From the February 2010 Idaho Observer:

Obama takes giant leap to eliminate state sovereignty

Following up on his January 11, 2010 Executive Order to form a “Council of Governors” as “required by the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act,” (see The I.O. 1-19-10), the 10 governors (one of whom is not even a State governor) selected by Obama include:

James Douglas (R-VT); Chris Gregoire (D-WA); Brad Henry (D-OK); Jay Nixon (D-MO); Martin O’Malley (D-MD); Janice Brewer (R-AZ); Bob McDonnell (R-VA); Michael Rounds (R-SD); Beverly Perdue (D-NC) and Luis G. Fortuno (R-Puerto Rico).

The selection of these governors is interesting. Of the seven states that have passed state sovereignty bills -Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee - two are represented on this list. Oklahoma, a leader in this movement, stated it will “serve as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of [its] constitutionally delegated powers,” and passed the law despite the governor’s veto. As a result Obama has targeted Oklahoma with the possibility of withholding federal funds.

Another interesting aspect of these selections is that many of these governors are currently very unpopular in their states. Citizens are calling for the impeachment of Washington Governor Gregoire who pushed for “climate change, cap and trade” legislation last March. State Senator Randy Brogdon (R-OK) is running against Governor Henry on a pro-state sovereignty ticket stating “I think it’s time we have a governor who believes in right and wrong, not just right and left.” Ten Vermonters are running for state office this year on a secessionist basis; Governor Nixon authorized the infamous MIAC report last March; and Arizona is in the completion process of its Hoover Dam Highway and is a gateway state to Mexico, the result of NAFTA. In March 2009 Governor Brewer asked the Pentagon for 250 additional Guard troops because of the negative effect of the illegal drug trade and illegal immigration, but the Pentagon replied that the decision hinged on a larger national border strategy still in development. (AP 4-25-09).

The National Governors Association is set to convene its 2010 winter meeting in Washington D.C. February 20-22. Governors will meet “at the White House for meetings with the President and members of his Cabinet regarding many of the critical issues topping the legislative agenda during the current Congress,” a news release from NGA.org announced February 8.

States’ roles in health care reform will be the key topic on the governors’ agenda, with Vermont Governor Douglas taking a leading role in pushing Obama healthcare reform. The future of the nation’s surface transportation policy and finance system; the state-federal partnership under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; reshaping public health and preparedness for the 21st century; and advancing a green economy and homeland security will also be discussed.

Governors will be joined by the premiers of Canada for a special session, “Common Border, Common Ground,” focused on common challenges, innovative policy solutions and issues related to trade, border security, energy and the environment.