Gov. Sarah Palin has signed a joint resolution declaring Alaska's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. The Tenth Amendment reads in part "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."

        To date 36 other states have introduced similar resolutions. These states are declaring that Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Interstate Commerce Clause and the 14^th Amendment deprive the States of their powers reserved under the U.S. Constitution. In effect the Sates are challenging not only the power of Congress but also decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.

        Originalists would agree that going beyond a strict interpretation of the Constitution by court fiat has distorted the balance of power between the Central government and the States of the Union.

        The resolution does not have the force of law, but is a bold and fresh move, and it reads as follows:  

Be it resolved that the Alaska State Legislature hereby claims sovereignty for the state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States.

Be it further resolved that this resolution serves as Notice and Demand to the federal government to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers.

        For more information on the status of the States who are asserting their 10^th Amendment rights visit The Tenth Amendment Center.