LIMA, Ohio -- Gov. John Kasich and the Republican leaders of the Ohio House and Senate signed letters to President Obama and congressional leaders Monday, urging Washington to get the nation's financial books in order.

The press conference on the campus of Rhodes State College in Lima came days after the legislature gave its final approval for a resolution calling for a constitutional convention, becoming the 20th state in the nation officially on record in support of an amendment barring the federal government from spending more money than it collects.

"I think this is a simple clarion call for America to start getting its books in order, its house in order, and gain economic strength and let America really begin to take off in this century," Kasich said. "Because you know what's holding us back? Debt, the threat of taxes, uncertainty... "

The letters signed by Kasich and lawmakers urged the president and Congress to work together "to draft a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and to submit it to the states for ratification."

They also noted the recent passage of Joint Resolution 5, which seeks to force federal officials to act. The proposed amendment is necessary, given the current national debt of $17 trillion -- and rising, said Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina).

Under Article V of the Constitution, two-thirds of state legislatures (34) can adopt resolutions to force Congress to call a convention to consider amendments.

Delegations would then meet to hash out amendments, which would require ratification by three-fourths of the country (38 states) to take effect.

Numerous resolutions have been passed by states through the years calling for Article V conventions on various issues, including some with language related to a balanced budget amendment.

But 20, including Ohio, have signed off on resolutions that focus only on a balanced budget and comparable fiscal issues, said Rep. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), who sponsored the House version of the amendment language.

Ohio's Senate Joint Resolution 5 also includes language attempting to limit the topics considered if a constitutional convention is called, with Ohio delegates authorized to "debate and vote only on" the balanced budget issue, according an analysis by the state's Legislative Service Commission.

Opponents of the resolution voiced concern about whether a convention would lead to unwanted changes to the U.S. Constitution and questioned the impact of balanced budget requirements on governmental services.

Kasich announced his support for a balanced budget amendment during a speech at a Republican fundraiser in August, urging the state legislature to move on the issue quickly.

The Ohio Senate and House did just that, with the former passing SJR 5 in October and the latter following suit less than a week ago.

Votes in both chambers were bipartisan and met the required super majority.

SJR 4 was filed with the secretary of state's office late last week.

In addition to the letters to the president and congressional leaders, Kasich said he would be contacting governors from other states with hopes of convincing those that have not yet done so to adopt comparable balanced budget amendments.

"This is a tough road, but I'm more optimistic about this [balanced budget amendment moving forward] than I ever have [been]..." he said. "The debt is so high, and people know it. ... People just intuitively know that the road we're on is not a road to economic gain but rather for debt for our kids and a slower economy."
