Question

Which sentence is the most accurate summary of Dillon's rule?

a.Local governments should be under the control of the federal government.
b.Local governments only have power that is specifically granted to them by states.
c.Conflict between local and state governments is resolved in the state court system.
d.Municipalities should have the power to govern themselves.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) Local governments only have the power that is specifically granted to them by states.

The sentence that is the most accurate summary of Dillon's rule is "Local governments only have the power that is specifically granted to them by states."

Dillon's rule served as the foundation of the municipal law. It is used to interpret state law when there is a controversy on whether or not the local government has the power to do something. Some lawyers called Dillon's rule the rule of statutory construction. The rule was drafted by Judge John Forest Dillon, the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supre Court in the 1880s.

Answer 2

Answer: b.Local governments only have the power that is specifically granted to them by states. Dillon's Rule affirms that a local government is granted very narrow authority. That it may engage in an activity only if it is specifically conferred by the state government.