Alia Beard Rau | The Republic | azcentral.com

David Wallace/The Republic

Representatives from 22 states gathered at the Arizona Capitol Tuesday for the convening of America's first national convention of states in more than 150 years.

"This is indeed historic," said Ken Ivory, a member of the Utah House of Representatives. "This is the first time since 1861 that we've been here, and as of this week we've now eclipsed $20 trillion in national debt."

The intent of the Arizona Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention, which runs through Friday, is to lay groundwork for a future gathering at which state leaders will propose to restrict federal spending.

The rules set this week won't be binding, but they will be presented to the participants of any future Article V convention in hopes of adoption.

The actual constitutional amendment would be developed at that future Article V convention of states. Delegates this week will set rules such as how many votes each state gets at the convention, as well as the process for calling it.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

"Some are saying about us, 'They are no Hamilton. They are no Jefferson,' " said Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, chairwoman of the planning convention. "No, we are not. But we are the stewards now. They found the courage to stand up, and now it's our turn."

View | 20 Photos

The Arizona Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention

Delegates from across the country

All 50 state legislatures received invitations; nineteen sent a total of 72 delegates to the Arizona Balanced Budget Amendment Planning Convention. Individuals from three other states came to observe as unofficial representatives.

There appeared a lack of racial diversity, as all delegates appeared white. Nine women were among the delegates.

Some states sent numerous representatives. Idaho sent 10; Tennessee sent seven. Others, including Kansas, Alabama, Michigan and Missouri sent just one. Arizona had seven delegates and seven alternates.

"Congress, drunk with its own power, is having a party on the deck of our ship of state while it sinks under the weight of red ink," said delegate Gary Banz of Oklahoma, a former state lawmaker. "It will destroy us."

David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona Sen. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, welcomed the delegates to Arizona.

"Today's gathering is long overdue," he said. "A balanced-budget amendment is likely the most important topic you could be considering. When the world decides it is no longer interested in bankrolling Congress' irresponsible ways, the crash will be swift and severe."

Most of the work Tuesday was procedural — electing a president and other officers, breaking into committees and beginning discussions of proposal language.

Steps to call convention

David Wallace/The Republic

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 asking them to do so.

Arizona is among a dozen states that have passed nearly identical proposals in recent years. But more than a dozen more have passed various versions of legislation calling for conventions over the decades.

According to the national Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force coordinating the effort, 27 states have approved qualifying resolutions. They hope the final seven, plus a few extra, could do so over the next year.

Decisions about the wording of any proposed constitutional amendment would happen during an Article V convention, with the focus likely on requiring Congress pass a balanced budget each year.

Some have suggested also requiring a majority of states to approve any increases to the federal debt ceiling, as well as imposing term limits for members of Congress.

Once an amendment is developed, three-fourths of state legislatures or three-fourths of state conventions would have to ratify it for it to become part of the Constitution.

America has never had an Article V convention.

The most recent amendment passed was the 27th Amendment, regulating pay raises for members of Congress. It was first introduced by James Madison in 1789, but wasn't ratified by all the necessary state legislatures until 1992.

Protesters gather, too

David Wallace/The Republic

Before the planning convention began Tuesday, several dozen people opposed to the effort gathered outside the Capitol holding signs and chanting, "Hands off our Constitution."

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Deedra Abboud spoke to the crowd.

"We just had to raise the debt ceiling because of Hurricane Harvey," she said. "Do we want the bureaucracy of states having to decide if we can help? Do we have time? We need less bureaucracy and more solutions."

She said the U.S. doesn't need to change the Constitution.

"We need to elect better people," she said.

David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, said she fears the outcome of a constitutional convention that will be run primarily by white conservatives.

"This is not 200 years ago when you had founders coming together to create a great nation," she said. "These folks, who only represent their self-interests, are going to fight for the corporations, for billionaires. Forget the 99 percent."

Nicole Girard, founder of Indivisible PHX, called the gathering a mockery promoted by billionaires and corporate interests hoping to wield more control. She said she fears limiting federal spending will mean cutting welfare and other safety-net programs that benefit working-class Americans.

"Instead, how about insisting wealthy Americans start acting like Americans and pay taxes," she said.

More than a budget issue?

There is concern among some, including conservative Republicans, that such a convention is a potential Pandora's box. Once a convention is called, states aren't limited to the balanced-budget issue.

They could propose a change to anything they want in the Constitution.

Supporters say the point of the Phoenix planning convention is to address such concerns by setting rules for an Article V convention.