But there is one glimmer of hope: the revival of the balanced budget amendment. With Republicans in control of 33 legislatures after this year's election, the chances of ratification by the states are good. And 28 states have already gone so far as to call for a constitutional convention to consider such a measure. The prospect of a convention that could stray into further amending the Constitution may be enough to spur Congress to approve the amendment and send it to the states, with 38 required for ratification.