http://thomas.loc.gov/…

(a) Administration; Amount- The Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, may provide grants to an eligible State to assist such State in carrying out the inspections described in subsection (c). The grants shall be in amounts determined by the Secretary, taking into consideration the relative needs of the State.

(b) Eligibility- A State is eligible for a grant under this Act if the State has established a program whereby not fewer than 20 percent of rooms in lodging facilities in such State are inspected annually for cimex lectularius, commonly know as the bed bug. The Federal share of funding for such a program shall not exceed 80 percent.

(c) Use of Grants- A State may use a grant received under this Act to–

(1) conduct inspections of lodging facilities for cimex lectularius, including transportation, lodging, and meal expenses for inspectors
(2) train inspection personnel; and
(3) educate the proprietors and staff of lodging establishments about methods to prevent and eradicate cimex lectularius.

(d) Application- To receive a grant under this Act, an eligible State shall submit an application to the Secretary of Commerce in such form and containing such information as the Secretary shall determine.

(e) Definition of Lodging Facility- For purposes of this Act and the requirement under subsection (b) for State programs receiving funding under this Act, the term `lodging facility’ means any individual hotel, motel, or inn that makes available for commercial lodging more than 10 individual rooms.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to the Secretary of Commerce for the grants authorized under this Act.

From WashingtonWatch.com:

deb

As a single homeowner who experienced a bedbug infestation, I can say that these bugs are truly horrible. The expense , the loss of furniture, the stress and mental anguish, the social stigma…all happen to one’s life when bedbugs invade a home.
The bedbug’s ability to hitchhike via personal items is insidious. A bug that causes so much stress and upheaval in one’s life must be taken seriously. Ignore this bug and it will wreak havoc on society.

Doug Summers MS

The re-emergence of bed bugs is going to have a major impact on a number of industries, particularly the hospitality & travel industries.

We need to take action now!

Please support this bill!

This bill will address one important vector, the hotel industry.

Congress needs to consider federal legislation to to help deal with infestations in residential housing , as well.

Marc

I am waiting for dirty dish act of 2008. As a single homeowner who experienced dirty dish infestations, I can say that these dirty dishes are truly horrible. The expense , the loss of clean dishes, the stress and mental anguish, the social stigma…all happen to one’s life when dirty dishes invade a home.
The dirty dishes’ ability to hitchhike via personal actions is insidious. A chore that causes so much stress and upheaval in one’s life must be taken seriously. Ignore dirty dishes and it will wreak havoc on society.

I’m with Marc. If they are going to search for bedbugs they need to start addressing dirty dishes. That impacts far more individuals and costs far more in dollars and man power. In fact the government should mandate dishwashers for all, nationalize the dishwasher manufactures and detergent makers as well as force iRobot to create automatic dishwasher bots or dishwasher loaders.

Funny that they refer to New Hampshire yet no congressmen from NH have sponsored the bill.

Free Minds TV travels to Gunstock Mountain in Gilford NH for PorcFest 2008. The one hour special features interviews, speeches, and a general feel for what the Porcupine Freedom Festival and the Free State Project is all about.

To order a full quality DVD for personal use or to submit to a cable access station, please e-mail toby(at)freekeene.com.

Find more Free Minds TV at http://freemindstv.com and Free Minds Radio RSS feed here.

I don’t know how this slipped through the libertarian blogosphere but this is pretty hardcore. Looks like it was on 3/13/2008 and the blog is from 6/15/2008.

http://politicalinquirer.com/…

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 51st Legislature (2008)
HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION 1089 By: Key
AS INTRODUCED
A Joint Resolution claiming sovereignty under the
Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States over certain powers; serving notice to the
federal government to cease and desist certain
mandates; and directing distribution.
WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States reads as follows:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”; and
WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and
WHEREAS, the scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and
WHEREAS, today, in 2008, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, many federal mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and
WHEREAS, a number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from Congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 51ST OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the State of Oklahoma hereby claims sovereignty under the
Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all
powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal
government by the Constitution of the United States.
THAT this serve as Notice and Demand to the federal government,
as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates
that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated
powers.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state’s
legislature of the United States of America, and each member of the
Oklahoma Congressional Delegation.

http://www.okhouse.gov/51LEG/Leg_Votesxx.aspx?include=okh01983.txt
http://www.ok-safe.com/files/documents/1/HJR1089_int.pdf

And as other sovereignty issues arise like with Real ID hopefully the states can exert enough pressure to cripple the federal government. At least slow its march toward total national control.

FTL2008-06-13.mp3

Dick Marple was running the FIJA booth at PorcFest this year and on Friday went on FTL to talk about some of the foundations in New Hampshire for jury nullification. The interview starts at about 104 minutes in and goes to the end of the show.

I just got back from the Free State Project’s 2008 Porcfest. It was extremely enjoyable. Rich Goldman did a wonderful job setting things up and I have to also thank Jason Osborne of Sakal/CAI for sponsoring the fest and providing the Fun tent. Free Talk Live broadcast live Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There was a lot of open carrying going on, a lot of Ron Paul signs and a lot of good people having a great time. The vendors included the likes of the New Hampshire Libertarian Party, the Republican Liberty Caucus,  Anarchy in Your Head, and BureauCrash.com. I picked up the Real Rebels t-shirt and bosco got the FREEDOM: My Anti-Government tee.

I strongly suggest anyone who enjoys camping and supports freedom to consider attending next year’s Porcfest. If you can’t wait I also recommend FSP’s Liberty Forum in January. bosco, xyz, etc. feel free to add your opinions of the weekend.