States States States play an important role in implementing and defining federal policies. In 49 states, by constitution or statute, the budget must be balanced at the end of each fiscal year.
Citizens can initiate, endorse, or recall a law or elected official.
State legislatures and government receive much less press interest and coverage than the federal govennment. Congress specifies the area in which money are spent, but states and localities can decide which programs best fit their needs, within broad categories. Title V block grants are non-competitive and therefore, if a state submits an application which conforms to the guidelines, the state will receive the funds. Each locality can select the most pressing issues facing maternal and child health in their community and invest funds in these areas. The recent shift of power to the states has been accepted by both parties particularly as the financial crisis of federal budget demands reductions in spending.