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2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Federalism and Freedom

January 30, 2016

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference
“Federalism and Freedom”
 
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library 
January 30, 2016
 
Keynote Speaker:
Governor Pete Wilson
Former Governor of California (1991-1999)
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10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Address by Attorney General Scott Pruitt

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Topics: Constitution • Federalism • State Courts • State Governments • Federalism & Separation of Powers
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Description

James Madison wrote that our system of federalism provides “a double security…to the rights of the people.” In other words, the 50 states serve as shields for individual rights that the federal government fails to protect. States can harness these tools to protect important rights. The intro will set the stage for the day’s theme, building on the Founders’ concept of federalism, tying it to Reagan’s ascendancy and the framework of the Reagan Revolution, and touching on the concepts of states’ powers.

This address was part of the 2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA on January 30, 2016.

Introduction

  • Hon. Scott Pruitt, Attorney General, Oklahoma
  • Introduction: Mr. Eugene B. Meyer, President, The Federalist Society

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Speakers

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Preserving Freedom: Federal vs. State Power

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Topics: Administrative Law & Regulation • Federalism • State Courts • State Governments • Federalism & Separation of Powers
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Description

Sometimes federalism is invoked because we believe the best way to preserve freedom is to devolve to the local level. With the federal government’s reach extending into more facets of daily life like education policy, labor & employment policies, and healthcare, calls for state and local governments to stand against Washington are increasing. Yet at times, local government can serve as an even greater restraint on individual rights. From regulations governing entrepreneurship and the sharing economy, the minimum wage, asset forfeiture, and policing, state and local government at times may intrude on individual freedom even more than the federal government.  State initiatives on “right to try” (now law in 24 states) and marijuana regulation also lead to federalism questions, putting conservatives and libertarians at odds. How do we strike the proper federalism balance? How should principles of federalism inform the federal government’s response to state initiatives?

This panel was part of the 2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA on January 30, 2016.

Preserving Freedom: Federal vs. State Power

  • Mr. Adam Freedman, Author, A Less Perfect Union and The Naked Constitution
  • Ms. Christina Sandefur, Executive Vice President, The Goldwater Institute
  • Prof. Adam Winkler, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
  • Moderator: Hon. Sandra Segal Ikuta, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • Introduction: Mr. Stephen M. Duvernay, Benbrook Law Group

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Speakers

12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Keynote Address by Governor Pete Wilson

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Topics: Federalism • State Courts • State Governments
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Event Video

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Description

Former California Governor Pete Wilson delivered the Keynote Address at the 2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference on January 30, 2016, at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA. Thomas F. Gede of Morgan Lewis introduced the Governor.

Keynoted Address

  • Gov. Pete Wilson, Former Governor of California ('91-'99)
  • Introduction: Mr. Thomas F. Gede, Principal, Morgan Lewis Consulting LLC and of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Speakers

2:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Federalism, the Environment, Land Use, and Energy Independence

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Topics: Environmental & Energy Law • Federalism • State Courts • State Governments • Environmental Law & Property Rights
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Description

Some states have criticized Washington overreach on a number of energy and environmental issues, from fracking, the sale of public lands, utility regulation, and clean air and water regulation. Many state attorneys general have banded together to challenge alleged overreach in the environmental arena, including litigation against the EPA’s coal-fired power plant regulation plans. What are the proper federalism models for environmental regulation? What role should the courts and state attorneys general play? A panel of experts will discuss.

This panel was part of the 2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA on January 30, 2016.

Federalism, the Environment, Land Use, and Energy Independence

  • Mr. Anthony L. (Tony) François, Senior Staff Attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation
  • Prof. Richard Frank, Director, California Environmental Law and Policy Center, UC Davis School of Law
  • Prof. Donald J. Kochan, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development; Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University
  • Prof. Justin Pidot, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver
  • Moderator: Hon. Milan D. Smith, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th  Circuit
  • Introduction: Ms. Jennifer Perkins, Assistant Solicitor General, AG Opinions and Ethics at Arizona Attorney General's Office

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Speakers

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Federalism and Religious Liberty

2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference

Topics: Constitution • Federalism • Religious Liberty • State Courts • State Governments • Religious Liberties
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

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Description

How should federalism affect “moral” issues like abortion, traditional marriage, and state RFRA laws? What about the intersection of equal protection and religious liberties? Should pro-life state attorneys general, for example, file lawsuits against abortion providers like Planned Parenthood? Is religious faith and morality inherently in tension with fidelity to the rule law?

This debate was part of the 2016 Annual Western Chapters Conference at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA on January 30, 2016.

Federalism and Religious Liberty

  • Prof. John Eastman, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Chapman University
  • Prof. Marci Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
  • Moderator: Hon. Carlos Bea, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • Introduction: Mr. Joel Ard, Member, Foster Pepper PLLC

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 

Speakers

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