2-25-10 | Another states' rights resolution advances | Salt Lake Tribune

Fueling the states' rights push, a joint resolution that aims to take back power from the federal government passed a House committee Wednesday with a 6-2 vote .

SJR6 seeks to limit the powers that the federal government has taken from the states, particularly those not specifically given to Washington, said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, the resolution's sponsor.

"I personally feel that this nation is at risk right now. I don't know when we have had a greater risk of our future, both economically and preserving our liberties and freedoms," Stephenson said. "I know of no more important message we could send to Congress today than the message contained in this resolution."

The non-binding statement, which Stephenson said was penned not by himself but citizens, plays a large role in the states' rights movement that includes groups like the Patrick Henry Caucus, the Utah States' Rights Coalition and Utah's Grassroots Alliance.

"This was written by a group of people that were concerned," said Larry Jensen, chairman of Utah's Grassroots Alliance. "All this resolution is, is just simply, a statement of fact that tells precisely what the relationship between the federal government and the states and the people is supposed to be."

Proponents of the resolution took a slightly different course than others have taken during the legislative session by advocating a strong national government, just not where it exceeds its limits.

"We are very supportive of a strong federal government, we want the federal government to be strong in those powers," said Dalane England, vice president of issues for the Utah Eagle Forum. "Those things that the federal government should do, we want them to do well, but we don't want them to be strong in overstepping those powers."

The issue of timing came up when opponents asked why the stance against big government is coming up now as opposed to the past.

"I find it interesting that this wasn't brought forward in the past five to eight years when the federal government took a lot of powers with the war in Iraq and other things," said Greg Donaldson, a resident. "I find it very interesting with the Democratic majority in the United States legislature that this is brought forward now when it wasn't before."

The bill now heads to the full House for final consideration.