State Sovereignty

Indiana has gotten on the state's soverignty band wagon.

It is about time!

From State Senator Travis Holdman:

"Indiana Senate approves resolution urging president, federal government to recognize state sovereignty

STATEHOUSE (April 13, 2009) - A resolution co-authored by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) urging the federal government to end all state mandates beyond the scope of powers outlined by the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was approved by the Indiana Senate recently.

Holdman's resolution received bipartisan support in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation, with four Democrats and four Republicans voting unanimously for passage.

"Many federal mandates are directly in violation of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution and the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress cannot take over the legislative and regulatory processes of the states." Holdman said. "This is not a new issue. Each year, more federal control is assumed over key public policy concerns by funding provisions with strings attached. In areas of education, road funding, agriculture, and a host of others where the state and the people have sole authority to act, the federal system has taken away our rights of self rule."

Sen. Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) noted in committee "...when the federal government wants to get involved in something, it holds states hostage with money."

Holdman cited words from James Madison, "the father of the constitution."

"Madison wrote that powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined while those remaining in the state governments are numerous and indefinite," Holdman said. "Federal government powers are designed for such national issues as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to states cover everyday issues concerning the lives, liberties and properties of people." "