April 11, 12 & 14: Last Three Days of 2011 Session
Georgia Legislators Seek to Protect State’s Constitutional Rights
“The General Assembly considers it a duty of the sovereign State of Georgia to protect for the state and its people the powers reserved to them under the Tenth Amendment. If the federal government should take or threaten any action to penalize or otherwise act against the interests of the state and its people because of any delay authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section, it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to promptly and vigorously litigate in opposition to such federal action on the basis of any applicable Tenth Amendment grounds and on any other relevant and applicable legal grounds.” – S.B. 9
On the morning of March 7, 2011 a release by the Senate Press Office quoted Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers as follows: “The federal government has repeatedly overstepped its bounds and took powers not provided to it by the Constitution. Today, we’re sending a message to Washington by designating 10th Amendment Day in the Georgia State Senate.” That release listed the following three constitutional rights bills the Senate would consider that day.
S.B. 9 introduced by Senator Mitch Seabaugh January 25th passed the Senate on March 7th, “10th Amendment Day.” If it passes the House, the governor could delay implementation of federal “cap and trade” energy plans until he has proof the plans are in the best interest of Georgians.
Also quoted was Seabaugh’s explanation of S.B. 9: “We cannot allow the federal government to force a one-size fits all system when it comes to mandating programs that will significantly and negatively affect the citizens of Georgia … [S]pecial interests groups stand to make a lot of money from a cap and trade system. We must remain focused on what is best for Georgians through sound science, responsible and open government that is cultivated at the state level.”
ACTION – Support. Contact House Natural Resources & Environment Representatives Lynn Smith, Ch., 404 656-7149; Nix, V-Ch., 404 656-0177; Hanner, Sec., 404 656-7859; Anderson, 404 656-0298; Buckner, 404 656-0116; Coleman, 404 656-9210; Drenner, 404 656-0202; Dutton, 404 656-0188; England, 404 463-2245; Fullerton,404 656-0126; Gardner, 404 656-0265; Geisinger, 404 656-0254; Harden, 404 656-0188; Holmes, 404 656-0177; Lane, 404 656-5087; Long, 404 656-0325; Manning, 404 656-7857; McCall, 404 656-5115; McKillip, 404 656-0177; Meadows, 404 656-5141; Morris, 404 656-5099; Riley, 404 656-0188; Kip Smith, 404 656-0213; Richard Smith, 404 656-6831; Stuckey Benfield, 404 656-7859; Tankersley, 404 656-0287; Thomas, 404 656-0220; and Wilkinson, 404 463-8143.
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Note from the Admin: Due to extenuating circumstances in the last week, I was not able to post the newsletter on time. My apologies for any inconvenience.