1-25-10 | Alliance pushes states' rights agenda| Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Vowing to fight federal encroachment on states' rights, a coalition of conservative Utah lawmakers and activists is seeking to set the tone for the 2010 Legislature.

State lawmakers joined Utah's Grassroots Alliance, a coalition of conservative groups from across the state, at an often boisterous rally at the Capitol Monday to announce an ambitious state sovereignty agenda.

Just hours after the opening gavel of the legislative session, Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, highlighted the nearly 20 proposed bills and resolutions designed to limit federal influence in Utah.

"Our end goal is to return to a balanced federal system," he said. "The federal government is bankrupt because it is trying to control every aspect of everyone's life."

Proposed legislation targets issues from federal environmental policy to gun laws, among other issues. Lawmakers also have proposed resolutions on the 10th Amendment, national health care reform and international trade.

Wimmer said it is important that legislators pass bills, not just resolutions, that challenge federal law.

"These bills will directly pit the state against the federal leviathan," he said. "We fully intend and expect that when passed, these bills will be challenged in court."

Despite statewide budget shortfalls, Wimmer said he considers litigation costs an "investment" for the state.

"Federal control of lands in Utah costs us $1 billion alone," he said. "$1 million spent to fight that would be money well spent."

Grassroots organizations, including Utah 9/12 Project and Tea Party groups, have allied with established conservative groups such as the Utah Eagle Forum to focus their legislative efforts, leading to a flood of states' rights proposals.

Grassroots Alliance Chairman Larry Jensen called for Utahns to become politically active and force state and national lawmakers to "walk the talk" on states' rights.

"Most federal leaders are unfit to be leaders of a free people," he said to a round of applause.

Jensen said the coalition has no intention of forming a third party to take on incumbent politicians, but he said it is necessary to "hijack" the Republican Party and return it to its base.

"I think most of us see the idea of a third party as abhorrent," he said. "We're not looking for anything radical here. We are just trying to return the country to its roots."

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said the coalition represented a "great effort" to limit national government across the country.

"I have never seen this many resolutions to rein in federal excess," he said.

Monday's gathering included U.S. Senate hopefuls Tim Bridgewater and Cherilyn Eager, who are vying to unseat Utah Republican Sen. Bob Bennett.

e-mail: jsmith@desnews.com