Senator Headlund Opposes
Massachusetts COS Participation

    Senator Hedlund was informed because a constituent (only one person) took the time to deliver – by hand – information she received on the dangers of the COS, to his home address mailbox. Each piece of information she received was immediately copied and put into his mailbox. You'll notice his confidence in the statements made in this Press Release and in his ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, relating to information posted here. State legislators are human beings.  The majority are not corrupted, merely uninformed. It’s up to each of us to work with them and support their efforts to stand against the powerful and influential would-be world leaders and their minions.

    We were saddened to hear only a couple of years later that he was supporting Governor Weld’s bill to eliminate county government in Massachusetts. Senator Hedlund and I were guests together on a talk show discussing the bill. His justification for supporting the elimination of counties in Massachusetts was his belief that "the people are not interested, nor do they participate in county government matters." Senator Hedlund didn’t realize that ‘the people’ have been misdirected by the phony conservatives — wolves in sheep’s clothing — to give their time, energy, money and attention to the U.S. Congress, not realizing that the core of Constitutional government begins at the local level, and that the federal government is a creature of the States... the agent, not the principal; the janitor, not the CEO. — Jackie —

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
State House, Boston 02133-1053

Senator Robert L..Hedlund
Plymouth and Norfolk District
Telephone: (617) 722-1646

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SENATOR ROBERT L. HEDLUND
APRIL 18, 1995
CONTACT: Stephen A. Boksanski, (617) 722-1646

 

HEDLUND LEADS OPPOSITION TO MASSACHUSETTS' PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCE OF THE STATES

    BOSTON - Senator Robert L. Hedlund (R-Weymouth) is coordinating an effort among his colleagues, to oppose Massachusetts' participation in a Conference of the States (COS).

    Hedlund distributed a letter throughout the Massachusetts Legislature signaling the potential dangers of the proposed convention. The letter advocates for awareness and proper legislative attention to be given before Massachusetts endorses any such resolution.

    The letter was also signed by Representatives; Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville), Anne Paulsen (D-Belmont), George Peterson (R-Grafton) and Philip Travis (D-Rehoboth).

    On Thursday April 13, 1995, Hedlund learned that Senators Brian P. Lees (R-East Longmeadow) and W. Paul White (D-Boston) were planning to offer a resolution in an upcoming informal session. Hedlund has formally requested that the matter be taken up in full formal session, and once there he plans to move to route it to the appropriate committee for a hearing.

    "I am not surprised by the tact of the sponsors, however I do not believe they fully realize the potentially disastrous ramifications of such an event. In many other states, resolutions of participation have been passed in similar fashion; with no public scrutiny or hearing. I have made my request both verbally and in writing to the Senate Leadership," stated Hedlund.

    There is evidence of opposition even in areas that once supported a resolution of participation. In Pennsylvania, House leaders decided to send the measure back to committee, and in Philadelphia City Council unanimously voted this month to not have their city be the host, expressing concerns of converting the COS into a Constitutional Convention'.

    The Conference of the States has been proposed by the Council of State Government (CSG), and is being promoted by the Governor of Utah Mr. Michael Leavitt. The COS is a proposed gathering of state delegates to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In order for a COS to take place, resolutions of participation must be passed by at least 26 states, although sponsors have stated it will not be held unless 34 request it.

    Commenting on the COS, Hedlund referred to Article V of the U.S. Constitution, "Article V provides two methods for proposing amendments for the Constitution already, we do not need another."

    Proponents of the COS claim that they want to ‘enhance excellence in state government through leadership' and ‘compete for power in the federal system'. The CSG also contends that the COS will ‘produce a result that has no force of law or binding authority'.

    Hedlund questioned, "why must each state take legislative action in order to attend a conference that does not result in anything so substantial."

    "My biggest concern is that there is no guarantee that the conference will not decide to become a Constitutional Convention, and if that happens there will be no force to stop it," concluded Hedlund.