Oklahoma Senate gives final OK to balanced budget convention

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Legislature has given final approval to a resolution formally asking Congress to call a national convention to consider adding a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Senate voted 30-16 on Tuesday to approve the House-backed joint resolution despite concerns of some members that a national convention could be expanded to consider issues beyond the federal budget.

The Florida-based Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force has targeted Oklahoma and six other statehouses this year to push the measure.

The U.S. Constitution requires two-thirds of the 50 states, or 34, to request a national assembly to draft amendments. According to the task force’s website, Oklahoma is now the 29th state to petition Congress for a convention to consider a balanced budget amendment.

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Senate Joint Resolution 4: http://bit.ly/1WBXHkv