Worksheet 02.1: The Constitutional Powers of Government

If you are a farmer who grows and sells only locally, can you correctly conclude that the commerce clause does NOT apply to your activities? a. No, because the commerce clause has been broadly interpreted. b. Yes, because your state legislature may say such. c. Yes, because you are engaged in intrastate commerce. d. No, because the commerce clause specifically states that it regulates all commerce.

. No, because the commerce clause has been broadly interpreted.

judicial branch

Interprets the laws

legaslative branch

Makes laws

Our government has a system of __ and balances that allow each branch to limit the actions of the other two branches. For example, the __ branch can enact a law, but the __ branch can veto that law.

checks, legislative, executive

Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution impacts businesses greatly and is referred to as the __ clause.

commerce

If a state passes a regulation that impacts interstate commerce, it may violate the __ commerce clause. To decide if the regulation is unconstitutional, the courts typically balance the __ of the state against the __ on interstate commerce.

dormant, interests, burdens

Match the branch of government with the function it performs in our government. executive branch

enforces the law

. State police powers only authorize the creation and maintenance of police forces. a. True b. False

false

State laws that allow the use of medical marijuana protect users in those states from federal prosecution.

false

The U.S. Constitution created a __ form of government.

federal

Which of the following would NOT be regulated at the state level? a. Interstate commerce laws b. Zoning restrictions c. Fire and building codes d. Antidiscrimination laws

interstate commerce laws

What powers do the states have to regulate or prohibit private activities? a. Police powers b. Zoning powers c. Sovereign powers d. Oversight powers

police powers

When Congress intends to exclusively control a subject where the U.S. Constitution allows for both states and the federal government to act, courts will use the doctrine of __ to invalidate any state regulations.

preemption

When there is a direct conflict between a federal and a state law, the state law is rendered invalid.

true