Final answer:
A question on state law is final once it passes through all levels of state court appeals, or if reviewed, after the U.S. Supreme Court decides on any federal issues involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
A decision on a question of state law is considered final when it has made its way through all possible state court appeals, and there are no remaining avenues for appeal within the state's legal system. In cases where the question at hand implicates federal law or constitutional issues, it may be heard by federal courts after all state remedies have been exhausted. However, even after a state supreme court ruling, there might be an additional possibility for the case to be elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court, although this is only if there is a pertinent federal question or a claim that a federal constitutional right has been violated.
For example, a controversial issue like the death penalty may result in rulings at the state level but also can be challenged up to the U.S. Supreme Court where federal constitutional issues are considered. Importantly, the power at the substate level is subject to Dillon's Rule, indicating state law trumps local law, reaffirming that state court decisions are final unless federal review is warranted.