JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Ideas are flying this winter in Northwest Missouri over what an international, open-borders highway effort would reap on Interstate 35.

“It’s getting pretty wild,” said Jack Hodge, presiding commissioner for Harrison County.

In the past week, Mr. Hodge said the county has fielded concerns from citizens who fear repercussions of a purported North American Union could hit too close to home.

“It’s kind of a rumor mill,” he said, assuring that land around I-35 in the county hadn’t recently been sold off to the government.

But a King City, Mo., legislator, takes the international corridor fears and union talk among U.S., Mexico and Canada leaders seriously.

Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, who has concentrated recent legislative acts on stopping the state from participating in national driver’s licenses, turned his attention to another cease-and-desist effort Tuesday.

Mr. Guest has proposed a resolution that, if approved, urges Congress to use its efforts to withdraw the United States from the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, which he alleged seeks to form a North American Union.

President Bush and leaders from Canada and Mexico in 2005 launched the partnership.

A partnership Web site, www.spp.gov, describes the group as a dialogue among the nations, not a treaty or an agreement

“The SPP is a White House-led initiative among the United States and the two nations it borders ... to increase security and to enhance prosperity among the three countries through greater cooperation,” the site reads.

Mr. Guest, however, testified during a House of Representatives committee that the cooperation could lead to a single North American currency and an international highway without borders that would open the door to illegal immigration and unfair trade practices.

“This takes away the sovereignty of our country,” he said. “If you put the three countries together, their (currency) is going to equalize. It will level out to the lowest common denominator.”

A concerned Union, Mo., citizen testified in favor of HCR 17, saying that the partnership never received Congress’ approval.

“It is unconscionable the way we accept the dictatorship of the federal government,” Frank Rice said.

Some of Mr. Rice’s comments drew snickers and smiles from the House committee considering the proposal, but Mr. Guest contended the concerns rise above mere conspiracy theories.

“That’s not the case anymore,” Mr. Guest said. “I think there are enough facts out there now that you can’t argue with them anymore.”

The partnership denies any attempts to form a North American Union, build an international highway or create a continental currency.

But Mr. Guest isn’t the only skeptic. The criticism is picking up speed nationwide.

At least three states have passed anti-North American Union resolutions — Oklahoma, Idaho and Montana.

Union opponents say similar efforts existed in least 14 other states as of this fall.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.