The framers recognized the need to balance the powers of the national and state governments as they wrote the Constitution. Why was this so important to them?

1. Federal Forbearance ; 2. Avoid federal preemption of state laws & policies.  

Explanation:

Division , balanced power is very important for ensuring overall regionally balanced & equitable growth of entire economy.

US government has government structure based on 'federalism'. It consists of two tier government : federal & state. US constitution has proper provisions mentioning relationship & authorities of states & federal governments.

Following are the principles for state federal relations :

Exercise Federal Forbearance : Federal authority is recommended to be confined to areas in which - constitutional authority for action is clear & certain, problems entirely national in scope, national interest is at risk; and federal action should be suitable to each state'e unique problem solving capabilities Avoiding preemption of state laws & policies : There should be no intervention with independent state revenue system. State's standards should be preserved. Judicial branch should respect state authority. Unnecessary, unfunded federal mandates imposition should be avoided. Federal state programs should be designed peculiarly.