State Rep. Woody Burton recently attended the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 2013 States & Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
“ALEC provides a forum in which policy ideas are exchanged from a variety of perspectives,” said Rep. Burton. “I appreciated the variety of topics that were discussed at ALEC – topics that ranged from education to healthcare to states’ rights.”
ALEC works at the state level to advance the fundamental principles of free-market enterprise, limited government and federalism. This is done through a nonpartisan, public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public.
“One of the great things about our country is that our federal government has certain duties that it carries out, but those responsibilities not designated to the federal government are left up to the states,” said Rep. Burton. “I believe the government that is closest to the people is most responsive.”
In addition to hearing a keynote address by Gov. Pence, there was also discussion about Article V of the U.S. Constitution calling for a Constitutional Convention. Last session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 224 that describes the duties of convention delegates and restricts their ability to make decisions outside the instruction of the General Assembly.
“What I like about this idea is that if we call a constitutional convention, this law strictly limits the issues that can be discussed,” said Rep. Burton. “I support this idea in an effort to help clarify the relationship between the states and the federal government.”
“I plan to use the information I gathered at ALEC to better serve my constituents and continue to develop legislation that is in their best interest,” said Rep. Burton.
Below is a photo of Rep. Burton with Gov. Pence and fellow Indiana legislators at ALEC.
