Utah Legislature: States’ rights resolutions pass in Senate

SALT LAKE CITY — Two resolutions asserting states' rights over the federal government received final Senate approval Wednesday, despite concern there was too much focus on the issue.

"I think enough's enough. I think saying it once is as good as saying it 50 times, and this is saying it too much," Senate Minority Whip Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, said during the debate on SJR6.

Romero said the multiple resolutions, among more than a dozen bills critical of federal authority, are "poking in the eye of the federal government, so I would hope we are through."

But the sponsor of SJR6, Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said his resolution is more comprehensive than a similar statement against the federal government also sent to the House Wednesday.

"It notes that people are superior to government and remain the master over it," Stephenson said. He did, however, make an amendment to make it clear any dissent had to be legal.

"I do not want any resolution of this nature to give support for anarchy or disobeying the laws of the land," Stephenson said. "Anarchy is not supported. Neither is revolution."

Sen. John Greiner, R-Ogden, a police chief, had pointed out that without the change, the resolution would "allow people to say, 'I really don't need to deal with you, Mr. Law Enforcement.' "

Stephenson said he drafted the resolution at the request of a coalition of groups, including the 9/12 Project and members of the Tea Party movement.

"In my lifetime, there has never been a time when states' rights have been more in peril," he said. The resolution, he said, "asks the Congress to respect those rights."

SJR6 was approved 23-5.

The Senate also passed SCR3 Wednesday by the same margin. That resolution was debated on the floor Tuesday. Unlike Stephenson's resolution, it will also go to Gov. Gary Herbert for action if it is approved by the House.

The governor "has not take a position on either of the measures, and will fully analyze SCR3 prior to taking any action, but conceptually supports the intent of the resolutions," said his spokeswoman Angie Welling.

The resolutions may be read online at le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SJR006.htm and le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SCR003.htm.

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