Wisconsin Legislative Committee Votes For Constitutional Convention

Wisconsin is one step closer to joining other states in calling for a convention to change the U.S. Constitution to force a “balanced budget amendment.” The amendment would ban the federal government from spending more than it takes in.

An Assembly committee voted Wednesday to advance measures from Republican Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, that would make Wisconsin the 30th of 34 states needed to force a convention, according to The Associated Press.

The convention is a constitutional provision to bypass Congress.

Democratic Rep. Jimmy Anderson, D-Fitchburg, voted against Wisconsin being part of such a convention.

“If we want balanced budgets, I think we should go through the electoral process and elect representatives who will then vote for such a budget,” Anderson said. “We shouldn’t be doing these back door procedures. Rolling in the Trojan horse and doing things behind the public’s back.”

Rep. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, disagrees, saying the nation’s debt continues to rise.

“Rep. Anderson, I understand your concerns, but how has that worked for us so far?,” Schraa said.

A similar proposal passed the state Assembly in 2014 but was not taken up by the state Senate.

Schraa said the balanced budget amendment may never get enacted but “it sends a message to the federal government.”