Idaho lawmakers are asking Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to shift the balance of power back toward the 50 states. The proposed amendment would strengthen the 10th Amendment, which preserves states’ rights, and weaken the Constitution’s Interstate Commerce Clause, which allows the federal government to regulate business among states. The resolution approved by the Idaho Senate Monday is supported by Gov. Butch Otter and modeled after a similar plan crafted by Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
“We’ve got lots of problems, and this is one of the best steps that we can take,” said Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth. “We as a state and a people have been given certain powers, and we have allowed those powers to become eroded and overrun by an intrusive federal government.” Pearce said changing the Constitution could provide a long-term fix that chokes Idaho’s economy. “We don’t see Washington, D.C., fixing our economic situation,” he said.
“I hope it sends a strong message over and over again that we don’t want the federal government in our lives,” said Sen. Melinda Smyser, R-Parma. She said the resolution could spur an uprising from individuals against federal intrusion.
Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, D-Boise, said this resolution is the 14th piece of legislation from Idaho lawmakers telling the federal government to stay out of Idaho’s business. She said all of them could have a negative impact on the state. “At best, these 14 pieces of legislation do nothing,” she said. “At worst, they set us up for lawsuits.” Kelly said money for lawsuits would drain state resources for other programs like education and health services.
“This will not take us to court in any place or any time,” Pearce responded to Kelly.
Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d’Alene, said the resolution headed to Congress isn’t a wasted effort, but rather part of an important discussion. “We are being governed to death,” he said. “We must take every effort possible to tell the federal government to retreat from what they are doing.” Hammond said that federal bureaucracy and oversight drives up the cost of education and other federal programs.
Read IdahoReporter.com’s story on the House approval of the resolution here. The text of the resolution is available here.
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