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Government Structure
State constitutions vary in how they structure state governments and distribute power among the branches of government and between the state and localities. State governments include statewide executive, legislative, and judicial branches, but also multiple county, district, municipal, and local governments.
Home rule disputes between states and localities, separation of powers among the branches of government, the limits of executive power, jurisdiction of courts, and limits on legislative authority all regularly give rise to litigation.
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Texas Lawmakers’ Unusual Attempt to Halt the Execution of a Possibly Innocent Man
The state high court held that the Texas legislature’s use of its subpoena power to delay an execution violated separation-of-powers principles.
What's at Stake with Congestion Pricing in the Courtroom?
As New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces she’s reviving the program, litigation over the plan is ongoing.
Justices Battle for Control of the Arkansas Supreme Court
A series of disagreements — and resulting disciplinary investigations — threaten to undermine the public’s trust in the court.
States and the Balance of Power
States — and their courts — quietly shape and check federal power.
Fifty Unique, Ever-Changing State Constitutions
A new resource from the State Democracy Research Initiative makes the current text of all 50 state constitutions available and searchable on one site.
Iowa Lawsuit Tests Boundaries of Legislative Privilege
The state’s highest court will consider whether state legislators can be ordered to produce communications with members of the public in a voting rights case.
Scholarship Roundup: New Year Edition
The last few months brought a rich array of articles and books about state constitutions, courts, and governance.
Does the Arizona Constitution Allow Juryless Trial by Bureaucrats?
A case in Arizona calls into question the constitutionality of an administrative hearing in which the owners of a business were found guilty of fraud.