An Update on the Utah Nullification Project
On Independence Day weekend just a couple months ago, I was reading Tom Woods’ new book Nullification: How to Resist Federal Tyranny in the 21st Century. As I was reading through the excellent book, I had a realization: if the subject matter was to have any impact on our current political landscape, it needs to [...]
Utah Governor Signs Law Nullifying Real ID
In 2005, the Republican-controlled Congress passed the “Real-ID Act” – which created national standards for driver’s license and identification cards. Opponents across the political spectrum have been resisting it for various reasons – it’s a privacy risk, is yet another unfunded mandate, and most importantly, the exercise of such federal power is not authorized by [...]
Utah Governor signs eminent domain to seize federal land
An effort seen as fundamental to funding of public education was taken to the next level by Gov. Gary Herbert. Saturday he signed the legislation authorizing Utah to use eminent domain to seize federal lands. In an update the Wall Street Journal has written a solid article on the action which sets the pace for [...]
Utah Governor Signs Health Care Freedom Act
Governor Gary Herbert has made Utah the third state to pass the “Health Care Freedom Act” into law. House Bill 67 (HB67) was introduced by Rep. Carl Wimmer and passed the House and Senate by votes of 53-20 and 22-7, respectively. The bill “prohibits a state agency or department from implementing federal health care reform [...]
Comments on 10th Amendment legislation miss the point
Yesterday there was an article in the Desert News about this year’s legislative session, Carl Wimmer, and the Patrick Henry Caucus has some fair insights. There is even a comment by the House Minority Assistant Whip (can these titles of nobility get any more stretched?) Carol Moss (D – Holladay) that was right on the [...]
Firearms Freedom Spreading
The Tenth Amendment movement sweeping across the nation has made its way to the Beehive State. The Utah-Made Firearm Act states that all firearms, firearm accessories, and “ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in the state to be used or sold within the state [of Utah] is not subject to federal law or federal [...]
State Sovereignty Resolution heads to Governor’s Desk
Sen. Howard Stephenson introduced the State Sovereignty and Tenth Amendment Resolution, SJR-6, on January 12th. It was created in the spring of 2009 by citizens for citizens. The Utah 9.12 States’ Rights Coalition, with the guidance of Larry Jensen (Utah Grassroots Alliance Coordinator), Chris Strause and many others, formed the message. After looking for someone [...]
Utah firearms freedom act signed into law
Sen. Margaret Dayton (R-Orem) introduced SB-11, Utah State-Made Firearms Protection Act on January 25th, 2010. By February 16th the legislative debates were over and the bill was passed by both houses and sent to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature. After 10 days of public debate, with both sides of the issue encouraging action Gov. [...]
Utah Legislators Call for Fiscal Federalism
Tea partiers take note: at the forefront of any effort to reduce the size of the federal government should be the devolvement of federal programs to the states. Achieving this may seem like mission impossible given the states’ addiction to federal money. However, there are signs that the idea of returning the relationship between the [...]
Another Nail in the Coffin: Utah Considers bill to Reject Real ID
Introduced in the Utah Legislature is House Bill 234 (HB234), which if passed, would prohibit the state from “participating in the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005.” Real ID created national standards for driver’s license and identification cards and opponents have been resisting it for various reasons – it’s a privacy risk, forces [...]
Utah Senate Passes Firearms Freedom Act
Today, on its 3rd reading, the Utah Senate passed SB11, the Firearms Freedom Act, by a vote of 19-10. The bill states: A personal firearm, a firearm action or receiver, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in the state to be used or sold within the state is not subject [...]
The Voice of the People of Utah
SJR-6; State Sovereignty and Tenth Amendment is set to be introduced by Sen. Howard Stephenson (R-SD11). This is one of several resolutions referencing states’ rights yet this is directly from the citizens. Sen. Stephenson worked with the Utah 9.12 States’ Rights Coalition. Members of the coalition crafted the original draft of the resolution. According to Larry [...]
Utah HB67: Health Care Nullification
Utah State Representative Carl Wimmer has introduced House Bill 67 (HB67), which, if passed, would require the state “to opt out of federal reform when the state determines that opting out is in the best interest of the citizens of the state.” 20-25 states are expected to consider similar legislation in the 2010 legislative session. [...]
Standing up for the 2nd, 9th and 10th in Utah
Sen. Margaret Dayton (R – Orem) is the sponsor of S.B. 11, Utah-State Made Firearms Protection Act. In a recent email she stated, “My Firearms Freedom Act passed out of Interim Committee in Nov – and I anticipate that it will go directly to the floor when the Legislature convenes in January. I am pleased [...]
Utah to Consider States’ Rights Legislation
The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that which has been delegated by the people to the federal government, and also that which is “necessary and proper” to advancing those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. The rest is to be handled by the state governments, [...]
Utah to Feds: Hands off our guns!
According to a report by ABC4 in Salt Lake City, UT State Senator Margaret Dayton has prepared a Firearms Freedom Act (FFA) to be introduced in when the 2010 legislation starts in January. As previously reported here, while the FFA’s title focuses on federal gun regulations, it has far more to do with the 10th [...]
