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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Montana Legislators Debate Constitutional Convention For Balanced Budget Amendment

Matthew Monforton
Montana Legislature

Montana legislators disagree on whether to call for another Constitutional Convention, and it’s not along party lines. Republican Representative Matthew Monforton is proposing Montana join a growing number of states, now at 24, to meet to change the United States Constitution to require Congress to balance their budget.

Democratic Missoula Representatives Nate McConnell and Andrew Person are part of the committee that passed this resolution to the House floor. Though they generally agree, on this vote, they didn’t.

Person says a convention is needed to cut debt from a war he, himself fought in.

“I do think we’re at the point where the national debt is so serious, a serious look at amending the Constitution is definitely in order.”

McConnell says the so-called Con-Con could result in an influx of unchecked dark money from companies and private interests. He says the best way is through electing the right leaders.

“The last time we had a balanced budget was when a person named Clinton was in office. Next year, I think there’s a person named Clinton that’s going to be running for office, and I think that’s a much simpler solution.”

This resolution will likely hit the House floor for debate next week.

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