trust and problem-solving capabilities?
What percentage of national environmental programs overseen by state agencies is correct?
What percentage of national environmental programs overseen by state agencies is correct?
Which part of government is known for being the most innovative in policy development?
Which part of government is known for being the most innovative in policy development?
Which state is more likely to support policies allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections?
Which state is more likely to support policies allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections?
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Which level of government provides most daily services to citizens?
Which level of government provides most daily services to citizens?
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The constitutionality of fiscal federalism was upheld by the Supreme Court primarily related to what issue?
The constitutionality of fiscal federalism was upheld by the Supreme Court primarily related to what issue?
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During which period did government funding aimed at the needs of the poor double?
During which period did government funding aimed at the needs of the poor double?
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What was the federal government grants size to state and local governments as of 2019?
What was the federal government grants size to state and local governments as of 2019?
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The Every Student Succeeds Act and the Affordable Care Act are examples of what type of law?
The Every Student Succeeds Act and the Affordable Care Act are examples of what type of law?
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What is the primary purpose of the Food and Drug Administration?
What is the primary purpose of the Food and Drug Administration?
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Rulemaking is defined as the process by which what occurs?
Rulemaking is defined as the process by which what occurs?
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Delegation of authority refers to Congress granting what to agencies?
Delegation of authority refers to Congress granting what to agencies?
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What aspect of the policymaking process is illustrated when people circulate a petition against new regulations by HHS?
What aspect of the policymaking process is illustrated when people circulate a petition against new regulations by HHS?
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What is the main purpose of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act?
What is the main purpose of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act?
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Which statement accurately reflects the role of states in education?
Which statement accurately reflects the role of states in education?
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What is a main concern regarding the delegation of policymaking authority to agencies?
What is a main concern regarding the delegation of policymaking authority to agencies?
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What major impact did the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 have on the policymaking process?
What major impact did the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 have on the policymaking process?
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What is a key feature of block grants compared to categorical grants?
What is a key feature of block grants compared to categorical grants?
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What is a 'trifecta' in the context of state government?
What is a 'trifecta' in the context of state government?
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What does the review of the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) represent?
What does the review of the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) represent?
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Which aspect of state governance allows for greater responsiveness than national governance?
Which aspect of state governance allows for greater responsiveness than national governance?
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What is the primary regulatory goal for rules banning e-cigarettes on planes?
What is the primary regulatory goal for rules banning e-cigarettes on planes?
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How do regulations on peanuts and e-cigarettes on planes share similarities?
How do regulations on peanuts and e-cigarettes on planes share similarities?
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What does statutory law primarily represent?
What does statutory law primarily represent?
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What term describes the regulator’s approach when issuing a fine for noncompliance with a newly passed rule?
What term describes the regulator’s approach when issuing a fine for noncompliance with a newly passed rule?
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During which stage of the rulemaking process are comments from the public invited?
During which stage of the rulemaking process are comments from the public invited?
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How frequently does the Federal Register provide updates on federal agencies' rulemaking activities?
How frequently does the Federal Register provide updates on federal agencies' rulemaking activities?
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What is the primary purpose of www.regulations.gov?
What is the primary purpose of www.regulations.gov?
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Which group is least likely to have influence in the policymaking process?
Which group is least likely to have influence in the policymaking process?
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Why does the government occasionally experience shutdowns?
Why does the government occasionally experience shutdowns?
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Which of the following statements regarding rules created by federal agencies is true?
Which of the following statements regarding rules created by federal agencies is true?
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Which option should Congress consider if it does not approve an agency’s rules?
Which option should Congress consider if it does not approve an agency’s rules?
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What was the top revenue source for the U.S. government in 2019?
What was the top revenue source for the U.S. government in 2019?
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What area of the federal budget do officials generally focus on when debating expenditure reductions due to its flexibility?
What area of the federal budget do officials generally focus on when debating expenditure reductions due to its flexibility?
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What impact did government decisions related to COVID-19 have on national debt levels?
What impact did government decisions related to COVID-19 have on national debt levels?
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How quickly did the New Deal stimulus projects show tangible economic recovery?
How quickly did the New Deal stimulus projects show tangible economic recovery?
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How would you characterize government spending from the end of World War II to today?
How would you characterize government spending from the end of World War II to today?
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What was a primary response of the federal government during the Great Recession beginning in 2007?
What was a primary response of the federal government during the Great Recession beginning in 2007?
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What was the primary aim of the Dodd-Frank Act, passed during the Obama administration?
