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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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Scholarship Roundup: Giving State Law Its Due
State institutions have a major impact on people’s everyday lives — often more than their federal counterparts.
How Much Is Too Much in a Bill or Amendment?
A recent New Mexico Supreme Court opinion highlights how single-subject rule decisions in many states give legislators and courts little guidance.
California Supreme Court to Consider Prosecutorial Discretion Over “Three-Strikes” Law
The Los Angeles district attorney is contesting a requirement that he must seek higher sentences.
The Stakes in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election
Abortion access, voting district maps, and executive powers all hang in the balance.
Original Jurisdiction in State Supreme Courts
Parties, courts, and legislatures can use original jurisdiction to meet their own political ends, potentially affecting issues from elections to abortion rights.
Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Judicial Deference to State Agencies
Ohio is the latest state to conclude that state courts need not defer to state agency interpretations of state law.
What Happens When State and Local Laws Conflict
Cases involving abortion, gun control, and public health pivoted on state preemption standards.