AJR7: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2315/2

PJD:kmg:ks

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 7

January 9, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Green, Handrick, Ladwig, Gunderson, Seratti, Klusman and Walker, cosponsored by Senator Petak. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

AJR7,1,6 Relating to: requesting appropriate action by the congress, either acting by consent of two-thirds of both houses, or, upon the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, calling a constitutional convention to propose an amendment to the federal constitution to require, with certain exceptions, that the total of all federal appropriations may not exceed the total of all estimated federal revenues in any fiscal year.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This joint resolution applies to the U.S. congress to submit to the states, for ratification, a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. constitution "requiring in the absence of a national emergency that the total of all federal appropriations made by the congress for any fiscal year may not exceed the total of all estimated federal revenues for that fiscal year". The joint resolution further requests, as an alternative, that the congress call a federal constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing the same amendment to the states for ratification. Under article V of the U.S. constitution, such a convention must be called when two-thirds of the states (34) apply therefor.

AJR7,1,9 Whereas, with each passing year this nation becomes more deeply in debt as its expenditures grossly and repeatedly exceed available revenues, so that the public debt now exceeds hundreds of billions of dollars.

AJR7,2,3 The annual federal budget continually demonstrates an unwillingness or inability of both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government to curtail spending to conform to available revenues.

AJR7,2,6 Unified budgets do not reflect actual spending because of the exclusion of special outlays which are not included in the budget nor subject to the legal public debt limit.

AJR7,2,8 Knowledgeable planning, fiscal prudence and plain good sense require that the budget reflect all federal spending and be in balance.

AJR7,2,12 Believing that fiscal irresponsibility at the federal level, with the inflation which results from this policy, is the greatest threat which faces our nation, we firmly believe that constitutional restraint is necessary to bring the fiscal discipline needed to restore financial responsibility.

AJR7,2,17 Under article V of the constitution of the United States, amendments to the federal constitution may be proposed by the congress whenever two-thirds of both houses deem it necessary, or on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states the congress shall call a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing amendments. We believe such action vital.

AJR7,3,2 Now, therefore, be it resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin proposes to the congress of the United States that procedures be instituted in the congress to add a new article to the constitution of the United States, and that the state of Wisconsin requests the congress to prepare and submit to the several states an amendment to the constitution of the United States, requiring in the absence of a national emergency that the total of all federal appropriations made by the congress for any fiscal year may not exceed the total of all estimated federal revenues for that fiscal year; and, be it further

AJR7,3,8 Resolved, That, alternatively, the legislature of the state of Wisconsin makes application and requests that the congress of the United States call a constitutional convention for the specific and exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to the federal constitution requiring in the absence of a national emergency that the total of all federal appropriations made by congress for any fiscal year may not exceed the total of all estimated federal revenues for that fiscal year; and, be it further

AJR7,3,13 Resolved, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin also proposes that the legislatures of each of the several states comprising the United States apply to the congress requesting the enactment of an appropriate amendment to the federal constitution or requiring the congress to call a constitutional convention for proposing such an amendment to the federal constitution; and, be it further

AJR7,3,21 Resolved, That a duly attested copy of this joint resolution be immediately transmitted to the president and secretary of the senate of the United States, to the speaker and clerk of the house of representatives of the United States, to the office of the federal register, to the library of congress, to each member of the congressional delegation from this state, to the national conference of state legislatures, to the council of state governments, and to the presiding officer of each house of each state legislature in the United States, attesting the adoption of this joint resolution by the 1995 legislature of the state of Wisconsin.

AJR7,3,22 (End)