By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-954055.mp3
Frankfort, KY – A bevy of reporters showed up Tuesday at the Kentucky State Capitol. The big draw was debate over a balanced budget resolution backed by the state's junior United States senator.
Since its ratification in 1787, the United States Constitution has been amended only 27 times, and the first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights. But in 224 years, there has never been a constitutional convention to amend the Constitution. U.S. Senator Rand Paul says it's time for one, because the nation "is on the path to fiscal ruin" and Congress refuses to approve a balanced budget amendment.
"People who study the failure of Greece, the failure in Portugal and Spain and Ireland and Iceland - all of these countries that are failing because of their economic woes - there are people who look at that and say that Japan has already reached a point of no return," said Paul. "There are many people who believe that we're a few years behind Japan."
Sen. Paul, addressing a Senate committee and later the entire Senate, says the federal government is spending $10 billion a day, $4 billion of which is borrowed money.
"If we do nothing with spending, within a decade, entitlements and interest occupy the whole budget," said Paul. "Think about that. The whole budget. No money for defense. No money for roads. No money for education. No money for anything if we don't reform the system."
Paul was in Frankfort supporting a resolution urging Congress to convene a constitutional convention to consider a balanced budget amendment. Congress would have to act if 34 states approve such resolutions, and 38 states would be necessary to ratify any amendment emerging from the convention. But during the resolution debate, Democratic Sen. Ray Jones of Pikeville warned that once the convention is convened, "You can't put the genie back in the bottle."
"We could see an entire re-write of the United States Constitution," said Jones.
Not true, says Senate President David Williams, the resolution's primary sponsor.
"This provision, as written, clearly says that Kentucky will revoke or rescind this call if the constitutional convention exceeds what our call is issued for," said Williams.
Noting it was Arts Day at the State Capitol, Democratic Sen. Kathy Stein of Lexington called action on the resolution nothing but "political theatre," intended to benefit Sen. Williams, who's seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
"There is an election this year, and although we know and we trust the sponsor of the legislation, who says this has nothing to do with it, Madam President " said Stein.
"Senator, please avoid any kind of personal attack," said Senate President Pro Tem Katie Stine.
"Thank you, I didn't mean one," said Stein. "None was intended."
Senate Democrats issued a statement saying they unanimously support a balanced federal budget, but not through a constitutional convention. The convention idea also doesn't appeal to Republican Sen. Julie Denton of Louisville.
"I do have some concerns, as to what this could mutate into," said Denton. "Congress now has the ability to limit its spending and it has chosen not to, and I do have concerns about where this would go."
The resolution passed 22-16, with Sen. Denton joining the Senate's 15 Democrats in opposition. The measure now heads to the House, where Republican Rep. Jim DeCesare of Rockfield is offering identical legislation. But House Speaker Greg Stumbo is already signaling trouble ahead.
"Before I'll be supportive of the calling of a constitutional convention without a limited agenda - a convention that could rewrite the entire constitution or any part thereof - pigs will be flying!"
In other words, with only ten days remaining in the 30-day session, the issue - which grabbed the Capitol spotlight for one day - appears dead.