There’s nowhere else in the world like Louisiana. From Cajun and Creole traditions to world-famous cuisine and music, Louisiana’s identity reflects centuries of French, Spanish, African, and American influence. Add in the mighty Mississippi, the Gulf Coast, and a spirit of resilience and community, and you get a place that’s truly special and unique.

Likewise, some needs of Louisiana and its citizens are unique. Thankfully, American states can each govern themselves at the state and local levels, enhancing civic engagement and virtue, as well as producing more efficient, effective solutions to problems that may arise. This is possible because of federalism, a system of government in which multiple governments share authority over the same geographical area.

Federalism was the Founding Fathers’ solution to framing a government that was strong enough to enforce its laws on national issues while preserving the power and autonomy of states to address local needs. Having just fought and won a war against the English armies of King George III, whom they viewed as a tyrant, the Founders were justifiably wary of a powerful central government. They decided to divide power among the federal, state, and local governments to prevent central overreach. Now, state power and sovereignty, granted by our federalist system, allow for the states to function as “laboratories of democracy.” States can develop policies that best serve their citizens, who may have vastly different needs across the country.

The Constitution clearly lays out where federal authority begins and ends. Article I, Section 8 enumerates the powers of Congress—such as coining money, raising armies, declaring war, establishing post offices, and regulating interstate and international commerce through what is known as the Commerce Clause in order to ensure a free, unified national marketplace. Federal powers were intentionally limited to national concerns, leaving the rest to the states or the people under the Tenth Amendment. States, in turn, maintain broad authority over issues like education, policing, infrastructure, and local economic development. This balance ensures that the federal government addresses truly national issues while states remain free to govern in ways that reflect the particular needs of their people.

However, this brilliant system, which allowed the United States to thrive in development and innovation, must not be undermined. Many states have come to rely on money from the federal government, which typically comes with strings attached. Louisiana has become alarmingly dependent on federal funds, which have made up about half of the state’s budget over the last few years. When federal funds are reduced or eliminated, Louisiana finds itself in a budget crisis. State priorities are altered or abandoned, and the continuation of programs that could not survive without federal grants, along with compliance activities to maintain such grants, take precedence. In a famous example, Louisiana was pressured by the federal government to adopt the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which raised the legal drinking age to 21. Louisiana reluctantly complied for the sake of keeping federal highway funding and was the last U.S. state to do so.

For Americans to continue to thrive and prosper, they must be at the helm of their own affairs. They must be able to ensure that their government—federal, state, and local—is serving the best interests of their communities. Civic engagement happens most often at the state and local levels, which are nearest to the people. That is why it is imperative that federalism is always respected in policy, so that citizens remain empowered.

We recently celebrated Constitution Day on September 17th; it was a timely moment to reflect on federalism and states’ rights as outlined in that great document and what must be done to protect them. Louisiana ain’t Mississippi, Montana, or anywhere else—and we should be able to act like it.