TX Gov. Abbott Releases Texas Plan, Endorses Article V Convention Of States

[Draggingtree]

RedState: TX Gov. Abbott Releases Texas Plan, Endorses Article V Convention Of States

By: Ulysses Arn (Diary) | January 8th, 2016 at 06:43 PM

 

Speaking at a public policy meeting in Austin, Texas Friday Gov. Greg Abbott released his “Texas Plan” a 100 page package of 9 potential amendments to the Constitution that would restore liberty and revive the system of checks and balances in our federal government.

 

Abbott’s plan echo’s that of nationally syndicated talk show host and author of the best selling The Liberty Amendments Mark Levin, in that they call on the state legislatures to use Article V of the constitution to call for a convention of states to debate and propose amendments for possible ratification by three-fourths of the states. In order for an Article V convention to be called two-thirds of the state legislatures need to submit applications calling for one.

 

Abbott is the second major political figure in recent weeks to embrace the use of Article V to advance such things as congressional and judicial term limits, a balanced budget amendment, and other measures that would restore the powers of the states and to curtail the power of the federal government. Prior to Abbott

[Draggingtree]

Governor Abbott Unveils Texas Plan, Offers Constitutional Amendments To Restore The Rule Of Law

 

Friday, January 08, 2016 • Austin, Texas

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered the keynote address at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Annual Policy Orientation where he unveiled his Texas Plan to restore the Rule of Law and return the Constitution to its intended purpose. In his plan, Governor Abbott offers nine constitutional amendments to rein in the federal government and restore the balance of power between the States and the United States. The Governor proposes achieving the constitutional amendments through a Convention Of States.

 

To view Governor Abbott's full plan, click here.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiK4N23k6LKAhUBMyYKHb9bAD8QqQIIUzAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgov.texas.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2F21829&usg=AFQjCNGRLZ7UN5mAbcsPanQbXzqJ1_2gLg&bvm=bv.111396085,d.eWE

[Valin]

The Wingnut Plot to Rewrite the Constitution
Marco Rubio wants a Constitutional Convention. So do lefty pundits and right-wing talk-show hosts. Here’s why that’s a terrible idea.
Walter Olson
1/12/16

 

 

In his quest to catch the Road Runner, the Coyote in the old Warner Brothers cartoons would always order supplies from the ACME Corporation, but they never performed as advertised. Either they didn’t work at all, or they blew up in his face.

 

Which brings us to the idea of a so-called Article V convention assembled for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution, an idea enjoying some vogue at both ends of the political spectrum.

 

On the left, a group founded by liberal TV host Cenk Uygur is pushing a convention aimed at overturning the Supreme Court’s hated Citizens United decision and declaring that from now on corporations should stop having rights, or at least not a right to spend money spreading political opinions. Four liberal states—California, Vermont, Illinois, and New Jersey—have signed on to this idea.

 

On the right, the longstanding proposal for a convention to draft a balanced budget amendment has at times come within striking distance of the requisite two-thirds of state legislatures needed to trigger the idea. And for the past few years, talk-show host Mark Levin has been campaigning for a convention with broader conservative goals, an idea that got a boost when Florida Senator Marco Rubio recently endorsed it, citing “Washington’s refusal to place restrictions on itself.”

 

Rubio’s specifics are still sketchy—term limits for members of Congress and Supreme Court justices would be part of it—but Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has now jumped in with a detailed “Texas Plan” of nine constitutional amendments mostly aimed at wresting various powers back from the federal government to the states.

 

Some of these ideas are better than others—Gov. Abbott’s 92-page report (PDF) is rather erudite, and lays out its arguments skillfully even if I do not find all of them sound—but every such scheme to stage an Article V convention should come with a giant ACME brand stenciled on its side. If it doesn’t just sit there doing nothing, it’s apt to blow up on the spot.

 

(Snip)

[Draggingtree]

An Article V Convention- Keep Dreaming Nice Try, But It Isn't Happening

By: davenj1 (Diary) | January 14th, 2016 at 12:52 AM

No amendment to the Constitution was ever the result of a convention called for by state legislatures. All amendments were proposed in Congress, received the required two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress, signed by the President, and referred to the states for approval. The pipe dream of an Article V convention called for by the states is not going to happen.

 

The recent announcement by Texas Governor Greg Abbott for such a convention confined to nine issues- some overlapping- is nice politics devoid of reality. This writer certainly has no problem with these proposals. The scope and power of the federal government needs to be reigned in across the board. But, the amendment process is wasted time.

 

First, some facts. One needs 34 state legislatures to petition Congress to call such a convention. Some legal scholars argue over whether Congress must even call the convention although the wording of Article V seems to indicate that they must do so. There is debate over the specificity of the petitions also.

http://www.redstate.com/diary/davenj1/2016/01/14/article-v-convention-keep-dreaming/

[Draggingtree]

Tennessee Legislature Approves Article V Application

 

By: Ulysses Arn (Diary) | February 4th, 2016 at 09:57 PM | 7

Thursday the Tennessee legislature became the first state in 2016 to approve an Article V application calling for a Convention of States to propose reform amendments to the Constitution that would reign in a run away federal government. Tennessee’s actions come weeks after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled his Texas Plan to convince state legislatures around the country to join in the state based effort |

http://www.redstate.com/diary/ulyssesarn/2016/02/04/tennessee-legislature-approves-article-v-application/

[Draggingtree]

Radio: Debate On Article V, The Call For A Convention Of The States

FEBRUARY 23, 2016 By The Federalist Staff

 

The founders predicted that there would be a day when the federal government abuses its authority. Mike Farris, co-founder of the Convention of the States Project, joined the Federalist Radio Hour to explain how the founders knew we would need structural changes to reign in that abuse of power when that day comes. Also joining the show, and opposing the call for a convention of the states, was Phyllis Schlafly, founder of Eagle Forum.

http://thefederalist.com/2016/02/23/radio-debate-on-article-v-the-call-for-a-convention-of-the-states/