The Arizona Senate has given its approval to a resolution allowing the state to challenge federal government orders.  It would allow the state to reject orders from Washington it believes are unconstitutional. Tempe Democratic Senator Ed Ableser opposes the idea.

“I think we need to take in the sage and wise advice of our leaders ahead of us who have talked about running pieces of legislation that just promote more fear: fear of our federal government, fear of Washington, D.C., fear of this government,” Ableser said.

The measure's sponsor, Senator Chester Crandell, says the Constitution gives states the right to function independently from the federal government and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling backs that up. The resolution now goes to the Arizona House.