State Powers

The states are powerful enough to stand up to the federal government when it violates citizens’ rights. Learn how we can better leverage the power of states.

<p>The states are powerful enough to stand up to the federal government when it violates citizens’ rights. Learn how we can better leverage the power of states.</p>

By Diane Cohen and Michael F. Cannon, published by the Cato Institute 

By Samantha Bare, Cronkite News

State governments have a powerful—but often overlooked—weapon against the federal government’s overreach.  With it, the states could have conceivably blocked passage of the Obama Administration’s healthcare law. That power is found in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, and enables states to seek constitutional amendments.
 

By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner

It's bad enough when your town has to worry about high mountain forest fires. It's even worse when the scorched earth left behind gives way to monsoon rains that drive mud and boulders smashing into your municipal water pipeline system. And it's much, much worse still when President Obama's Forest Service won't let you repair the damage, ostensibly because that might disturb the wilderness.

Historic Tombstone takes on the feds over water rights

KNST Tucson's Garret Lewis interviews Nick Dranias on the latest developments in Tombstone, Arizona.

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KVOI Tucson's Bill Buckmaster interviews Nick Dranias on the latest developments in Tombstone, Arizona.

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Phoenix — Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Frank Zapata denied Tombstone, Arizona’s emergency request to restore its Huachuca Mountain municipal water supply. Over nine months ago, the historic town’s 130-year-old water system was destroyed by massive flooding resulting from torrential rains and the destruction of surrounding forests in the Monument Fire. 

"The Town Too Tough to Die" is in a standoff with the federal government — one that jeopardizes their very survival. The Goldwater Institute has joined with the historic community to help them assert their constitutional rights. Fox Business host John Stossel interviews Goldwater CEO Darcy Olsen about this landmark case.

By Ann O'Neill, CNN

Tombstone, Arizona (CNN) -- There's a popular saying in the American West: Whiskey's for drinking, but water's for fighting over. This dusty little city, made famous by the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, has a dilly of a water fight on its hands.

Tombstone, population 1,400, is suing the federal government -- and it is likely to be a landmark legal battle.

Over the years, Tombstone has survived fires and floods and all manner of shiftless varmints. But now "the town too tough to die" worries it's going to run dry.