LITTLE ROCK -- Similar proposals aimed at forcing a constitutional convention for a federal balanced budget amendment advanced to the Arkansas House for a vote Friday, with opponents questioning the need for such a move.
The House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee endorsed two proposals that supporters say would result in an amendment to rein in the federal government's spending and debt.
The first proposal, approved 14-4, calls for Arkansas to join an interstate compact seeking a convention on the balanced budget amendment. The application for the convention would be submitted once 38 states join the compact. Two states, Alaska and Georgia, have approved legislation joining the compact and proposals are pending before several other states.
"I believe the single biggest problem facing the United States and Arkansas is the federal debt and the rapid increase in the federal debt that's occurred in my lifetime," Republican Rep. Nate Bell of Mena, who proposed the legislation, said. "It's become very clear that no matter who you elect to Congress or what you do there, they simply don't take measures to provide long-term debt restraint."
It takes an application from 34 states to trigger a constitutional convention, but 38 states to ratify an amendment. Supporters of the compact proposal said the approach is more efficient because it ensures states have agreed to the amendment.
The panel also endorsed by a 12-6 vote a separate proposal calling for a convention to consider amendments to "impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress." Unlike the compact proposal, the resolution doesn't spell out the specific amendment to be considered during the convention.
A third proposal calling for a constitutional convention that didn't specify what amendments should be considered failed.
Democrats on the panel questioned the need for the state to join in a call for such a convention.
"We elect people to make a balanced budget, and if those people are not making a balanced budget, then we need to elect people who will do that," Democratic Rep. Camille Bennett of Lonoke said.
State Desk on 02/28/2015