THE CALL FOR A CONVENTION OF STATES TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD REIGN AND PROVIDE A BALANCE BUDGET FROM THE SPENDING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO ORDER FROM OHIO REPS CHRISTINA HAGAN (R-OH) AND BILL PATMON (D-OH)

Two legislators propose that Ohio join in a call for the states to meet and amend the U.S. Constitution to rein in federal authority and spending power.

Republican Rep. Christina Hagan of Stark County and Democratic Rep. Bill Patmon of Cleveland, introduced a resolution calling for a convention of states, as outlined in Article V of the Constitution, that would allow state delegations to meet. Their resolution calls specifically for debate on federal spending, the range of power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limited terms for federal officers.

"The intent of the resolution is to get us moving in the direction of a national convention," Hagan said. That convention would become the "tool for reining in government, or at least starting the conversation."

At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, delegates included language in Article V that gives the states the ability to call a convention to discuss amendments.

But no convention of states has even been called.

Since the Constitution became effective in 1789, all of the nearly 40 amendments submitted to the states were a result of action by Congress.

That may be a result of the states being hesitant to throw the doors open to the amending process, suggests Paul Beck, a political scientist at Ohio State University.

"What they have going against them is the widespread belief in this country on the right and on the left that the constitution that we have now is a pretty good thing," Beck said.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/06/ohio_legislators_propose_conve.html