WASHINGTON (AP) — GOP activists are advancing a new legal strategy to trigger a constitutional convention aimed at enacting a federal balanced budget amendment, potentially requiring massive cuts to government spending. Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker led a workshop on the issue earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate-backed group that facilitates conservative and pro-business legislation. It’s been 233 years since the last constitutional convention. Critics warned a convention could decide to take on topics beyond a balanced budget and propose other big constitutional changes, though 38 states still would have to ratify any proposed amendments.
