The impact of legislative and judicial actions at the federal, state
Scenario: You are a writer for a website that evaluates the impact of legislative and judicial actions at the federal, state, and local levels. Your manager has asked you to create a matrix that allows readers to easily compare roles and responsibilities of different branches within federal and state governments.
Sample Answer
This table compares the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government at the federal and state levels:
Branch | Federal Government | State Government |
---|---|---|
Legislative | Makes laws (Congress: House of Representatives & Senate) | Makes laws (State Legislature: Assembly & Senate) |
Responsibilities | * Proposes, debates, and enacts laws * Approves federal budget * Confirms presidential appointments (Senate) * Declares war (Congress) * Has oversight power over executive branch | * Proposes, debates, and enacts state laws * Approves state budget * Confirms gubernatorial appointments (Senate) * Has oversight power over executive branch |
Executive | Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet Departments & Agencies) | Carries out laws (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Departments & Agencies) |
Responsibilities | * Enforces laws * Vetoes legislation (President) * Issues executive orders * Commands armed forces (Commander-in-Chief) * Conducts foreign policy * Appoints federal officials | * Enforces laws * Vetoes legislation (Governor) * Issues executive orders * Commands state National Guard * Manages state agencies * Appoints state officials |
Judicial | Interprets laws (Supreme Court & lower federal courts) | Interprets laws (State Supreme Court & lower state courts) |
Responsibilities | * Reviews constitutionality of laws * Settles legal disputes between states or the federal government and individuals * Provides final interpretation of federal law | * Reviews constitutionality of state laws * Settles legal disputes within the state * Provides final interpretation of state law |