States’ Rights Meeting Coming Under Attack Right-Wingers Undermining Plans, Idaho Lawmaker Says

Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Jerry Twiggs says right-wing groups are undermining plans for a national meeting of leaders who want states to assume more authority now ceded to the federal government.

The Blackfoot Republican successfully sponsored a resolution during the last legislative session for Idaho to accept an invitation to attend a Conference of the States. But now, he said, the John Birch Society and others contend it might be a precursor to gutting the Constitution.

“This group is in no way, shape or form interested in a constitutional convention,” Twiggs said. “We are not interested in seceding from the union. We are not interested in an armed revolution. We are not part of the Sagebrush Rebellion or any militia organization.”

The meeting will be scrapped unless at least 26 states pass resolutions like Idaho’s. So far, only 14 have accepted, Twiggs said, and opposition is growing.

He said he is surprised by the uproar. “Originally, it almost seemed like a no-brainer,” Twiggs said. “Then, all of the sudden, out of the woodwork came these John Birchers. They’re very vocal and they get media coverage.”

Conference organizers, who include Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, a Republican, and Nebraska Gov. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, face the same opposition, he said.

Twiggs said some confusion about the conference is due to misinformation about what issues will be tackled. He said topics such as abortion, gun control and immigration will not be addressed.

“The issues we are going to be interested in are federal mandates like the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and, in some cases, the Endangered Species Act,” he said. “This will present a uniform front to the federal government and let them know that we’re not going to let them usurp states’ rights.”If the meeting occurs as planned, one representative from each party in the Senate, one from each party in the House and the governor or his representative will attend. The Legislature would cover travel expenses.

But Twiggs admits the future of the Conference of the States looks shaky.

“I’m a little frustrated by this hardcore right. They see shadows behind every sagebrush,” he said. “Maybe this is too rational of an approach for these people because they’re talking revolution.”