Missouri lawmakers likely to continue support for convention of states movement

Proposals to give states like a Missouri a seat at the table to suggest Constitutional changes are again making their way through the General Assembly.

The time could be ripe for such a convention, which can be called by two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of all state legislatures (34 of 50) under Article V of the Constitution. A convention, supporters of which tend to be conservative, would allow delegations from all participating states to suggest amendments to the Constitution.

Republicans control 32 state legislatures (33 with Nebraska, where the legislature leans right but is technically nonpartisan). That's just shy of the requirement to call for a constitutional convention and is up from 30 in 2016 and 27 in 2012, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Conservative strategists may have a ways to go if they intend to not only call a convention but make amendments stick. Any amendments proposed at a convention would be subject to ratification by 75 percent of states (38 of 50).

Read more: http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/21/missouri-lawmakers-likely-continue-support-convention-states-movement/99445572/