Rep. Rich Jarvis,R-Meridian, says he has a "deep love of his country" and that he is concerned about the direction in which the United States is headed.  That love, said Jarvis, led him to introduce legislation before the House State Affairs Committee that would call on the federal government to reign in spending and pay off the debt, among other things.

In his speech, Jarvis outlined the seven points on which his resolution relies.  They include:

1. Congress should adopt a balanced budget.
2. The public debt of the United States should be paid within 55 years.
3. There should be transparency in all affairs of government and all bills proposed by Congress should be posted for five days before being voted upon.
4. The English language should be the official language for the U.S. government and no business, government, or individual should suffer a penalty for requiring the use of the English language.
5. Foreign entities and courts, including the United Nations, should not have authority over activities within the United States.
6. Congress should prevent government ownership of private sector enterprises.
7. References to "God" shall be welcome in the public domain.

If passed by the Idaho Legislature, Jarvis said he intends to work to pass the resolution on to legislatures in every other state to encourage them to pass similar measures.  He added that if that happens, it will send a louder message to Washington, D.C., about the desires of the states.

Some legislators were not impressed with the resolution and questioned the wording and Jarvis' ideology concerning the federal government.

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, said she could not support the measure unless references to the United Nations (UN) were "cleaned up," with specific regard to UN treaties and resolutions concerning human trafficking.  Jarvis said that after consultation with other lawmakers, he felt the wording was appropriate.

Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise, objected more sharply, criticizing Jarvis for "berating the federal government."  She questioned how Jarvis could support the push to bring F-35 jets, a federal government program, to Idaho, while he proposes legislation that reprimands the feds for other actions.

"On the one hand we are berating the federal government, but on the other hand we are asking for a major air command unit to move into the state," said Pasley-Stuart.  "There seems to me a conflict there."

Jarvis said that the jets and defense programs of the sort are government programs that are within the acceptable role of government.  "For us to maintain freedom, we need to maintain a strong country," said Jarvis.

Pasley-Stuart continued her objections and moved to kill the bill before it receives a full hearing.  The committee members voted down her motion on a 14-4 mostly party line vote, with Rep. Mary Lou Sheperd, D-Wallace, joining Republicans to oppose Pasley-Stuart's move.

The resolution was eventually introduced on a 14-2 vote and will receive a formal hearing before the committee in upcoming weeks.