Bill Text: AZ HCM2001 | 2020 | Fifty-fourth Legislature 2nd Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: Urging establishment; federalism task force
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-05-08 - Assigned to Senate RULES Committee [HCM2001 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2020-HCM2001-Engrossed.html
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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session 2020
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HOUSE CONCURRENT MEMORIAL 2001 |
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A CONCURRENT memorial
urging the establishment of a national federalism task force.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
To the directors of the National Council of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments and the American Legislative Exchange Council:
Your memorialist respectfully represents:
Whereas, our unique governing system in the United States of America was designed to federate diverse states and people for vital national concerns, while preserving to the American people the benefits of self‑government – efficient, effective, accountable government – which amplifies their governing voice; and
Whereas, to accomplish this objective, the framers of the Constitution designed a new hybrid form of government that was part national, today called the federal government, and part federal, a federation of the states, with clear divisions in the roles and responsibilities delegated to each (Federalist 39); and
Whereas, the framers marveled at "the accuracy with which the line is drawn between the powers of the general government and those of the particular state governments," observing "that the powers are as minutely enumerated as was possible." (James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention); and
Whereas, a clear division of governing responsibilities was essential to this new form of government to provide "a double security...to the rights of the people," against overreach from either sphere, because "the different governments will control each other." (James Madison, Federalist 51); and
Whereas, Alexander Hamilton admonished that "this balance between the national and state governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people." (New York Ratifying Convention, 1788); and
Whereas, by all accounts, there is no clearly discernible division of roles and responsibilities between the general government and the states today. The governing partnership is more like two football teams lining up on the field for a healthy competition, only to look down and discover there are no lines on the field; and
Whereas, many Americans feel frustrated that the government is not efficient, effective or accountable. They sense something wrong with our governing system and increasingly disengage from government because they feel their voices do not matter anymore; and
Whereas, United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy warned of the consequences of allowing our system to atrophy: "The fragmentation of power produced by the structure of our Government is central to liberty, and when we destroy it, we place liberty at peril." (National Federal of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 567 U.S. 519 (2012), dissenting opinion); and
Whereas, divisions, limits and balance in the various governing roles and responsibilities and the self-governing engagement of the people are essential to preserving our system. This singular system is the solution to securing the rights of the people to pursue their unique visions of happiness over such an expansive and diverse nation; and
Whereas, in his farewell address, George Washington admonished all constitutionally oath-bound officers (United States Constitution, Article VI) that for us "to preserve [this system of reciprocal checks] must be as important as to institute them."
Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
1. That the directors of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments and the American Legislative Exchange Council coordinate to establish a National Federalism Task Force for the purposes of convening a series of Federalism Summits to consider and concert plans to restore and maintain clearly discernible divisions in the roles and responsibilities of the national government and the states for the benefit and engagement of the American people.
2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the directors of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments and the American Legislative Exchange Council and to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairpersons of the federalism or federal-state relations committees of each state legislature.
