As the federal government bails out banks, reorganizes auto manufacturers, and considers sweeping health care reforms, some Tennesseans think, "Enough is enough." More than a handful of state lawmakers want that sentiment in writing.
Tennessee is one of several states with a sovereignty bill on the legislative floor. The point -- to remind Washington that, under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, their authority stops at the state line.
House Joint Resolution 108 might be a little watered down,* but it joined the tidal wave of support for state sovereignty around the country.
(*The amended version removed the following statements from the preamble:
1 - "Many powers assumed by the federal government and federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States."
2 - "A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States."
It also removed a clause demanding the federal government halt and reverse 10th Amendment violations.
To view the amended bill, click the first link at left.)
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said that support has been building. "I think people have finally gotten to the point, especially under the current administration to be honest, that we see states' rights stripped away and stripped away," Ramsey said.
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp (one of Ramsey's opponents in Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial primary) said it would behoove Tennessee to control it's own revenue.
"There's a trend in this county of too much federal government and we need to push them back," Wamp said. "I don't want to be treated like New Jersey or California. They have their own rules."
According to the website TenthAmendmentCenter.com, 36 states have a similar bill at some state of the legislative process (to view their interactive map, click the second link at left).
Web site founder Michael Boldin said the state sovereignty movement is a bi-partisan issue.
"There's just a total trashing {of the 10th Amendment} no matter who's in power," Boldin said. "I think this is something that's been going on for a long time, and as we see the economy start to effect the average {person}, more and more people are saying, 'Where is this coming from?'"
Boldin said marriage amendments, federal drug wars, and some aspects of foreign policy championed by Republican administrations also violate the 10th amendment.
"I actually started {the website} in 2007 when Bush was in power because I felt there was very little they were doing that was in line with the constitution," Boldin said.
HJR 108 was sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet). It has 41 co-sponsors. The Tennessee House overwhelmingly approved the bill 85-2. On Thursday, it was passed on to the Senate Ways and Mean Committee.
All nine legislators in our Northeast Tennessee viewing area voted for HJR 108, including co-sponsor Jason Mumpower.
"We want to say to Washington again: 'Remember, the government that governs best is the one that's most in touch with the people -- closest to home -- and in this case that's the Tennessee Legislature."
In other words, "Don't tread on me."
For a video version of this report, click the play icon above.
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