- About Pitt Law
- Welcome from the Interim Dean
- Facilities
- Dean's Office
- Faculty Directory
- Staff Directory
- History
- Board of Visitors Members
- Community Engagement
- Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence
- Land Acknowledgement
- The Resilience and Engagement Project
- Building Resilience Case Studies on Student Interventions & Psychological Insights Conference
- Summary
- Project Description
- Students and Faculty Talk Resilience
- How does the in-class facilitation conversation work?
- How to Facilitate In-Class Discussion
- Suggested Project Timeline and Milestone
- Tips for Leading a Discussion
- Sample Lesson Plan for Leading a Discussion Group
- Sample Student Responses and Advice
- Project Results
- Our Papers
- The Student Voice
- Helpful Resources
- Handbook
- Glossary
- Agenda
- Zoom Backgrounds
- Admissions
- Academics
- Centers & Institutes
- Bioethics & Health Law
- Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice
- Center for International Legal Education
- CILE Overview
- Global Scholars Program
- Rule of Law Fellowship Program
- CILE 25th Anniversary
- JD Opportunities
- LLM Program
- SJD Program
- Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
- Visiting Professors
- Visiting Scholars
- Study Abroad
- International Internships
- Moot Court Experience
- The CISG Song
- Alumni News
- Visiting Scholars
- Support CILE
- Contact CILE
- News, Events and Media
- Center for Text Analytic Methods in Legal Studies
- Future Law Project
- Hickton Center for Community Legal Services & Clinical Legal Education
- John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Program
- Career Services
- Resources
- A-Z Resources Guide
- Academic Calendar
- Dean of Students
- Student Event Calendar
- Academic Support
- Bar Exams
- Barco Law Building Hours
- Courses and Curriculum
- Courses & Curriculum Overview
- Catalog of Courses
- First-Year Curriculum
- Pitt Law Academy
- Courses by Requirement
- Departmental Consent
- Required Textbooks by Class
- Schedule of Classes Spring 2025
- Schedule of Intersession Spring 2025
- Schedule of Classes Fall 2024
- Schedule of Classes Spring 2024
- Schedule of Intersession 2024
- Schedule of Classes Fall 2023
- Schedule of Classes Spring 2023
- Schedule of Intersession 2023
- Schedule of Classes Fall 2022
- Exams
- Grades and Transcripts
- Graduation and Diplomas
- Incoming Student Orientation
- Information Technology
- Marketing & Communications
- Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence
- Ombudsperson
- Policies and Procedures
- Registration Services
- Student Bar Association (SBA)
- Student Organizations
- Alumni
State & Local Government
Class Term:
Fall Term 2024-2025
Catalog Number:
5169
Professor(s):
Professor
Lecture
Credits:
2 (2 Contact, 0 Field)
Priority:
General Enrollment Course
Full Year Course:
No
Category:
Standard Courses
Grading Details
Class participation – 10%; Issue paper – 40%; Final examination – 50%. N.B.: I am open to modifying this breakdown to include (either in addition to or in lieu of the Issue Paper) an interactive element such as an in-class presentation or debate activity.
Description
This survey course will explore the nature and significance of state and local government law, topics that often have lived in the shadow of federal government law, but have become increasingly relevant in recent years, especially given the increasing prominence of states like Pennsylvania on the national political stage. The course will examine the role of state legislatures and courts in protecting liberty and property rights under their own constitutions, and most notably whether they should construe these guarantees to offer protections that the federal courts have not provided in construing the federal constitution. Relevant examples include litigation involving voting rights and school funding as well as discussions involving such diverse topics as reproductive rights, property takings, and the free exercise of religion, among others. We also will consider the amendment procedures of state constitutions, the election of state court judges, and other structural issues.
This course also will take a look at the law governing the powers and duties of local governments, mainly municipal entities such as cities, boroughs and townships (towns). The course will study the sources of municipal powers, the limits on those powers, the relationship between municipalities and the state including the relationship between state and local law, and various examples of the relationship between the municipality and the state including home rule, as well as some issues in municipal finance and zoning power. Where possible, we also will consider the intersection of state and local government law and important current events both locally and nationally.