The Evolution of State and Local GovernmentIf you ask most people today which level of government they are most involved with and which has the most impact on their lives, they will undoubtedly answer with: “the State and local authorities”; this is true for most Americans. From policing and fire protection to transportation and doing business, American citizens depend on their state and local governments to meet their growing needs. With this increase in demands, are we demanding too much of our civil servants and will they be able to continue to respond with local and innovative ideas or will they become a stiflingly rigid mega-bureaucracy? This article will examine the history of state and local government, highlight key laws that made it what it is today, and examine what the future may hold for local leaders. The original thirteen colonies under British charters laid the foundation for state government in the United States. States. Independent systems of self-government were based on “English rights,” where most white men could vote (Swindler, 1976). The colonists believed that they should not be taxed without representation in Parliament. Provincial congresses were formed with elected representatives directing the formation of the continental congress. Under the Articles of Confederation, the thirteen colonies, or states, had enormous control over their affairs, which many people wanted. Conversely, many people also insisted on a strong national government limiting power to the colonies. A compromise was reached by the founders of the new nation and what is known as the "federal system" was created, which balanced power between the federal, state and local government...... middle of paper......htmHall, Kermit L. “State Sovereignty and States Rights.” The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com.Kearney, A. and Bowman, R. (2010). Evolution of decentralization. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from Cengage Learning: college.cengage.com/.../evolution_devolution/index.html Reagan, R. (1987). Executive Order 12612 Federalism-Reagan. Retrieved April 9, 2011 from www.uhuh.com: www.uhuh.com/laws/eo12612.htm Swindler, William F., May 1976. English rights since 1776: some Anglo-American notes; 124 U.Pa.L.Rev. 1083 Volume 124 Number 5. http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/pnlr124&div=44&id=&page=Whitehouse. (2011). State and local government. Retrieved April 12, 2011 from Whitehouse.gov: http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/state-local-government