In the Constitution of 1876, what was the role of local and county governments relative to state government? Local governments and counties were severely constrained in their authority. Local governments were strengthened, and many state administrative and judicial functions were given to counties. Local governments and counties were not addressed in the Constitution of 1876. Local governments and counties had some limited powers over taxation but could not act without explicit authority from the state. Local government and counties surpassed state governments in their powers.