Feb
17
Written by:
Brian
2/17/2010 6:20 AM
Posted on Sun, Feb. 14, 2010
Kansas Senate approves resolution on states’ rights
TOPEKA | Legislation that gives Washington, D.C., a tongue-lashing was approved Thursday by the Kansas Senate.
The resolution calls on the federal government to “cease and desist” from giving states onerous mandates. If it is passed by the House, the resolution will be sent to President Barack Obama and other federal leaders.
It demands that Washington repeal existing mandates and respect Kansas’ sovereignty under the 10th Amendment, which reserves for the states any rights not delegated to the federal government.
Supporters note that while the resolution can’t force Washington to do anything, it sends a message for Kansans upset with health care reform, gun control, abortion rights and immigration policy.
“It … speaks loudly for the freedom of the citizens of the state of Kansas,” said Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, a Shawnee Republican and the main sponsor of the resolution.
Seven of the 40 members of the Senate voted against the resolution. One of them, Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City, Kan., Democrat, called it “sort of sad” and noted that the Senate had pledged allegiance to the U.S. flag just minutes before the vote.
“I’ve been unhappy with the federal government,” Haley said, “but not to the point of secession or sedition.”
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