States’ Rights Panel Oks Resolution For States’ Convention

After sailing through the state Senate last week, a proposed “constitutional defense council” drew criticism from both ends of the political spectrum Tuesday.

The proposal would send the governor and four legislators to a planned Conference of the States this year. The purpose: Prepare an “action plan” to strengthen state sovereignty apart from the federal government.

The Senate passed the proposal unanimously Thursday.

On a split vote, the House State Affairs Committee agreed Tuesday to send the proposal to the full House for debate.

House Minority Leader Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint, was skeptical that anything meaningful would come of it.

“It’s kind of like a guy with no teeth trying to eat an apple - you’re not getting much done,” he said.

On the other end of the political spectrum, John Birch Society coordinator Dale Pearce said the proposal is not too weak but too strong. Pearce said he fears the conference is an attempt to toy with the U.S. Constitution.

“We don’t see any limitations on this,” he said, holding the Senate resolution. “They can do anything in our name that they want to.”

Despite a clause saying any proposal would have to be ratified by the state Legislature, Pearce said he worries that wouldn’t happen.

“All of the elements are firmly in place for historic tragedy beyond imagination,” he warned the committee.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jerry Twiggs, R-Blackfoot, said he thinks Pearce and another right-wing opponent of the bill are seeing phantoms.

“I’ve heard more ghosts today than I have in 61 Halloweens,” he said. “This is a non-legal entity.”