The concept of Devolution (in Federalism) has primarily had which of the following effects on state courts, and state courts of last resort in particular?

a. State courts of last resort have seen a decrease in public support as a result of devolution since the 1980s.

b. State courts of last resort have seen a growth in their role in policymaking.

c. State courts of last resort have become increasingly subordinated to federal courts with respect to policymaking.

d. State courts of last resort have been unaffected by devolution insofar as they occupy the same position relative to other state courts as they did before.

The answer is b. State courts of last resort have seen a growth in their role in policymaking.

Explanation:

Devolution is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralization.

On a state level, the court of last resort means that the state court maintains the highest and final legal authority as well as the managing court for each state's judicial system within that particular state.

Therefore this delegation of power causes the cours of las resourt to have more independence as well as responsibility for policy making.