San Antonio Tea Party, TX Friday, August 19th, 2016 Convention of States Project

Agenda Biography/Background The Problem of Federal Overreach The Founder’s Solution – Article V! The Convention of States Project Governor Abbott’s Texas Plan Texas Must Lead Encouragements! Questions & Answers

Biography/Background Married in 1984; researched and agreed to homeschool our children before we married. Used Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) for Legal Protection (Retainer) Founded by Michael Farris Goal: make Homeschooling legal in all 50 States and D.C. The Aftermath of the 2012 Election: Mark Levin’s “The Liberty Amendments” The Convention of States Project Headed by Michael Farris

Are Any of These Things a Problem? If You Don’t Think So, You May Be In The Wrong Place!

Debt, Career Politicians, and the Supreme Court Debt: “The U.S. fiscal gap currently stands at $210 trillion.” - Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Professor of Economics, Boston University, February 2015 Career Politicians: 2010 – 85% of incumbents won in the House of Representatives, 84% of incumbents won in the Senate Supreme Court: 2015 King v. Burwell - Obamacare upheld, 6-3 Texas Dept. of Housing v. Inclusive Communities Project – Affirmative Action in Housing Obergefell v. Hodges – Same-Sex Marriage Supreme Court: 2016 Texas vs. the United States, 4-4, Executive Amnesty Fisher vs. UT (Austin), 4-3, Affirmative Action Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, 5-3, (Texas HB 2, 2013)

Bureaucracy, Regulations, and Red Tape YEAR Congressional Legislation (Bills) Executive Branch Regulations Pages of Federal Regulations ,870 74,937 72,090 79,435 68,598 81,405 81,247 78,961 79,311 79,066 3,943 3,718 3,595 3,830 3,503 3,573 3,807 3,708 3,659 3,541

2013 Legislation v. Regulation

How Can We Fix This?

Just Follow the Constitution

The Convention of States Project Mission: “To urge and empower state legislators to call a Convention of States to propose amendments to the Constitution to curb the abuses of the federal government.” Leadership: Mark Meckler and Michael Farris Texas Governor Greg Abbott (January 2016) Designated by over 80% of the Texas State GOP delegation as a Legislative Priority for 2017 Over 350% increase grassroots support since June 2015 On average, 1,400 petitions per SD, 300 per HD

Texans are Ready to Hear the Solution!

Subject Matter Application 1 Impose Fiscal Restraints on the Federal Government 2 Limit the Power and Jurisdiction of the Federal Government 3 Limit the terms of office for federal officials and for members of Congress Limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that:

Texas Plan and COS Application 1 Fiscal Restraints 2 Limit Power 3 Term Limits II. Balanced BudgetI. Commerce Clause III. Administrative Agencies NOT create Federal Law IV. Admin Agencies NOT preempt State Law V. 2/3 States Majority override SCOTUS VI. Super majority SCOTUS decisions VII. Express Powers Only VIII. Enumerated Power to sue in Federal Court IX.2/3 State Override of Federal Law Not in the Texas Plan, but… Governor Abbott, on at least three very public occasions: TCCRI speech Texas State GOP Keynote Mark Levin Show Named Term Limits FIRST when speaking of possible amendment proposals at a Convention of States V - Allow a two-thirds majority of the States to override a U.S. Supreme Court decision – enumerates nullification power! VI - Require a seven-justice super-majority vote for SCOTUS decisions that invalidate a democratically enacted law VII - Limit the federal government to the powers expressly delegated to it in the Constitution – Put Teeth in the 10 th Amendment VIII - Give state officials the power to sue in federal court when federal officials overstep their bounds – enumerates interposition! IX - Allow a two-thirds majority of the States to override a federal law or regulation – enumerates nullification power! I - Prohibit Congress from regulating activity that occurs wholly within one State – Commerce Clause II - Require Congress to balance its budget (Fiscal Restraint) III - Prohibit administrative agencies—and the unelected bureaucrats that staff them—from creating federal law IV - Prohibit administrative agencies—and the unelected bureaucrats that staff them—from preempting state law The Texas Plan is Governor Abbott’s proposal of nine model subjects to be discussed at the Convention of States. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list!

So, How Do These Get Proposed?

Texas Must Lead! Texas is The Standard Bearer for Liberty in our Nation – Texas Must Lead by Example Social Media questions regarding COS – “Where is Texas?” Texas Leadership Governor Greg Abbott Representative Rick Miller Senator Brian Birdwell

Encouragements! Our Nation’s History and Foundational Documents The Declaration of Independence – the recognition of self-governance as an “unalienable Right”, not granted by men/government, but from “their Creator” The Constitution – Constraint on government, because “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” – James Madison, Federalist #51

Encouragements! Current Experience Divine Providence – Mark Levin’s “Liberty Amendments” and the Convention of States Grassroots enthusiasm and leadership in all 50 states – frustration being focused on a positive solution Eight states have passed since August 2013 The same resolution introduced in 37 states in 2015 Statesmen and Patriots stepping forward everywhere Veteran’s are joining in big numbers, citing their loyalty oath to defend the Constitution

What Can You Do? Sign the Petition at Thank Governor Abbott for his leadership on this issue Encourage your state legislators to support the Convention of States Resolution which incorporates the “Texas Plan” If they supported during the last session, thank them, and encourage them to participate in the COS Caucus ( If they didn’t support, find out why, get them some information, and contact us at Consider stepping up to a leadership role – as a District Captain, or helping with Coalitions, Grassroots, Legislative Liaison, or Media Liaison Tell your friends about Convention of States Provide us contacts for more presentations like this one Come down to Austin during the legislative session! Be relentless, but be courteous/professional

Questions?