Federalism in Action Scenarios
You’re running late to school and have a test first period, so you beg your mom to drive a little faster. You’re about a block away from your school when your mom gets pulled over by a police officer, who issues her a speeding ticket.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
You used an online two-day shipping offer to order your brother’s birthday gift last minute. Upon your arrival home from school at 3:30, you find a note left by the U.S. Postal Service stating that a delivery was attempted but no one was home. Your package is sitting at a postal facility a few blocks from your apartment. It closes at 4:00 PM.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
In Social Studies class today, you learned that you can register to vote on your 18th birthday. You’re so interested in politics and can’t wait until you can cast your ballot for your favorite candidates.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
Your father is in a really bad mood and tells you and your brother that he’s going to have to cut back on spending for the next few months. He also says that you won’t be taking your annual summer family vacation. When you ask him what’s going on, he tells you that he just filed his taxes and owes a lot of money.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
One day, you walk to your local park to meet your friend for a basketball game. It’s a beautiful day; you enjoy the fresh spring air. The streets in your neighborhood are lined with trees and planters filled with colorful tulips.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
You’re on the school track-and-field team. At the end of each year, your coach treats your entire team to lunch at a local pizzeria. Everyone enjoys a fresh meal in a clean restaurant. The bathrooms are perfectly clean, the kitchen is spotless, and no one gets sick from any foodborne diseases.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
Your grandma is returning from a visit to Italy and has brought a suitcase full of salami and olives through customs at the airport. It has been confiscated upon her re-entry into the country.
Is this a state or federal issue and why?
Closing/Exit Slip- Choose 1 of the three
Choose one of the 3 questions:
Why do you think the founders developed the system of federalism in the Constitution?
How does the division of power between the federal government and state governments continue to affect us as Americans today?
What conflicts might this shared power create in our government? How should those conflicts be resolved?