Which statement best describes the power of state governments in the U.S. federal system?

A. State governments hold substantial power over the federal government, including most powers directly stated in the U.S. Constitution.

B. State governments were once dominant over the federal government, but their power has been drastically reduced in favor of the federal government.

C. State governments mostly rely on the power of the federal government to carry out their policy objectives using federal police powers.

D. State governments can be overruled by the federal government, but in many areas of concurrent and reserved powers, state governments have significant power.