Small Business Challenges in 2016
The National Federation of Independent Business is backing action by Michigan and other states to pass resolutions that would force Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States to require a balanced federal budget. The resolutions are part of a nationwide effort to use the Article V process outlined in the U.S. Constitution to move Congress toward adopting a Balanced Budget Amendment. The process requires 34 state legislatures to adopt similar resolutions that would call for a convention to propose a balanced budget amendment.
Senate Joint Resolution V, sponsored by Senator Mike Green (R-31) was passed by the Senate and sent over to the House. The Resolution passed the full House on March 20, 2014. It went back to the full Senate for concurrence and was passed on March 26th, 2014 making Michigan the 23rd state to pass a call for a convention of states to require a federal balanced budget.
At the end of 2015 there were 27 of the 34 state applications required to call an Article V Convention for the limited purpose of proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment.
In April of 2016 that number became 29 with Oklahoma being the latest state to adopt the Resolution, however, Delaware rescinded their resolution bringing the number back to 28. Only six more states are needed to convene a convention. Over the last three years, one of the two houses of seven legislatures has passed the resolution. These states will be focused upon in 2017 bringing us within striking range of 34 states.
NFIB has long supported Congressional action to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment, but we are stepping up our game by standing behind the state’s efforts through the Article V process as well. As of now, NFIB is the only business group in Lansing and DC supporting this Article V effort
Small business owners are fed up with the federal government’s failure to address the basic budgeting that every citizen and small business must adhere to in their daily activities. NFIB believes it is time for the states and citizens to use the powers provided by the founding fathers in our Constitution to put an end to this irresponsible behavior.
Balanced Budget Amendment Update and Summary:
·
2010: Florida passes a two-subject resolution:
BBA and restraining Federal mandates. Count – 17
·
2011: Alabama passes BBA Convention Resolution.
Count – 18
·
2012: New Hampshire passes BBA Convention
Resolution having rescinded in 2010. Count – 19
·
2013: Ohio passes the BBA resolution in
December. Ohio had defeated the resolution on three previous occasions. Count –
20
·
2014: Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Louisiana pass the resolution. The
Wisconsin House, Arizona House, and South Carolina House pass the BBA
resolution, but because of the objection of one Senator in each state, a vote
was not taken in the Senate. Florida passes a single subject BBA resolution.
Count – 24
·
2015: South Dakota, Utah, and North Dakota pass
the resolution. Additionally, the Wyoming House, West Virginia Senate, and
Oklahoma House pass the resolution. Count – 27
·
2016: West Virginia and Oklahoma pass the
resolution along with the Virginia House of Delegates. Far left Delaware
rescinds application. Count – 28
·
2017: Only six more states are needed to convene
a convention. Over the last three years, one of the two houses of seven
legislatures has passed the resolution. These states will be focused upon in
2017.
