Sen. Standridge appointed to attend national meeting

Oklahoma State Sen. Rob Standridge was appointed this week by President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman to represent the majority party of the Oklahoma State Senate at The Assembly of State Legislature’s meeting in Washington, D.C. next week.

The Assembly of State Legislatures is a bipartisan group of state legislators from across the country who recognize that the states have a responsibility under federalism to work together to solve problems of national concern.

The Norman Republican said he was honored to once again be chosen as a delegate for the national meeting.

“I want to again thank Senator Bingman for the privilege of representing our caucus at this important meeting,” said Standridge. “It’s imperative that the states let their voices be heard by Congress and the Courts. Congress, in particular, has been spending money at an unsustainable rate that can’t continue. We, as the states, must assert our power and let the federal government know that we will protect our rights.”

The meeting will focus on Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which has been a popular issue for both parties in many state legislatures the last few years. While Congress can propose constitutional amendments, the states can as well. Article V reserves to the states the right to call for a Convention of States to propose constitutional amendments when Congress, the Courts or both refuse to address an egregious wrong suffered by the people. If two-thirds or 34 of the states call for a Convention of States to propose amendments, Congress has to do so.

One subject that has been proposed by more than 20 states, including Oklahoma, for an Article V Convention of States is a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget.

The U.S. Constitution does not specify most rules and procedures on how an Article V Convention for Proposing Amendments would function; therefore, The Assembly of State Legislatures sees it as the responsibility of the state legislatures, under the 10th Amendment, to define such rules and procedures. This will ensure a prudent process exists should any convention for proposing amendments be called.

The Assembly last met in Indianapolis in June. Standridge also attended that meeting as the official delegate for the Oklahoma State Senate.

He will be filing one bill and two resolutions this session dealing with the Convention of the States.