Which of the following best defines concurrent powers?

Concurrent powers are those powers that both state and national governments can exercise simultaneously. This is an important aspect of the federal system in the United States, where governmental authority is divided between different levels. Examples of concurrent powers include the ability to tax, borrow money, and enforce laws. These shared powers enhance the functionality of government by allowing both levels to operate in areas where they have interests that overlap.

The other definitions provided are specific to distinct categories of powers. Powers solely held by federal authorities refer to powers exclusive to the national government, such as regulating interstate commerce and conducting foreign affairs. Powers reserved exclusively for the states pertain to the state's rights to legislate in areas not specifically granted to the federal government, such as education and local government. Powers denied to both federal and state jurisdictions include prohibitions laid out in the Constitution, such as those against ex post facto laws or granting titles of nobility. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why concurrent powers are defined as those that can be exercised by both the state and national governments, playing a critical role in the governance structure.