© 2024 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Michigan House Calls For Balanced Federal Budget

Wikipedia

The Republican-controlled Michigan House is asking Congress to convene a constitutional convention requiring that the federal budget be balanced.  

A resolution approved 77-32 Thursday would join Michigan with around 20 other states that have called for a balanced budget convention. Thirty-four states are needed to convene the convention, and 38 would have to ratify the convention's proposal to go into effect.

The Republican-led Michigan Senate also has approved a balance budget measure, so it and accompanying legislation could win final approval soon. Republicans say it's fiscally reckless to allow federal deficits and build up more debt. Exceptions to balanced budgets could be made for "national emergencies." 
Some Democrats voting against the measures say balanced budgets are an admirable goal but say the amendment wouldn't provide enough flexibility in economic recessions.