State constitutions are similar to the US Constitution in that they establish three branches of government and include bills of rights, but they are generally longer and allow citizens to more easily amend the constitution. State constitutions give states responsibility for law enforcement, education, infrastructure, and providing some public services, while local governments focus on services within counties, cities, and towns like schools, public safety, and utilities.

1. How State Constitutions Compare With the National Constitutions?
Similarities Differences
1) Most state constitutions begin with a 1)Most state constitutions are longer and
preamble. more detailed.
2) Most state constitutions include a bill of 2)In many states, citizens can amend the
rights. constitution. In a process known as the
3) State constitutions set up a government constitutional initiative, people can gather
with three branches—legislative, executive, signatures on a petition to amend the state
and judicial. constitution. If enough signatures are
4) State constitutions can be amended. gathered, the petition goes to the legislature
or to the voters.
State Services Local Government—
1)Maintain law and order 1)government on the county, parish, city,
2)Enforce criminal law town, village, and district level; get their
3)Protect property powers from the state
2)Build and run local schools
4)Regulate business 3)Hire and support firefighters, police, and
5)Supervise public education garbage collectors
6)Provide public health and welfare 4)Provide sewers and water
programs 5)Maintain local roads
7)Build and maintain the state’s 6)Maintain local hospitals
infrastructure, or system of roads, 7)Conduct safety inspection of buildings and
bridges, and tunnels restaurants
8)May own and run water and sewage
8)Operate state parks and forests treatment plants
8)Provide libraries, parks, and other cultural
and recreational facilities
9)May support airports, sports arenas, and
civic centers

2. Democratic Values
Responsibility of Citizenship