The reverse powers clause states that

• A. all powers not delegated to the federal government belong to the states
• B. federal government holds all residual powers
• C. local governments hold all residual powers
• D. states have no inherent powers

Answer: (A)

Power distribution between the national and state levels is tested here: the federal government has only the powers delegated to it by the Constitution, and everything not delegated remains with the states or the people. This reserved-powers idea, tied to the Tenth Amendment, explains why the statement that all powers not delegated to the federal government belong to the states is the correct description. Local governments derive their authority from the states, so they don’t hold residual powers independently of state sovereignty. States do retain inherent powers to govern within their borders, so saying they have no inherent powers is inaccurate. The other options clash with this framework by insisting the federal government holds residual powers, or by misplacing residual powers with local governments.