Intergovernmental Relations

The relationships between federal, state, and local governments have been in varying degrees of dynamic tension since the founding of this country. Concern with the care of dependent or needy populations has reflected this tension. The original sovereignty enjoyed by the 13 colonies following the Revolutionary War was challenged over time by the evolving power of the federal government. This evolution resulted from federal legislative actions, the initiatives and vetoes of presidents, court decisions, and constitutional amendments. The crisis of the Great Depression of the 1930s can be viewed as the beginning of modern federalism, with the emergence of an increasingly strong, more dominant federal government. Within 35 years of this crisis, a significant challenge to this growth was expressed through the resurgence of political support for limiting the role of the federal government, and for the return of power to the states. The net results of this challenge seemed unclear at the close of the Reagan presidency.