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Arizona Rep. Kelly Townsend, Rep. David Gowan, Rep. Bob Thorpe, and State Senator Kelli Ward at COS

Greater Phoenix co-founder and Arizona State Representative Kelly Townsend just submitted the following report from her attendance at the Mt. Vernon Convention of the States Conference.

Here is my report on the 5th Amendment Mt. Vernon Assembly - It was an honor to be attending the meeting at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, across from the Mt. Vernon estate. The meeting was organized by Sen. David Long of Indiana, and Rep. Chris Kapenga from Wisconsin, about 97 Legislators came (at their own expense) to the library to discuss a potential amendment to the US Constitution. We did not discuss what that amendment would be, but rather discussed the details of how to get to the point where we can petition Congress for a Convention of States for the purpose of proposing the Amendment(s).

There were a few dominating issues, and the room was filled with brilliant and careful minds. Most important seemed to be preventing rogue delegates from causing a runaway convention, and possibly equally important to the group was making sure that it was a bi-partisan effort. It was well understood that to be successful with this effort, both sides needed to see the value of the amendment, and an understanding that the Houses and Executive could shift to the other party and thus, it would behoove both sides to implement safeguards for States' rights. There was skepticism that we would get support from both sides, however.

Another salient issue was that this process should be transparent, and free from any corporate or special interest influence. This is an effort by the people, and needs to remain as such.

There was a great amount of concern that a disregard for rules may present itself, as it did in many of our States this last session, Arizona included. We discussed details about delegates and that the States would decide the various issues regarding that. It was also agreed that this is an effort of the Legislatures, not the executive.

It is questionable whether this effort will be effective. We understand that there are a lot of hurdles to get over, and there are still concerns about whether it will be of any effect, when the Constitution is being continuously violated and ignored. However, we all felt that to do nothing isn't within our prerogative, and therefore we will smith out a plan to try and reign in this runaway federal government.

IT IS MY EXPRESS BELIEF THAT STEP ONE NEEDS TO BE THIS - WEAN OURSELVES FROM ACCEPTING FEDERAL MONEY. He who pays the bills, makes the rules. We have made ourselves dependent on the government to the point that we are bound to their will. To the greatest extent, we should keep our tax dollars within our own State, and become self-sufficient.

You can all rest assured that I will continue to follow this and keep my promise to fight for your freedoms. This may, or may not, be the answer. However, I would rather put my head down on my pillow at night knowing I tried but failed, but I cannot put my head down knowing I did nothing at all.

Stay tuned, America,

Rep. Kelly Townsend