To grant municipalities some degree of autonomy, states implement which principle?

• A. Dillon's Rule
• B. Direct Democracy
• C. Municipal Autonomy Act
• D. Home Rule

Answer: (D)

Granting municipalities autonomy is about Home Rule. This approach lets cities and towns govern most local matters through their own charters, with the state stepping in only to set broad limits or approve what falls outside the granted powers. The idea is to let local governments tailor policies to their communities—like zoning, local budgeting, and public services—without needing state approval for every decision. Dillon's Rule describes the opposite relationship: municipalities are creations of the state and can exercise only powers explicitly granted by the state. Direct Democracy concerns how people participate in policy making (votes on laws or referenda), not how much autonomy a state grants to local governments. Municipal Autonomy Act isn’t a standard principle in this context. So, Home Rule best captures the concept of granting cities and towns meaningful self-governance.