Constitutional Convention and a Convention of States?
Today in Nebraska there was a hearing on LR297 to rescind all previous Article V Constitutional Convention Applications. Kathy Wilmot, the Nebraska Eagle Forum President, responded to the only opposition to LR297 by Senator Halloran who supports an Article V Convention of States. Words of Wisdom!
Contact the Committee see below.
Sen. Halloran,
I often can agree and support legislation and issues you are working on, however your attempts to call for an Article V convention is where we part ways.
During the opposition testimony, you presented today at the hearing for LR297, you independently defined the term “constitutional convention” as being a convention for the sole purpose of “rewriting the whole Constitution”. This is a Meckler, Coburn, DeMint, et al. mantra. When hearing individuals give definition of terms, I find it prudent to reference a dictionary. Why? Because he who defines the terms holds the power…therefore one must ensure terms are defined more authoritatively than being simply defined by opinion or bias.
The term “constitutional convention” is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as: A duly constituted assembly of delegates or representatives of the people of a state or nation for the purpose of framing, revising, or amending its constitution.
Past – and current – LR’s introduced in the Nebraska Legislature, including LR 7 which you introduced, have all called for a convention for the purpose of amending the Constitution. It is clear that, by definition, an Article V Convention, a convention of states under Article V – or whatever you want to call it – It IS a “constitutional convention” as defined by Black’s Law Dictionary.
I am including Executive Board members in this communication as I do not want them left with a distorted and incorrect definition of what a “constitutional convention” is and what an Article V convention can do. It is also important to remember that Article V only references “convention of states” – It does not state there are different types of conventions or different titles of convention – therefore it is obvious that when we are referencing a convention under Article V, there is only one.
Numerous times I have had the opportunity to sit in on your presentations re: COS’ efforts and your efforts to call for an Article V convention – and each time you use an incorrect definition and assure those in attendance that this is not a “constitutional convention”. I am always disappointed with that half-truth. (at best).
Respectfully,
Kathy Wilmot
Beaver City, NE
LR297: Rescinds all previously passed applications for Article V Constitutional Conventions including the Balanced Budget Amendment.
MESSAGE: Please vote yes on LR297 which rescinds all previous Article V Constitutional Convention Applications passed by Nebraska including for a balanced budget. An Article V Convention cannot be limited to one subject, opening the Constitution to unlimited changes. The budget can be balanced right now if Congress would follow the Constitution. The only way to balance a budget is to raise taxes or cut spending. The proposed balanced budget amendment does not limit tax increases. (or write your own message) More information below.
CONTACT: Phone and Emails
Executive Board: Republican Senators:
Mike Hilgers: (402) 471-2673
Dan Hughes: (402) 471-2805
Mark Kolterman: (402) 471-2756
John Lowe: (402) 471-2726
Jim Scheer: (402) 471-2929
Emails: mhilgers@leg.ne.gov, dhughes@leg.ne.gov,
mkolterman@leg.ne.gov, jlowe@leg.ne.gov, jscheer@leg.ne.gov,
Copy of LR297: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/106/PDF/Intro/LR297.pdf