AUGUSTA – Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) plans to submit a joint resolution to the Maine Legislature that would make Maine the latest state to call for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Ohio Governor John Kasich, who is spearheading a national drive to force Congress to balance its books, came to Maine today at the invitation of Maine Governor Paul LePage.
So far, 27 states have passed legislation calling for a Constitutional Convention to vote on a balanced budget. In order to call a convention, 38 states need to vote in favor of one.
At a news conference today, Governor LePage welcomed Governor Kasich to Maine before introducing Senate President Thibodeau, and thanked him for sponsoring the legislation.
“Having our federal budget balanced is a critically important issue for the future of people in Ohio, Maine, and the entire nation,” Senator Thibodeau said. “Right now the nation is 18 trillion dollars in debt. That is debt that is going to be handed down to our children, our grandchildren, and generations for come if we don’t do something about it.
“Most states, including Maine, are required by their own constitutions to balance their budgets. That means that elected officials in those states are forced to put their partisanship aside and work toward sensible solutions.
“If the states can do it, then the federal government can do it,” Senator Thibodeau said.
Also joining today’s news conference was Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, who is also a supporter of the balanced budget amendment.
