Utah Legislature: Rep. Rob Bishop talks states' rights with Utah Senate

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, preached federalism to a supportive audience Monday — the state Senate.

The former history teacher said giving states more control is not only the solution to many of the country's current problems, "it is the salvation of our country in the future."

He said if Congress approves health care legislation, Utah's efforts in that area would come to a halt. "We need to be allowing states to take the first steps," Bishop said.

The congressman also said he hopes to reverse proposed cuts to the nation's space program that also impact defense. Those cuts may amount to 2,000 lost jobs in Utah and 7,000 nationwide, he said.

"We are making a major mistake if we don't recognize our leadership in those areas is essential for the country," Bishop said.

ATK Space Systems announced last week another 420 workers had been laid off from its facilities in Clearfield, Promontory and Magna.

The phase-out of the space shuttle and the Minuteman III ballistic missile program also resulted in 550 workers in Utah being laid off last October.

Senate Majority Assistant Whip Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, said yet another round of layoffs is planned in May. "This is very concerning, not only for the citizens that live in our district, but for the nation as a whole," Knudson told the congressman.

In the state House, Bishop reiterated his commitment to battling for states' rights.

"I'm working to come up with ways to empower states," Bishop said. "The founders knew the problems we'd be facing this day and had a solution for it: federalism."

Bishop said the counterbalancing forces that keep federal and state rights separated has eroded over time, especially in the last half-century, and he focused on educating lawmakers about the backslide and reviewing programs that are duplicated at both the state and federal levels.

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