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SAN CARLOS, Calif. (AP) - Fed up with the budget crises and partisan battles that have paralyzed California for years, some influential voices believe it's time to tear open the state constitution and start anew. Once dismissed as a hokey gimmick, support for a proposed constitutional convention has been building in the nation's most populous state. Even Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has indicated he would back an effort to retool the document to make state government function more smoothly. Opponents of the step say it's just a ruse to raise taxes and could expose the constitution to a host...

The state of Wyoming has adopted a resolution to inform Washington bureaucrats and bureaucracies of its opposition to any plans to hold a Constitutional Convention that would recommend changes or alterations to the nation's founding document. House Enrolled Joint Resolution 3 was signed recently by Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal. The Wyoming Family Coalition said the measure, sponsored by state Rep. Bob Brechtel, R-Casper, is intended to announce the state's opposition to "any attempts to dismantle the United States Constitution which has generally served the country well for nearly 230 years." WND reported earlier when Wyoming legislators expressed alarm at the...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed a California constitutional convention – last used in 1878 – as a way to fix what he described Thursday as the state's "dysfunctional" system. Speaking at the Commonwealth Club of California, the Republican governor took dead aim at potential foes of budget-related measures he wants voters to pass May 19 while embracing several political changes not on the ballot. Schwarzenegger said legislative term limits should be extended so state lawmakers have time to build sufficient experience. He said the initiative process should be changed to prevent well-heeled groups from pitching bond measures the state can't afford....

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he "absolutely" loves the idea of holding a constitutional convention to overhaul state government. California hasn't had such a confab in 131 years. ... The Republican governor would like the convention to consider, among other things, eliminating some statewide offices -- like treasurer, controller, superintendent of public instruction and, especially, lieutenant governor, all currently held by Democrats. "It makes no sense that the governor is surrounded by constitutional officers who are trying to derail him," Schwarzenegger says. "Look at the way the nation runs: The president appoints those Cabinet positions." ... Meanwhile, two blocks from the...

Tuesday's Sacramento summit on a possible new state constitutional convention is picking up some interesting support, including the William C. Velasquez Institute, a think tank on Latino affairs. "The disastrous state of California's government is of concern to us all," according to a news release from the institute, which is based in Texas and has offices in California and Florida. "Within a generation, Latinos will soon be the majority in California and, as such, we have a vested interest in California's future."

A public policy organization has issued an urgent alert stating affirmative votes are needed from only two more states before a Constitutional Convention could be assembled in which "today's corrupt politicians and judges" could formally change the U.S. Constitution's "'problematic' provisions to reflect the philosophical and social mores of our contemporary society." "Don't for one second doubt that delegates to a Con Con wouldn't revise the First Amendment into a government-controlled privilege, replace the 2nd Amendment with a 'collective' right to self-defense, and abolish the 4th, 5th, and 10th Amendments, and the rest of the Bill of Rights," said the...

"Thirty-two (32) other states have already called for a Con Con (allegedly to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution). 34 states are all that is required, and then Congress MUST convene a Convention." snip - "You may have heard that some of those 32 states have voted to rescind their calls. This is true. However, under Article V of the Constitution, Congress must call a Constitutional Convention whenever 2/3 (or 34) of the states apply. The Constitution makes no provision for rescission."

The Ohio state legislature is expected to vote as early as Dec. 10th, to call for a Constitutional Convention (Con Con). If Ohio calls for a Con Con only one more state need do so and Congress will have no choice but to convene a Convention, throwing our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights up for grabs. Ohio's vote today poses a grave threat to the U.S. Constitution. Please immediately call the Ohio lawmakers listed below. … Thirty-two (32) other states have already called for a Con Con (allegedly to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution). 34 states...

HARTFORD -- The archbishop of Hartford sent the word out at Sunday Masses: Vote "yes" for a constitutional convention on Election Day. Every parish bulletin in the Archdiocese of Hartford included a statement of support from Archbishop Henry J. Mansell and the state's other Catholic bishops last weekend. The Catholic dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich and the Ukranian Catholic Diocese of Stamford are also planning appeals in their parishes, said Michael C. Culhane, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference. Every 20 years, a ballot question asks voters in Connecticut if they want to rework the state constitution. If a...

A new poll suggests that voter alienation is prompting support for proposed revisions to the Connecticut Constitution, not opposition to gay marriage. Voters favor amending the constitution to allow citizen ballot initiatives, but they reject the anti-gay-marriage sentiments prominent in calls for a constitutional convention. The poll found that 50 percent of voters support a convention to amend the state constitution and 39 percent are opposed. But 55 percent oppose a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Instead, the poll found a correlation between a poor opinion of the General Assembly and support for the ability of citizens to legislate by...

U.S. Constitution, Article VThe Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be...

<p>Just heard O'Reilly say that even though over 75% of the American people are opposed to illegal immigration, the Congress is unwilling to do anything about it. Now we all know that it is highly unlikely that representatives of either party are willing to commit to any meaningful immigration reform, so is it time for we the people through our state legislatures (requires two thirds of the states) to call for a convention to propose a constitutional amendment defining the federal government's role and responsibility for defending our borders? If so, how should such an amendment be worded and how would we go about getting two thirds of the state legislatures to act?</p>

The mind-boggling amounts of the bailouts Congress has passed and is still debating, plus shocking Wall Street frauds, seem to have plunged some lawmakers into a silly season. Ohio state legislators this month held a surprise hearing on a resolution calling for a national constitutional convention, and then canceled a vote after dozens of citizens showed up to speak against it. We already have a U.S. Constitution that has withstood the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune for more than two centuries, and we don't need a new constitution. There is nothing wrong with the one we have except that...

Calling a Con Con is not only wholly unnecessary to the purpose of a balanced federal budget, but will unquestionably result in an outcome as unimaginable to most Americans as it will be lethal to our nation. The American Policy Center became the Con Con proponents' worst nightmare with Wednesday's Sledgehammer. But they will now be expecting our next salvo, so it is imperative we redouble and greatly expand our efforts to again carry the day. Please do all you can to help us in this most important fight. The United States stands at the edge of a great, dark...

By Robert Novak Sunday, June 25, 2006 WASHINGTON Supporters of a constitutional amendment to keep the courts from legalizing homosexual marriage, stunned by poor support in the recent Senate vote, are beginning a campaign for a constitutional convention. The provision of the Constitution's Article V requiring such a convention if called by two-thirds of the state legislatures has never been used. Fear of throwing the Constitution open to general amendment has overridden support for specific issues. However, key advocates of barring gay marriages believe the constitutional convention strategy will keep the issue alive. A recent memo circulated within the anti-gay...

Title - Do We Need A New Constitutional Convention By - Andrew Costly Do We Need A New Constitutional Convention? by Constitutional Rights Foundation (www.crf-usa.org) Article V of the Constitution provides two methods for adding Amendments. Congress introduces amendments by one method; the states initiate them under the other. The only method ever used is the congressional method. It lets Congress pass constitutional amendments by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such amendments must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or special state conventions, as Congress determines. Over 10,000 amendments...

Virginia Withdraws Con-Con ApplicationVirginia has joined the ranks of states that have withdrawn their applications to Congress calling for a constitutional convention (con-con). The measure originated in the state’s House of Delegates, passing with widespread support, 82-10. Senate passage was by voice vote. Final action occurred on March 10, when the House voted on the resolution a second time due to minor changes added to the final resolution by the Senate. The victory is the product of diligent teamwork by members of the John Birch Society.A con-con is a never-before-used method of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Article V...