A state Senate committee will consider a measure Thursday that would allow the Legislature to join other states in asking Congress for a national convention to propose constitutional amendments.
The measure calls for the convention to consider proposing amendments that would 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 U.S. Congress.
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will consider Senate Joint Resolution 2 by Sen. Garry Stubblefield, R-Branch, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Old Supreme Court chamber in the state Capitol, said the committee chairman, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot.
Stubblefield said he expects former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., to testify for SJR2.
The resolution would make use of the provisions of Article V of the U.S. Constitution for proposing constitutional amendments.
Thirty-four states are required to call for a convention of the states on the same subject before such a convention would be held, Stubblefield said. Eight states already have called for a convention and 30 states are expected to vote on similar measures this year, Stubblefield said.
SJR2 says the General Assembly recommends that Congress select ratification by legislatures, rather than by state conventions. It would take 38 states to ratify any proposed amendment, said Stubblefield. The resolution has seven co-sponsors in the state Senate and 14 in the state House of Representatives.
-- Michael R. Wickline
