States versus Federal Government - Reserve Powers (Chicago)
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What Are Some Examples of Reserved Powers?
States use their police powers to “regulate public welfare and morality.” Examples of powers reserved to the states include the following:
Running elections
Creating marriage laws and issuing marriage certificates
Establishing and running schools and hospitals
Issuing professional licenses (e.g., medical or law licenses)
Implementing welfare programs
Read the Supreme Court Interpretation of the Tenth Amendment section below for more information about state police powers.
Why are Reserved Powers Important?
Reserving powers for state governments helps maintain a balance of power between them and the federal government. It also allows states the freedom to try out different ideas and programs. States are sometimes called “laboratories of democracy” for this reason.
The Tenth Amendment safeguards the principles of federalism. Federalism refers to the division of power between the federal and state governments. It generally protects states’ rights by limiting the federal government’s ability to regulate or command state governments to adopt policies or enforce federal laws.