AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage will host Ohio Gov. John Kasich at the State House on Thursday to make an announcement regarding the national push for a federal balanced-budget amendment.

Kasich and LePage, both Republicans, are among a group of governors supporting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the federal government to maintain a balanced budget. 

At least 34 states would have to join in calling for a special convention to amend the U.S. Constitution and 38 states would have to vote to ratify that amendment.

In 2013, Ohio passed a bill requesting the U.S. Congress hold a special Article V Convention to put forward a balanced-budget amendment. Since 2013, Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Louisiana, South Dakota, Utah and North Dakota have passed similar resolutions.

LePage and Kasich are expected to appear at noon in the Governor’s Cabinet Room in the State House. LePage is expected to announce legislation that would add Maine to the list of states calling for a balanced federal budget.


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