16 December 2007
Within federal framework, each state has considerable autonomy
The 50 U.S. states are divided into 3,141 counties with about 30,000 cities and 85,000 townships. The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants state and local governments all powers not specifically reserved for the federal government. Consequently, states and communities adopt laws and forms of government that suit their needs, resulting in a diverse patchwork of governmental practices.
Nevada
The state of Nevada’s renowned liberal laws grew partly from the desert state’s desire to retain its population after silver prospecting went into decline. It legalized many practices that were illegal in neighboring states, such as casino gambling and some forms of prostitution. It also has the most permissive laws in the country concerning marriage and divorce.
Texas
One of the most powerful entities in the state of Texas is the Texas Railroad Commission, whose three elected members derive their power not from authority over the railroads, which they have not regulated since 2005, but from their mandate to regulate Texas’ historically important oil and gas industry.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma hosts 39 American Indian tribal governments. The tribal governments, unlike the fully sovereign Indian reservations, are subject to U.S. congressional authority, but still are recognized as having authority over their tribes and tribal members through their own executive, legislative and judicial systems.
Nebraska
The unicameral legislature in the state of Nebraska is the sole exception to the bicameral system existing in all other states. It is also the nation’s only nonpartisan state legislature, since the senators are elected on a ballot that does not list their party affiliations. Unlike most states that require a two-thirds majority to override a governor’s veto, the Nebraska Legislature requires a three-fifths majority.
Louisiana
The state of Louisiana’s political and legal structure has retained elements from its past as a French colony, basing its legal system on European continental and Roman law as opposed to English common law. It also was influenced strongly by the Napoleonic Code. As a result, judicial decisions depend more on principles set by legislation than on prior court precedents. Also, as in France, general elections typically include multiple candidates and runoff elections are held if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote.
Alabama
Alabama’s 1901 state Constitution is the world’s longest. With more than 770 amendments and 310,000 words, the document is about 40 times the length of the U.S. federal Constitution.
West Virginia
West Virginia has a citizen legislature, as opposed to a full-time legislature, which means the delegates maintain full-time jobs in their home communities and convene in the state capital for only 60 days between January and early April. However, the governor also can call special sessions, and monthly interim sessions often are held to prepare for the regular session.
Maryland
The city of Takoma Park, Maryland, declared itself a “nuclear-free zone” in 1983, prohibiting official contact with companies associated with nuclear weapons. The city council also voted in 2007 to impeach the current president and vice-president of the United States in a symbolic resolution.
The District of Columbia
The city of Washington, created as a federal district to host the national capital, is governed like other American cities by a mayor and city council. However, District residents’ only representation in the U.S. Congress is a House representative who does not have voting privileges.
New York
The five boroughs that constitute New York City originally were separate counties and villages that were absorbed into the city as it expanded beyond Manhattan Island. The counties still retain a small amount of self-governance, but are under the authority of the New York City mayor and the city council.