House of Representatives
State of Tennessee
State of Tennessee
Contact: Debra Maggart (615) 207-5424
Susan Lynn (615) 596-2363
rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov
rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov
Susan Lynn (615) 596-2363
rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov
rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Representatives Ask State Attorney General to intervene in federal healthcare legislation
(December 21, 2009, NASHVILLE) -- On Monday, State Representatives Susan Lynn (R-Lebanon) and Debra Young Maggart (R-Hendersonville) asked Tennessee State Attorney General Robert Cooper to prepare to take the appropriate legal action against the federal government in the event HR 3200, the controversial federal healthcare reform legislation, passes into law. The legislators requested this action in order to grant Tennessee relief from the unfunded mandate contained in the bill that Tennessee complies with the expansion of the federal Medicaid program.
The letter notes that under the bill Tennessee would be forced to expand the state’s Medicaid program potentially costing the citizens of the state $1.4 billion dollars in additional state taxpayer funds annually.
“Such an increase would place a great burden on the citizens of this state. It is clear by the wording of the legislation itself that not every state would face a similar and equal burden,” stated Rep. Debra Maggart.
Lynn explained that, “We see this as a violation of equal protection of the law, an affront to our sovereignty, and as a breach of the U.S. Constitution.”
Lynn and Maggart noted that the passage of this bill is imminent so it is important that the AG prepare now to take immediate action, and they referenced Governor Bredesen’s recent comment that “we can’t print money.” The great issue for the states is that states are not allowed to borrow money for operations expenses. “Obviously, this is something that many in Washington just don’t understand,” stated Lynn.
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6 comments:
Thank you, ladies. We need to do this over and over and over again. Maybe if we take back our state we can take back our nation.
Go get'em, we're counting on you!
Excellent work!
I'd like to introduce two words to the political dialogue in the Tennessee state legislature that we really need in these dark times; 'Interposition' and 'Nullification.' Two words that defined basic protections built in to the original idea behind the concept of "separation of powers."
It wasn't just the branches of the general government among which power was to be divided. The states (which delegated to the federal government it's enumerated powers) have an equal say in what is, and is not, constitutional.
Tennessee should interpose itself between it citizens, and a hostile, tyrannical national government, in order to protect their liberties.
Further, She should exercise the right of a sovereign state to nullify this [and any other] federal law that the state legislature deems unconstitutional. Think of concurrent review, and the principles of '98 (A.K.A. the Kentucky & Virginia resolutions of 1798).
Give me a state legislature and governor who have the courage, and pride of place, to stick their thumb in the face of the national government, and remind the federals where their true place in this Constitutional Republic lies.
We don't need to wait for a Supreme Court challenge that may or may not happen [or go our way].
Besides even if the well-educated, but apparently illiterate, 'men in black' somehow rule that this law (like campaign finance reform, or the "patriot" act) passes constitutional muster...wouldn't it feel good to paraphrase another great Tennessean:
"The Justices have given us their opinion, now let them enforce it."
You think I'm over the top with my opinion? I would have thought so too had I heard these thoughts expressed just 10 years ago. But I'm a father now, and want nothing more than a free nation in which my children can grow up, unencumbered by the crushing weight of debt under which we find ourselves...No matter what size, or form that nation may take.
God Bless You for the work that you are doing and have a Merry Christmas!
Thanks you for standing up for Tennessee's state rights as guaranteed by the 10th amendment. It is about time that the states stand up to the federal government and put the power back to where it belongs.
It is time for Tennessee to opt out of this and any other unconstitutional federal mandate -- even if it means civil disobedience!
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