State leaders from around the nation will gather in Arizona in this week to plan first Article V convention in American History. This convention is being held first time in 150 years. The intent of Arizona Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention, scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the state Capitol is to lay groundwork for a future gathering at which leaders will propose to restrict federal spending.

According to Article V of the U.S Constitution states can force congress to call a convention for proposing amendments to the U.S constitution if two-thirds of the states pass resolutions calling from them to do so.

"I don't think people realize the states have the power and authority to use this," said Arizona Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, chairwoman of the Arizona delegation and one of the event organizers.

She also said, “The states are the closest to the people and we know what we're doing."

Arizona is one of such dozen states that has passed nearly identical proposals in recent years. But more than a dozen more have passed various legislation calling for convention over the decades.

According to the national Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force coordinating the effort 27 states have approved qualifying resolutions, they hope that final seven and couple extra could do so over next year. The effort was a hot topic at American Legislative Exchange Council, where mostly republic law makers gather with business leaders to develop model legislation.

"The Article V movement is gaining momentum," Townsend said. "We may see an Article V convention in the next few years. And what a waste if they had to waste time setting rules."

By A.s