Whatever the US Constitution does not specifically authorize the federal government to do is left up to the states and to the people. While theoretically restraining the federal government, it provides an open invitation for state government to interject itself into its residents’ lives. There are two main restraints that stand in states’ way as they seek to exploit that constitutional mandate. First, the people can always vote out politicians who go too far. Secondly, the states cannot print money. This means the state budget process is a crucial fight in protecting individual rights and preventing government overreach. The people are ultimately responsible for waging that fight by holding politicians accountable for their decisions. The people can only do this when they have access to reliable information and analysis throughout the budget process. That is why covering this process continues to be a top priority at the MacIver Institute for Public Policy.

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