State Sovereignty

The 10th Amendment can't be stated enough. With our national government attempting to take over just about every facet of our lives, it is important to know the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The 10th Amendment simply states:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

It defines the total scope of federal power as being enumerated and that which has been delegated by the people to the federal government in the Constitution of the United States and no more. Over the last century the federal government has clearly operated beyond those defined boundaries. And, the current president is taking usurping the Constitution to new heights.

At the end of March 2010 the Florida legislature is at the half-way point of the 2010 session. Several legislative bills that are of great importance to state sovereignty are working their way through the Florida House of Representatives (HM19 – Limited Government Memorial, HB21 – Firearms Freedom Act, and HJR37 – Health Care Services Freedom Act) and the Florida Senate (S096– Limited Government Memorial, S098– Firearms Freedom Act, and S072 – Health Care Services Freedom Act).

There is some good news and bad news.

Bad News: On Thursday March 18 2010 Representative Carl Domino of Jupiter (District 83) effectively killed HB21 in his Civil Justice and Court Policy Committee by never scheduling it on the committee's agenda. This bill had 45 sponsors and co-sponsors in the house and half of his own committee that had already co-sponsored HB21.. Yet, this one representative who chairs this committee decided that he 'knows better' than at least 45 other representatives. All indications are that he made the decision to kill HB21 on his own despite its widespread support from both legislators and the people of Florida. Unfortunately, Rep Domino does not appear to be running for any offices in November. But, if you know anyone in his district, please have them give him an earful (Tallahassee - 850-488-0322, District - 561-625-5176, carl.domino@myfloridahouse.gov).

The corresponding senate bill (S098) is slated to be heard in the Criminal Justice Committee meeting on Friday March 26 2010. Unfortunately, even if they vote it out of committee the Florida Firearms Freedom Act will not see a full vote because of Rep Domino.

Bad News: On Tuesday March 23 2010 Representative Dave Murzin of Pensacola (District 2) effectively killed HM19 in his Economic Development and Community Affairs Policy Council by never scheduling it on his committee's agenda. This memorial had 61 sponsors and co-sponsors and 10 of his committee members that had already co-sponsored HM19. It is possible that there was pressure from house leadership, but again it appears that one representative who chairs a committee has decided that he 'knows better' than at least 60 other representatives. In this case though Rep Murzin is running for a state senate position in November against Representative Greg Evers (District 1). So, if you know anyone in his district, please have them give let Murzin know that the voters will be sending him back home to work in November (Tallahassee - 850-488-8278, District - 850-494-7330, dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov).

The corresponding senate bill (S096) successfully made it through the Judiciary Committee and is now in the Rules Committee. Unfortunately, this bill has the same fate as the Firearms Freedom Act. It won't see a full vote because of Rep Murzin.

Good News (finally!): On Monday March 22 2010 Representative Nick Thompson chaired the Health Care Regulation Policy Committee in which HJR37 was on the agenda. After about an hour of discussion and public input, the conservatives who dominate this committee voted to approve it 10-3.

The next committee to hear this bill will be the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, which is chaired by Representative Bill Snyder of Stuart (District 82). Rep Snyder is already a co-sponsor of HJR37 along with most members of this committee. So, HJR37 should pass this committee. But, just in case...please give Rep Snyder a call (Tallahassee - 850-488-8832, District - 772-221-4904, william.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov, legislative aide Jody DavisBailey). Let him know that it is imperative that the Florida House of Representatives pass HJR37.

The corresponding senate bill (S072) has already passed the Health Regulation and Judiciary Committees. It is now in the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee where it should not have any problems passing because 4 of the 6 members have already voted in favor of S072. Nevertheless, please call chairman Durrell Peaden of Pensacola (District 2) (Tallahassee -  850-487-5000, District - 850-689-0556, peaden.durrell@flsenate.gov, legislative aide Roger Robinson) to let him know that it is imperative that the Florida Senate pass S072).

Senator Carey Baker (District 20) who is the senate sponsor of all three bills has done a magnificent job at guiding these bills through the Florida Senate. He has been on top of the committees that are handling these bills. Except for a couple of minor delays, each of these bills has been approved at all committee stops so far. We can't say that about the house side though. It is very unfortunate for Florida's role in promoting state sovereignty that the sponsors of HM19 and HB21 could not successfully navigate their legislation through the house committees, even though these bills have a tremendous amount of support behind them.

OK, so of the three bills only one of them is still really in play, the Florida Health Care Services Freedom Act. We know how this has to play out. Since this is a ballot initiative that will ultimately allow Florida voters decide on adding this legislation to the Florida Constitution, it must pass with 24 of 40 senate votes and 72 of 120 house votes. So far it has 12 co-sponsors and committee votes on the senate side and 57 co-sponsors and committee votes on the house side. There is still more work to do, but it must pass the current pending committees first (see above).