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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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Will Courts Continue to Favor State Control Over Home Rule?
Constitutional amendments giving cities greater authority over local policy have repeatedly met resistance by state courts over the last century.
Confederate Monuments and State Constitutions
Courts considering removal of Confederate monuments have ignored southern states’ Reconstruction-era commitments to maintaining national unity and respecting racial equality.
Wisconsin’s Legislative Vetoes Go to Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to decide whether a legislative committee can override executive branch decisions.
Judicial Deference to Agency Expertise in the States
Almost all state courts recognize the importance of agencies’ expertise in policymaking.
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.
State Supreme Courts Weigh In on Police Reform
Recent state decisions have increased accountability for law enforcement and upheld laws aimed at curbing police violence.
District of Columbia Courts Explained
The Washington, DC, court system shares many similarities with state courts, but with a few important caveats.
State Supreme Court ‘Shadow Dockets’: More Power with Less Transparency
State supreme courts are shaping the law and resolving some of the most consequential issues facing society in ways that are almost impossible for us to see.