(Thumbnail image: Scripps-Howard)

Several states have readied lawsuits against the federal government. The states say they'll sue over health care reform legislation President Barack Obama signed into law. They say the federal government is overstepping its constitutional powers.

The CBS affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida, plays up the drama of the states’ suits.

"Republicans say they know where they stand on the bill, they don't want to see it become law, and that's why tonight they are banding together to fight back."

"...this state uprising against the federal government."

"The number of states jumping on the bandwagon to stop the reform is growing."

"...states fight for their individual rights."

CNN's Anderson Cooper asks tough questions of Utah's Attorney General about his ties to the health care industry.

COOPER: "The New York Times a little awhile ago...basically they're potentially saying that you and other attorney generals have gotten thousands of dollars in contributions from the industry.  A.) is that the case, and do you think, if so, that poses any kind of conflict."

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SHURTLEFF: "In this case is not political, it's about making sure the process is followed."

COOPER: "I mean you're really not saying this is political, [SHURTLEFF: No.] there aren't a lot of Democratic attorney generals or governors signing onto this thing."

Likewise, Fox News' Greta Van Susteren warns Virginia's Attorney General of a potential pitfall for his state's suit.

"One of the problems I forsee you having is the idea of what affects the commerce clause. It's so broad. It's such a stretch, I mean the most unusual things are said to affect commerce.  I mean you could run into a judge who could say well the fact that we may have to get medical supplies from another state to take care of your ill or your sick or your injured in Virginia could really affect interstate commerce, so for that reason, you lose."

But the spokesman for the Reagan Political Action Committee defends the suits on Fox Business, saying that the reform legislation is too big a financial burden on states.

"I just got back from Texas, I was there with Gov. Perry for three days. The cost of this legislation to the state of Texas alone is $24 billion..."  

"This is why you see so many governors in so many states getting ready, and they're already doing it, suing the federal government, saying listen, you're putting this onto us and having us pay the bill.  This is going to break the back of states."

So what do you think? Is the federal government overstepping its bounds? Or are the states' suits motivated by more than just a stand for state's rights?