What was the primary aim of the Dodd-Frank Act, passed during the Obama administration?
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Study Notes
Public Opinion and Trust
- Local government is consistently ranked highest in public opinion polls for trust and problem-solving within its sphere of influence.
Federalism and State/Local Government
- State agencies oversee over 95% of delegable national environmental programs.
- Local government is generally considered to be the most innovative in policy development.
- Local and state governments provide most services to individual citizens on a daily basis.
- The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of fiscal federalism based on highway funding.
Government Spending and Social Programs
- Government funding for poverty programs doubled between 1965 and 1968.
- As of 2019, federal government grants to state and local governments for public policies totaled $750 billion.
Federalism Sovereignty
- Both state and national levels of government are considered sovereign under our system of federalism.
- The federal government's purview has expanded over time, moving from a more limited focus to greater involvement in domestic affairs.
True/False Statements
- School districts are a key part of local governments. TRUE
- Congress passed legislation in 1987 that made 21 the nationwide minimum drinking age. TRUE
- The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act prohibited Congress from imposing unfunded mandates on state and local governments. TRUE
- Today, states play the major role in public education and higher education. TRUE
- Block grants were designed to give more flexibility to recipients across more broadly defined policy areas than previous categorical grants. TRUE
- In 2020, 23 states had Republican legislatures and governors in office. TRUE
- Access to elected officials at the state level is greater than at the national level, contributing to increased responsiveness at the state level. TRUE
- Policy trial and error can be more efficient at the state level than at the national level. TRUE
- Most federal policies are implemented exclusively at the national level without assistance from state or local governments. FALSE
- "Creative" federalism has also been called "coercive" federalism. TRUE
Rulemaking and Regulations
- Most Americans believe there is either too much regulation or that enforcement is too lax.
- Regulatory decisions must balance various considerations, including cost, public safety, and competing interests.
- The rulemaking process involves multiple steps to ensure transparency and public input.
Statutory Law vs. Agency Rules
- Statutory law is the outcome of the Congressional lawmaking process.
- Examples of statutory law include the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Affordable Care Act.
Purpose and Function of Agencies
- The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) main purpose is to ensure the safety of consumer goods.
- Rulemaking allows agencies to create specific regulations to implement Congressional statutes.
Delegation of Authority
- Delegation of authority allows Congress to grant policymaking power to agencies, but it raises concerns about potential overreach.
- The Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 established guidelines for rulemaking by federal agencies.
OIRA Review and Regulatory Oversight
- The Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) reviews regulations to ensure they do not unduly impact businesses or contradict other policies.
Implementation and Enforcement
- Different regulatory approaches can be used, including cooperative, delegated, and precision-based strategies.
- The public is invited to comment during the notice of proposed rulemaking stage.
- The Federal Register updates the activities of federal agencies daily.
- The website www.regulations.gov allows the public to view and comment on proposed rules.
True/False Statements
- With a few exceptions, all states have the same agencies. FALSE
- Both Congress and federal agencies create public policy. TRUE
- A rule created by an agency has the same legal force as a law. TRUE
- Congress has the power to appoint the directors of federal agencies. TRUE
- A rule cannot move forward until it is approved by OIRA. FALSE
- The Supreme Court lacks the authority to overturn policies established by federal agencies. FALSE
- All states follow the same rulemaking process. FALSE
- President Trump added thousands of workers to federal agencies. TRUE
- A rule passed by a federal agency takes effect when it is passed as law by Congress. FALSE
- If Congress does not approve of an agency’s rules, it can cut the agency’s budget. TRUE
Economic Policy and Government Budgeting
- Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass a budget before the fiscal year begins due to disagreements over priorities.
- Individual income taxes are the top revenue source for the U.S. government.
- Government spending is generally debated in the discretionary, nondefense category, as it offers the most flexibility.
- The COVID-19 pandemic substantially increased national debt due to increased borrowing and decreased revenue.
Government Spending and Economic Stimulus
- The New Deal's stimulus projects took several years to show tangible economic recovery.
- Government spending levels have not returned to pre-war levels and have continued to accelerate.
- The government's response to the Great Recession included bailouts, investment in the stock market, and increased unemployment benefits.
- The Dodd-Frank Act aimed to regulate the financial industry and prevent future economic crises.
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Description
Test your knowledge on federalism, local government trust, and the dynamics of government spending. This quiz covers key concepts like local innovation in policy development and the constitutionality of fiscal federalism. Join to learn more about how local and state governments serve citizens.
