GRENDELL, FABER TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:
RESPECT THE 10TH AMENDMENT AND STATES’ SOVEREIGNTY
COLUMBUS – State Senators Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland) and Keith Faber (R-Celina) recently introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which would urge the federal government to respect the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution and adhere only to the rights and responsibilities delegated by the states to the federal government.
The 10th Amendment reads: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Senator Grendell approached Senator Faber to co-sponsor this resolution because Senator Grendell knew Senator Faber shared his belief of state sovereignty.
Quoting President Madison, Senator Grendell stated that the separation of the two spheres of government is one of the constitution’s structural protections of liberty.
Senator Grendell noted that the US Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the Constitution of the United States establishes a system of dual sovereignty that retains the “inviolable sovereignty” by the states.
“We want to send a message to federal agencies and the Congress that through mandates, spending and costly regulations, they are testing their authority and significantly burdening state governments and Ohio taxpayers in the process,” Grendell said.
Faber, who has made reducing government red tape a top priority as Ohio seeks to improve its climate for business and create more job opportunities, notes that in many cases, Ohio’s hands are tied by overzealous federal agencies.
“We spent an entire summer investigating what regulations are making it difficult to do business in Ohio and while we have found that there are some areas where we can improve customer service on the state level, many of the problems stem from mandates and regulations handed down by the federal government,” Faber said. “I wish that instead of always looking at more spending to help states, our federal government would look to easing some of the red tape that drives up costs and hinders economic recovery.”
Similar resolutions have been introduced in other states, including New Hampshire, Arizona, Michigan and Missouri. However, it is important to note that the version sponsored by Senators Grendell and Faber does not threaten secession; it only seeks to reaffirm Ohio’s sovereignty at a time when the federal government is rapidly expanding.
SCR 13 was introduced last week and will soon be referred to a Senate standing committee for further review.
