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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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Interpretive Methods in State Constitutional Law
Transcript of panel from Symposium: The Promise and Limits of State Constitutions
Judicial Federalism and the Status of State Constitutions
Transcript of panel from Symposium: The Promise and Limits of State Constitutions
Scholarship Roundup: That’s a Wrap on 2023
New publications on state public law focus on topics ranging from constitutional conventions to criminal sentencing.
Ohio Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Pause of Abortion Ban
As Ohioans prepare to vote on an abortion ballot measure this fall, the state is asking to reinstate a six-week ban that was put on hold by a trial court.
Governor DeSantis vs. Prosecutorial Discretion
Florida is one of several places where prosecutors are being targeted because of their charging decisions.
The Major Questions Doctrine in the States
State courts should hesitate before adopting the federal major questions doctrine under state law.
Judicial Advisory Opinions Explained
State and federal courts differ not just in the substantive rights they recognize but also in how they define judicial 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.