Anti-Commandeering: James Madison’s Advice Put into Practice
To stop federal acts, James Madison recommended a “refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union.” Over 170 years of supreme court precedent supports this strategy too.
The Limits of Coercing States with Federal Funding Threats
Can the federal government just withhold all money to get state and local governments to do things? The short answer is no.
Texas Committee Passes Bill to Review and Reject Unconstitutional Federal Acts
AUSTIN, Texas (May 7, 2017) – On Thursday, a Texas House committee passed a bill that would create a mechanism to review federal laws and end state cooperation with enforcement of those determined to violate the U.S. Constitution. This process would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws and acts in the Lone…
Maine Governor Vetoes Bill to Require Legislative Review of Federal Regulations
AUGUSTA, Maine (April 28, 2017) – Last week, Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a bill that would have required the legislature to review state regulations adopted to facilitate federal acts. Passage would have opened the door to reject federal mandates. A coalition of three Democrat representatives introduced House Bill 23 (LD23) on Jan. 10. The legislation…
California Assembly Committee Passes Bill to Ban Resources for Federal Marijuana Enforcement
SACRAMENTO (Apr. 18, 2017) – Today, an important California Assembly Committee passed a bill to withdraw state resources from federal marijuana prohibition enforcement. Introduced by Asm. Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Assembly Bill 1578 (AB1578) would ban the use of “agency money, facilities, property, equipment, or personnel to assist a federal agency to investigate, detain, detect, report, or arrest…
Texas Bill to End State Expenditures on Enforcement of Some Federal Acts Takes First Step Forward
AUSTIN, Texas (April 10, 2017) – A Texas bill to prohibit state expenditures on enforcement of any federal action not authorized by state law has received a committee assignment. This legislation would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws in the Lone Star State. Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) introduced House Bill 2808 (HB2808)…
Signed by the Governor: Arizona Free Speech in Medicine Act Sets Stage to Nullify FDA Law
PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 24, 2017) – Earlier this week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill into law that allows pharmaceutical companies to talk to healthcare providers about alternative uses for approved drugs despite FDA prohibition of such communication. The law sets the stage to nullify the federal law in effect. Rep. Phil Lovas (R-Peoria)…
Texas Bill Would Create Process to Review and Reject Unconstitutional Federal Acts
AUSTIN, Texas (March 14, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Texas Senate would create a mechanism to review federal laws and end state cooperation with enforcement of those determined to violate the U.S. Constitution. This process would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws and acts in the Lone Star State. Sen.…
Texas Bill Would End State Expenditures on Enforcement of Some Federal Acts
AUSTIN, Texas (March 9, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Texas House would prohibit state expenditures on enforcement of any federal action not authorized by state law. This legislation would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws in the Lone Star State. Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Spring) introduced House Bill 2808 (HB2808) on…
Arizona House Passes Bill Setting the Stage to Reject Federal Acts
"We are not a political subdivision of the federal government," said Rep. Eddie Farnsworth in support of the bill.