THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501280223
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
A majority of states, but perhaps not the three-quarters margin required, would ratify the balanced budget amendment now working its way through Congress, a nationwide survey of legislative leaders suggests.
The Associated Press interviewed nearly 300 legislators across the nation Thursday and Friday, and found most ready to ratify what would be the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
But while some legislators predicted quick, enthusiastic passage - it will pass ``like grain through a goose,'' crowed Utah House Minority Leader Frank Pignanelli, a Democrat - others said their states were wary of crimping the flow of federal dollars.
By the legislators' assessments, the measure appears likely to be ratified in 32 states, including Virginia and North Carolina. It's likely to lose in two, New York and Vermont, and faces uncertain prospects in the remaining 16.
The amendment, requiring the federal government to balance its ledgers in all peacetime fiscal years, passed the House of Representatives on Thursday and now goes to the Senate.
Its passage is far from certain there. If it does pass, it would be sent to the state legislatures, and would need to pass 38 to be ratified.
There is a seven-year limit for ratification. At least one state, Idaho, would need at least two years for passage because all such amendments require a vote of the people. Other states appear likely to pass the measure within days of any Senate approval.
All states but Vermont require their own budgets to be balanced, and many have long called on the federal government to do the same. But even many legislators who philosophically support the idea of balanced budgets are worried about the effect the amendment could have on the states.
Marcus Gaspard, the Democratic majority leader of the Washington state Senate, spoke for many when he said he would vote for the balanced budget amendment only if he could be sure Congress wouldn't balance the budget by shoveling ``unfunded mandates'' onto the states. ILLUSTRATION: BILL'S PROSPECTS
Likely to pass (32 states): Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Kansas,
Missouri, Louisiana, Arizona, North Dakota, Kentucky, South Dakota,
South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana,
Connecticut, Montana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, Nebraska,
Utah, Tennessee, Michigan, Alaska, Colorado, Maine, New Jersey,
Oregon, Nevada, New Hampshire.
Unlikely to pass (two states): New York, Vermont.
Uncertain prospects (16 states): California, Hawaii, Illinois,
Washington, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Rhode Island,
Alabama, Massachusetts, Minnesota, West Virginia, Delaware, New
Mexico, Florida.
Based on interviews with nearly 300 state legislators
nationwide.
by CNB