Assignment task:
Federalism and the Grants in Aid System
The grants in Aid system is when the Federal government grants money to the states to help fund a federal project or program. These grants are often associated with mandates, meaning the Federal Government mandates that the states must implement these programs to some degree. Sometimes these mandates come in the form of funded mandates whereby the federal government offers money to the states in the form of block and categorical grants. Other times, they are unfunded mandates whereby the states must follow the law, but pay for it themselves.
Part I: Expand upon the Grants in Aid system. How do mandates impact the relationship between states and the federal government? To what extent do Block and Categorical grants help to shape this relationship? Do the Grants in Aid system comply with the goal of the 10th Amendment / Reserved Powers?
Part II: Choose TWO topics below and expand upon the relationship between the federal government and the states. How do the Grants in Aid system continue the relationship between states and the federal government?
- Social Security
- Medicaid
- Affordable Care Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Clean Air Act
- No Child Left Behind Act