Legislators Shore Up Support for Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment

Date: October 03, 2017

Delegates outlined rules for hosting a constitutional convention to propose a balanced budget amendment over a four-day planning session in Phoenix. What’s next?

This month, legislators from 19 states assembled in Phoenix to hammer out details on proposing a balanced budget amendment through a constitutional convention. So far, 27 states have demonstrated support for a constitutional convention to curb federal spending by passing resolutions calling on Article V of the U.S. Constitution. Article V states that two-thirds of state legislatures can call a convention to propose constitutional amendments.

“We were hoping to accomplish a set of rules for an upcoming convention of states authorized by Article V that were specific to a balanced budget amendment,” said Arizona Rep. Kelly Townsend, a key organizer of the Balanced Budget Planning Convention which concluded September 15. The planning convention also settled logistics, like location and language, for the formal constitutional convention, which can take place once the full two-thirds of state support is reached. Seven states need to pass resolutions invoking Article V before that can happen.

The rules agreed upon in Phoenix for the constitutional convention are not resolute, as pointed out by Arizona Central. However, establishing rules help prevent a runaway convention. The Phoenix planning convention was successful in quelling the fears that proposing a balanced budget amendment convention could be hijacked by the introduction of other issues, said Rep. Townsend.

“We stayed on track here,” said Rep. Townsend. “State legislators were professional, courageous, and very careful in the work that was in front of them.”

Supporters of a balanced budget amendment aim to reduce the federal deficit and the national debt, which is nearing $20 trillion according to U.S. News and World Report.

The seven states targeted to support the balanced budget amendment—many of which had representatives participate in the planning convention—are Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

“I recommend that in the spring when those state legislators are in session, contact them,” said Rep. Townsend. “Get involved in those states in making sure that this specific process moves forward.”

The Phoenix planning convention was able to educate the public on what a balanced budget amendment would accomplish. But next steps include “getting in front of legislators and explaining to them why this needs to be done.”

Related Content: Small Business News | Arizona

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