Examples of Concurrent Powers in the United States

📚 Quick Study Guide

🏛️ Concurrent powers are powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

📜 These powers are not exclusively reserved to the federal government, nor are they denied to the states.

⚖️ Examples include the power to tax, build roads, and create lower courts.

👮 Both levels of government can enact and enforce laws, as long as state laws do not conflict with federal laws.

💰 Taxing: Both the federal and state governments can levy income and sales taxes.

🛣️ Building Roads: Both can construct and maintain highways and other infrastructure.

🚓 Enforcing Laws: Both have the power to establish law enforcement agencies.

🏛️ Creating Courts: Both can establish court systems (lower courts).

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is an example of a concurrent power?
1. A. Declaring war
2. B. Coining money
3. C. Levying taxes
4. D. Negotiating treaties
2. The power to establish courts is:
1. A. An exclusive federal power
2. B. A reserved state power
3. C. A concurrent power
4. D. A denied power
3. If a state law conflicts with a federal law regarding a concurrent power, which law prevails?
1. A. The state law
2. B. The federal law
3. C. Whichever law is older
4. D. Whichever law is stricter
4. Building and maintaining infrastructure, such as roads, is an example of:
1. A. An enumerated power
2. B. A reserved power
3. C. A concurrent power
4. D. A denied power
5. Which level(s) of government can establish law enforcement agencies?
1. A. Federal only
2. B. State only
3. C. Local only
4. D. Both federal and state
6. What principle allows the federal government to preempt state laws regarding concurrent powers?
1. A. States' Rights
2. B. Federalism
3. C. Supremacy Clause
4. D. Necessary and Proper Clause
7. The ability to collect income taxes is a power held by:
1. A. The federal government only
2. B. The state governments only
3. C. Both the federal and state governments
4. D. Local governments only