Answer: a. State governments
Step-by-step explanation:
In the US, there are 3 types of government: federal, state and local. Local government comprises counties and municipalities or cities/towns. Local government deals with the police, providing public local services (such as public transportation) and caring for citizens in calamitous situations. Local government is the form of authority which is closest to the citizen.
Since local governments are granted power by state governments, they often model their structure from state governments.