Gov Palin Signs Aerospace Bill, Energy and Missile Defense Resolutions

Over the past two days, Governor Palin has signed a number of resolutions and two pieces of legislation. They are:

Legislation:

SB 177: Sport Fish Guide License and Kenai River Management Area bill, which extends sunset for sport fish guide program and addresses harvest data collection (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

SB 125: SB125 “Aerospace Corp bill, which encourages development of the industry in AK as we capitalize on our strategic location on globe” (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

Resolutions:

Tenth Amendment

HJR 27: Alaska is a Sovereign State.

“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” (Schilling, 2009, ¶6).

“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 (Schilling, 2009, ¶7).

Energy

HJR 25: “Classify Hydroelectric Power as Renewable Source” (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

HJR 28: “Oppose Restricting Oil/Gas Development; we urge President to promote US resource development. Pretty simple, Mr. President and Congress: choose” (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

HJR 28, sponsored by Representative Craig Johnson, advises President Obama and Congress against the adoption of any policy or rule, the passage of any legislation and the issuance of any executive order that would restrict energy exploration, development and production in federal or state waters around Alaska, the portion of the outer continental shelf within 200 miles of shore or within the continental United States (Resolutions, 2009, ¶3).

“Alaska’s oil and gas resources can and should be a major part of the implementation of any creditable energy plan for our nation,” Governor Palin said. “The question is simple: Do we want to increase the production of clean and safe energy in America, with the additional jobs that would create here? Or do we want to remain dependent on foreign countries, some of which don’t have our best interests at heart?” (Resolutions, 2009, ¶4)

Foreign Policy, North Korea

HJR 12: Mid-Course Missile Defense System “AK’s system the only operational system defending against long range ballistics [missiles]. This records concerns with threat of North Korea attack and questions military cuts; we must be more than baffled by Fed’s priorities; we must take action“ (Palin, 2009, ¶1).

House Joint Resolution 12, sponsored by Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, urges Congress to support the ground-based mid-course defense system. Alaska is home to the largest ground-based mid-course defense missile shield in North America. Because of its geographical position and proximity to potential targets, Alaska plays a critical role in national security and in the defense of American allies (Resolutions, 2009, ¶1).

“It is critical that we continue to develop the global missile defense network,” Governor Palin said. “The threat from North Korea is real. Now is not the time to be cutting these programs. Alaska’s strategic location and the system in place play a critical role in defending the nation” (Resolutions, 2009, ¶2).

Commentary

Both pieces of legislation continue the pattern of focusing on matters that affect constituent’s daily lives. The aerospace legislation in particular is good for Alaska and ties in well with the missile defense resolutions.

Resolutions are essentially position statements. They do not have the force of law, but many resolutions, later on do become the basis of legislation that is signed into law. If that happens with the resolutions Governor Palin signed, it would be a positive step for Alaska and our nation. We hope that Lt. Governor Parnell (soon to be Governor) and Alaska’s legislature will pass bills that are in congruence with the aforementioned resolutions.

When we read Governor Palin’s Tweets, her release, and the World Net Daily article, we see pure, un-adulterated Reagan Conservatism at work. In her Tweet on domestic energy, Governor Palin says, “Pretty simple, Mr. President and Congress: choose” (Palin, 2009, ¶1), harkening back to President Reagan’s Time of Choosing speech.

Governor Palin’s position on North Korea can best be described as “Peace through Strength” or its antecedent: “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” as exemplified by her 14th cousin — President Theodore Roosevelt.

Alaska joins a growing list of states asserting their Tenth Amendment rights. By doing so, and by Governor Palin signing that resolution, she has executed the principle of a small federal government, empowering state and municipal governments, and public-private partnerships.

Governor Palin signs House Resolutions. (July 22, 2009). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1975

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). “SB 177 Sport Fish guide/harvest data collection legislation” Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2771153482

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). “HJR 25 Hyrdro-electric” Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2782593405

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). Position statement on domestic energy. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2781061731

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). HJR 28 oppose restriction on oil/gas development. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2781033227

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). North Korea. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2779511086

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). HJR 12 — Mid-Course Missile Defense Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2779453090

Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 21). SB 125 Aerospace Corp bill. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2771097957

Schilling, C. (2009, July 21). “THE SARAH CHRONICLES. Palin to feds: Alaska is sovereign state. Constitutional rights reasserted in growing resistance to Washington.” World Net Daily. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104524

Tagged as: command experience, energy, executive experience, missile defense