469 U.S. 528 (1985)
Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority is a landmark Supreme Court case that dealt with the powers of the federal government versus those of the states, particularly in the context of labor regulations.
Does the application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to state and local government employees violate the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution?
The Fair Labor Standards Act applies to state and local government employees, and Congress has the authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate activities that substantially affect interstate commerce, including state and local governmental functions.
The Supreme Court held that the Fair Labor Standards Act does apply to employees of state and local governments, overruling the precedent set in National League of Cities v. Usery.
Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority is significant for its impact on the balance of power between the federal government and the states. It marks a pivotal moment of constitutional interpretation concerning the Commerce Clause, representing a broad understanding of federal authority over state activities. For law students, understanding this case is integral to grasping the evolution of federalism and the scope of the Commerce Clause, as well as the role of the judiciary in shaping the contours of state versus federal power.