Lawmakers Vote Against Maine Joining Convention of States

States across the nation are calling for a balanced budget amendment and have proposed amending the U.S. Constitution to get it done.

It would require a convention of states to do so- and Maine will not be joining.

The legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted to kill the resolution Friday.

Representative Nathan Wadsworth had proposed the measure following frustrations with government shutdowns and increasing federal debt.

But some committee members took issue with the logistics of a Convention of States.

"I oppose this particular piece of legislation and all Article V's because of my concern that I have with runaway conventions, the fact that we haven't had one in many, many decades," said Rep. Roland Martin, (D).

"The value of the United States of America is $80 trillion, well $20 trillion is debt. That is very troublesome. I have four granddaughters and a great granddaughter and this is the world we're leaving them. I can not in anyway not support this," said Sen. Paul Davis, (R).

Seven committee members voted against the measure, three voted for it.