US, State & Local Government: Who Does What

by bam

A practical, non-partisan guide to which level of government actually does what in your daily life, and how to engage with each one. Federal (defense, currency, Social Security and Medicare, interstate matters, federal courts), state (education standards, professional and driver licensing, state roads and police, running elections), and local (schools, zoning, police and fire, water and trash, property tax). You'll see how money and mandates flow between the levels, learn where to show up and be heard at each (town halls, school boards, public comment, contacting your representatives), and meet the special districts and boards people forget exist. Cited to USA.gov, the U.S. Census Bureau's Census of Governments, NCSL, the National League of Cities, and NACo. Local structures VARY by state, and the course says so and points you to your own state's rules rather than pretending one model fits all.