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Oklahoma Joins States Calling for Constitutional Convention

Wikipedia

Oklahoma lawmakers officially joined the call this week for a convention of the states to amend the U.S. Constitution.

The state House passed a resolution 57–33 Monday.

"Oklahoma wants to be a part of the conversation about bringing our fiscal house under control and restoring a balance to the relationship between the federal government and the states," said Rep. Gary Banz, an author on Senate Joint Resolution 4.

The resolution says Oklahoma wants to add amendments dealing with a balanced federal budget, federal spending caps, term limits and the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Those in favor said addressing the federal deficit is the priority. Rep. Sally Kern was among those opposing the resolution, though not because her biggest fear was a runaway convention.

"If we'll take care of the morality, God will take care of the economy," Kern said. "But we are a nation today that believes in separation of church and state. We have a people, they don't know whether they should go to the men's restroom or the women's restroom, and a populace who doesn't seem to care."

Rep. David Brumbaugh said the movement has been around at least 25 years with no results.

"It's because the states know how dangerous this will be. You know, a former politician says, and we listen, 'I don't care what the risks are,'" Brumbaugh said. "Well, members, we need to care what the risks are. It's our Constitution."

With Oklahoma, 29 of the required 34 states have now called for a convention.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.