For Immediate Release: Jan. 14, 2013
Across U.S., states consider nullifying unconstitutional acts
While politicians in Washington D.C. continue to expand federal power far beyond its constitutional limits at a dizzying pace, lawmakers in state capitols across the U.S. will consider bills to stop encroachment and protect the basic rights of their citizens during the 2013 legislative season.
Across America, nearly every state will consider legislation to nullify federal power, dealing with a wide range of political issues.
Tenth Amendment Center executive director Michael Boldin says the sheer number of bills coming up this year surprised him.
“With Mitt losing, we expected a lot of states to look at nullifying the health care act this year, but we’ve seen more than anyone would have expected – and most state legislative sessions are yet to get underway. It’s not just one issue. From guns, to weed, to federal kidnapping, states are stepping up to say, ‘No!'”
The movement crosses party and ideological lines, touching on issues important to both the left and the right. The Kentucky legislature and New York Assembly will consider legalizing medical marijuana, with other states expected to join their efforts.
In Indiana, South Carolina and numerous other states, lawmakers will take up bills nullifying the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Six state legislatures already have bills filed that would prohibit cooperation with any attempts to indefinitely detain people without due process under provisions in the NDAA. Several states, including Wyoming, will consider stepping in to block any federal actions violating the Second Amendment. Florida, Indiana and Missouri will look at legislation prohibiting spying by domestic drones.
“A lot of people want to paint this as some kind of Republican movement to stop Obama. It’s not about party politics. It’s about freedom, liberty and controlling power. A wide coalition from left to right is supporting efforts to oppose indefinite detention in the NDAA. Heck, we expect four more states to consider weed legalization. Not exactly part of the Republican platform.” Boldin said. “It’s simple. Americans are saying, ‘We want to make decisions on issues at the local level. We don’t want mandates and dictates slammed down our throats from D.C. And we will not let the federal government spy on, grope and kidnap people with impunity.'”
To keep up with the crush of legislation, the Tenth Amendment Center has developed a legislative tracking page. You will find legislation organized by issue, with easy to read maps and links to the actual bills.You can access the page at tracking.tenthamendmentcenter.com.
Contact: Mike Maharrey
Communications director
O: 213.935.0553
media@tenthamendmentcenter.com
www.tenthamendmentcenter.com
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The Tenth Amendment Center exists to promote and advance a return to a proper balance of power between federal and State governments envisioned by our founders, prescribed by the Constitution and explicitly declared in the Tenth Amendment. A national think tank based in Los Angeles, the Tenth Amendment Center works to preserve and protect the principle of strictly limited government through information, education, and activism.