States consider amending Constitution

Law school invites legislators to learn how the process works.

State lawmakers are learning how to hold a convention to change the Constitution.

That's the purpose of an event happening next week at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, in response to a growing interest in the idea from states like Virginia.

"There is growing discontent among the people regarding the irresponsible borrowing by the national government and its intrusion into our daily lives," said William H. Fruth, founder of 10 Amendments for Freedom and a speaker at the symposium. "I believe you will see the state legislatures call an amendments convention in 2011."

Fruth's conservative advocacy group aims to ratify 10 amendments that enforce a balanced budget, single-subject legislation, and a state veto of Congress.

The September 16 event aims to teach state legislators more about Article V of the nation's founding document, which lets 34 state legislatures call a convention to write amendments. Those proposals would then require the approval of 38 states to be finalized.

Amending the Constitution is very difficult politically, as Emma Dumain recently reported for Congress.org.

-- Ambreen Ali, Congress.org

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