The state of US federalism, 1999-2000

Federalism has rarely been a key national campaign issue, and the President ial campaign of 2000 was no exception. Although the candidates talked of a key state-local issue-education-it was in the context of the popular concer n over the quality of schools rather than federalism issues of governmental responsibility for education. However one aspect of federalism was evident in the presidential campaign. The first president of the new millennium ma y get a chance to name at least one U.S. Supreme Court justice. Given the s lim 5-4 majorities on most federalism cases, the appointment or appointment s could be pivotal. Meanwhile, in the Congress and state capitols, technolo gy and globalization issues forced a rethinking of traditional intergovernm ental fiscal and regulatory functions.