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American federalism gives citizens many points of access to government leaders and increases their opportunities for influencing public policy. Americans have the chance to vote on a regular basis. They elect governors, state lawmakers, mayors, council members, school board members, county prosecutors, and many other state and local officials, such as the judges that sit on the municipal, county, and state courts. They also vote on specific local issues—whether to build a mass transit system in their city, whether to outlaw smoking in public places, or whether to increase property taxes for schools.

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Rival political parties are a key element of democratic government. Federalism makes it possible for different parties to be victorious in state, local, and federal elections. Furthermiore, federalism lessens the risk of one party having a monopoly of political power at all levels of government.

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Under federalism and the Constitution, states must honor other states’ laws and court orders, even if their own laws are different.

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Regulating and Promoting Business:
-States regulate corporations within their borders and promote those businesses.

Crime:
-The protection of life and property is the responsibility of state and local governments. Each state sets its own system of punishment. Local governments typically enforce these state laws through their local police forces.

Education, Health, and Welfare:
Education, health, and welfare account for the largest portion of state spending.

Environment:
States try to preserve their natural resources by regulating air and water pollution. Environmental regulation impacts the health of residents and the economy of the state.

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States can make laws about anything that is not prohibited by the Constitution or by national law. States are involved in many day-to-day concerns of their residents. They regulate and promote business, preserve natural resources, make and enforce criminal laws, protect individual rights, and provide for public health, education, and welfare. The national government also addresses some of these issues.