Current News, Analyses, Events, Publications & Personalities
In the interests of intellectual discourse, the Center for the Study of Federalism posts diverse viewpoints. The views we post do not necessarily represent the views of the Center.
Supreme Court to Hear "Faithless Electors" Case
POSTED | Jan 23, 2020
The Supreme Court has agreed to take up two cases concerning so-called "faithless electors," electors who failed to vote for presidential candidates that they had...More
State Constitutional Claims in Federal Court
POSTED | Jan 23, 2020
Michael Morley offers several suggestions for ways to more efficiently adjudicate state constitutional claims in federal court. Read more here.
Does the Russian Constitution Require Centralized Fiscal Controls?
POSTED | Jan 22, 2020
Elena Ryabova contends that, to the contrary of rulings by the Constitutional Court, the Russian Constitution does not establish the need for uniform, centralized budget...More
Trump Administration to Offer Guidance in Converting Medicaid to Block Grants
POSTED | Jan 22, 2020
The Trump administration will soon offer guidance for granting states waivers to convert Medicaid funding to block grants (password required). Read more here.
States Change How Census Counts Prisoners for Redistricting Purposes
POSTED | Jan 21, 2020
The U.S. Census counts prisoners where they are incarcerated. Some states, however, have passed laws requiring that, for purposes of redistricting, inmates be counted in...More
California Seeks Truce with Trump Administration About Homelessness
POSTED | Jan 21, 2020
After months of tense exchanges about California's homeless crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will send an envoy to meet with Trump administration...More
Trump Administration Issues School Prayer Guidelines
POSTED | Jan 21, 2020
The Trump administration has unveiled the federal government's first guidelines on prayer in public schools since 2003 (password required). Read more here.
FBI to Alert States About Election Hacks
POSTED | Jan 20, 2020
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced that it will notify state and local election officials when it learns that local election systems have been...More
States Sue to Stop Food Assistance Work Requirement
POSTED | Jan 20, 2020
A group of blue states and other jurisdictions have filed a lawsuit to block the Trump administration's new work requirements for food stamps. The new...More
Federalism in the United States, Mexico, and Argentina Compared
POSTED | Jan 17, 2020
Antonio María Hernández examines and contrasts the federal structures of the United States, Mexico, and Argentina. Read more here.
Subnational Constitutionalism Studied
POSTED | Jan 17, 2020
James A. Gardner looks at the "extremely robust" network of subnational constitutions in the United States. Read more here.
New Hampshire Legislators File Bill Supporting the Electoral College
POSTED | Jan 16, 2020
A group of New Hampshire legislators have filed a bill that would withhold the state's popular vote total in presidential elections until after the members...More
Court Blocks Trump Administration Refugee Policy
POSTED | Jan 16, 2020
A federal judge in Maryland has temporarily enjoined the Trump administration from giving states and localities the power to accept or reject refugees (password required). Read...More
Decentralization in Zambia
POSTED | Jan 15, 2020
A group of authors trace the progress of decentralization in Zambia since the early 2000s. Read more here.
Work Requirements for Food Assistance Have Little Effect on Employment
POSTED | Jan 15, 2020
The Trump administration's work requirements for food assistance go into effect across the nation this April. Similar requirements already in place in West Virginia have...More