STATEHOUSE-Rep. Dave Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) announced today that he has authored House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 11, in an effort to declare state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. HCR 11 states that the Indiana General Assembly claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and reasserts the principle that federal power is strictly limited to specific areas detailed in the Constitution and that all other government authority rests with the states. The resolution acts as a reminder to the federal government of the balance of powers mandated by the Constitution. "The framers of the Constitution believed in a balance of state and federal power," said Frizzell. "The responsibilities of the federal government are clearly outlined in the United States Constitution, and all other responsibilities fall to the states." Under the Tenth Amendment, only the powers specifically outlined in the Constitution belong to the federal government. All other responsibilities, including things like healthcare, fall to the states. However, many federal mandates and proposals violate the Tenth Amendment and infringe upon Indiana's state rights. "HCR 11 clearly arises from the belief that the balance of power has tilted too far and too long in the direction of federal government and it is time to restore that balance," said Rep. Frizzell. "We need to remind Washington D.C. that Indiana believes in true state sovereignty." -30- Rep. Frizzell can be reached by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by e-mail at h93@in.gov. |
