A Joint Invitation to Return to States’ Rights

Posted on 07 May 2009

by M.J. “Manny” Steele, South Dakota Representative (Dist. 12)

Greetings from South Dakota. I am proud to announce that South Dakota was the first state to accomplish bicameral passage of its resolution, HCR1013, to affirm our state’s rights.

Joining me today to announce the successful passage this year of their respective states’ rights resolutions are the primary sponsors and leaders from the following states:

• Alaska (HJR27) Passed House and Senate
  Mike Kelly, Dist. 7, Sponsor
  Gary Stevens, Senate President
• Georgia (SR632) Passed Senate
  Chip Pearson, Dist. 51, Sponsor
• Idaho (HJM004) Passed House and Senate
  Lenore Barrett, Dist. 35, Sponsor
  Dick Harwood, Dist. 2, Sponsor
  Lawerence Denney, House Speaker
• Missouri (HCR13) Passed House
  Jim Guest, Dist. 5, Sponsor
• North Dakota (HCR3063) Passed House and Senate
  Craig Headland, Dist. 29, Sponsor
  David Monson, House Speaker
• Oklahoma (HJR1003) Passed House and Senate
  Randy Brogdon, Dist. 34, Sponsor
• South Carolina (H3509) Passed House; Currently in Senate Committee
  Michael A. Pitts, Dist. 14, Sponsor
• South Dakota (HCR1013) Passed House and Senate
  Manny Steele, Dist. 12, Sponsor
  Dennis Daugaard, Lt. Governor
  Tim Rave, House Speaker

We have heard great news from Texas that its HCR50 passed committee April 23, 2009. Sponsoring Representative Brandon Creighton expects the House to pass the resolution very shortly. In addition, Arizona’s HCR2024 passed committee on April 14, and per Sponsoring Representative Judy Burges, it is expected to pass the House.

The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution expressly reserves all powers to the states which are not delegated to the federal government. Over the course of decades, there have been increasing federal mandates and acts designed to effectively step in and legislate the affairs of our various states from Washington D.C.

Federal usurpation into state affairs severely limits the ability of state governments to operate according to their citizens’ wishes. We believe that the best government is one which governs closer to the people.

As of this announcement, legislatures in nine states’ have acted on bi-partisan support and have passed their respective resolutions to affirm states’ rights. These are: Alaska (HJR27), Georgia (SR632), Idaho (HJM4), Indiana (SR42), Missouri (HCR13), North Dakota (HCR3063), Oklahoma (HJR1003), South Carolina (H3509) and South Dakota (HCR1013).

It appears that there are 25 more states which presently have similar resolutions pending.

The current price of erosion of states’ rights exceeds $11 trillion. Without the countless attempts in Washington to duplicate and micromanage our states’ affairs, much of this debt could have been avoided.

It is our sincere desire that each of you sees this popular issue as a means to more effectively carry out your duties to the citizens you work so hard to represent. We call on you to join us so that, together, we can make a difference.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or to discuss how our states can work together to bring back government closer to the people.