HELENA, Mont., Jan. 20, 2015—Representatives from Montana’s largest and leading small-business association will join with Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich at a noon news conference calling for a balanced budget amendment in the U.S. Constitution, when he visits Helena, tomorrow, January 21.
Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives states the power to go around Congress and the president of the United States to enact federal law when neither branch of government is responding. Two-thirds (34) of state legislatures need to adopt balanced-budget resolutions forcing Congress to call a convention of the states. So far, 24 states already have.
With 350,000 dues-paying members nationwide, including 6,000 in Montana, NFIB is the Voice of Small Business.
“A growing number of states are realizing that there is little chance that our nation will take steps to address our $18 trillion federal debt without Americans taking control at the state level to trigger change,” Kasich said. “The movement to call for a convention to set a balanced budget process in motion has great momentum, with just 10 more states needed. By implementing a federal balanced budget amendment, we’ll finally be able to hold the federal government to the same standards as virtually all states, businesses and families.”
Riley Johnson, Montana state director for NFIB, said small-business support for a balanced budget amendment is something fundamental to them. “Small-business owners have to balance two budgets every day, their firm’s and their family’s, and they don’t get the luxury of printing more money when costs exceed income or get to fob off deficits on future generations.”
Visit www.BalancedBudgetForever.com to learn more about this national campaign.
Who: Ohio Gov. John Kasich
What: News conference encouraging the Montana Legislature to pass a resolution calling for a constitutional convention for the purpose of balancing the federal budget
When: Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 21, Noon.
Where: Old Supreme Court Chambers, 3rd Floor, State Capitol, 1301 E. Sixth Ave., Helena
Why: Only 10 states more are needed to make a constitutional convention a reality.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America’s economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.
National Federation of Independent Business/Montana
491 South Park Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
406-443-3797
Twitter: @NFIB_MT
