Puget Sound Patriots

SUPPORT SJM 8016 CONVENTION OF STATES
By Bradley A. Hofmann (KPTP Communications Chair)
January 2016

UPDATE 1 (01/18/2016):

According to the Convention of States Washington Facebook Page, the Senate hearing date has been moved to Tuesday January 26th at 10:00am.  National leader Michael Farris will be testifying!  For more information of the hearing CLICK HERE.

Tuesday January 26, 2016
10:00am – 2:00pm
Cherberg Building
304 15th Ave
Olympia, WA 98501

In other news, a House companion has been filed!!!  Submit comments and follow H.J.M. 4013, sponsored by representatives Manweller (R-13th), Young (R-26th), Vick (R-18th), Griffey (R-35th), Pike (R-18th), Haler (R-8th), Harris (R-17th), and Wilson (R-17th) for scheduled hearing dates.

Opinion Editorials Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributing authors may or may not reflect the official positions of the Kitsap Patriots Tea Party.  We believe in free, responsible speech and welcome hearing the differing viewpoints of our members.

I previously explained and advocated for a Convention of States in my June 2015 article.  For the first time, an application for a Article V Convention of States has been filed in the Washington State legislature!!!  State Senator Ann Rivers (R-18th) filed SJM 8016, co-sponsored by senators Angel (R-26th), Becker (R-2nd), and Sheldon (D-35th).

Encourage passage by commenting on the bill.

1. CLICK HERE to go the bill on the legislature’s website
2. Click “Comment on this Bill“
3. Enter your comments.  Here’s a copy/paste example:

I encourage you to support SJM 8016 to adopt Washington’s application for an Article V Convention of States.

The federal government has grown beyond its constitutional bounds consuming decision-making authority from the citizens of Washington State and our representatives in the state legislature.  Please join Texas Governor Abbott, who recently encouraged Texas’ adoption (http://gov.texas.gov/news/press-release/21829), in including Washington in a convention of states to propose amendments for the purpose of restoring the balance of power between federal and state governments to its original intent.

To answer questions you may have about the process, visit: http://www.conventionofstates.com/

Thank you,
[NAME]

Texas governor Abbott endorsed the Convention of States Project unveiling the “Texas Plan“.  Governor Abbott discussed the concept in a speech.

The Convention of States Washington Facebook Page offers additional instructions and committee members to contact:

The time has come! SJM 8016, the Washington Convention of States Article V application, will be considered at a hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security on Tuesday January, 19th at 10:00 AM in Olympia.  As you are aware, the Convention of States project seeks to call an Article V convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution that “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.”. This is your call to action!

Please take a few moments right now to contact these committee members and ask them to vote in favor of SJM 8016.  Phone calls are preferred and emails are important as well.  It is particularly important for you to reach out to your Senator if you live in their district.  Be sure to identify yourself as one of their constituents if that is the case.

Sen. Pam Roach (R-31st), (360) 786-7660, Pam.Roach@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Don Benton (R-17th), (360) 786-7632, Don.Benton@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Kirk Pearson (R-39th), (360) 786-7676, Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Brian Dansel (R-7th), (360) 786-7612, Brian.Dansel@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Cyrus Habib (D-48th), (360) 786-7694, Cyrus.Habib@leg.wa.gov
Sen. John McCoy (D-38th), (360) 786-7674, John.McCoy@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Dean Takko (D-19th), (360) 786-7636, Dean.Takko@leg.wa.gov

It is also imperative that we show a strong presence at the committee meeting itself.  Please consider taking a day to travel to Olympia to attend the hearing and voice your support for this vital cause.  Most Senate hearings are held in the Cherberg building which is right next to the Capitol Building (arrive early and check with the many ushers for guidance). The schedule may be subject to change, so please check the webpage for SJM 8016 frequently: http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=8016&year=2016

If you do decide to come to Olympia for the hearing, take a few more minutes to visit each of your 3 legislators for your district and express your support for the Convention of States legislation.  These visits have a huge impact! Try calling them in advance to set up a meeting, but if not, just drop by on-the-fly and take a shot at catching them with a minute or two to spare.  Be sure to leave a note with their legislative assistant if you don’t catch them in their office.

If you don’t know your district, you can find it here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder
Contact info for your legislators can be found here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members

Although not required, Eric Minor would love to get an email (director.wa@cosaction.com) from you updating us if you do contact committee members (and any intel you learn) and if you are planning to come to Olympia on Tuesday.

Please join us in showing up, standing up, and speaking up for the restoration of self-governance through this constitutional process!

Help include Washington in the growing movement to restore the U.S. Constitution with the Convention of States Project!  Share on Twitter (#COSProject and #WALeg).