MADISON - Wisconsin would join more than two dozen other states in calling for a federal balanced budget amendment, under a measure the state Senate approved Tuesday.

The Senate voted, 19-14, to make Wisconsin the 28th state to call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution, with Senate President Roger Roth (R-Appleton) joining all Democrats to oppose the measure and all other Republicans supporting it.

"We have a tremendous debt problem in our country," Sen. David Craig (R-Town of Vernon) said.

Backers of Assembly Joint Resolution 21 say amending the U.S. Constitution is the only way to force Congress to put the country’s finances in order. The measure, which does not need Gov. Scott Walker's signature, adds Wisconsin to the states calling for a convention to amend the constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

Opponents argue a convention could result in amendments on other issues that could result in dramatic changes to long-held rights to free speech, guns or abortion.

"They don't have to stick to a balanced budget amendment. They can do whatever they choose," Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) said of the delegates to the potential convention.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution allows a convention for proposing amendments to be held if two-thirds of the states — 34 — call for one. To take effect, any amendments passed at a convention would have to be approved by three-quarters of the states, or 38.

Craig said that no constitutional amendment would get support from that many states if it harmed free speech or other important rights.

But Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) said Republicans didn't need to pass a budget amendment since they already control both Congress and the White House.

"We've got a terrible debt problem. So why don't you solve it?" he asked Republicans.

Including Wisconsin, 28 states have now called for a convention, according to the Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force. Some of the calls were made decades ago. Six more would be needed for a convention to be held.

No convention has been held since the constitution was framed in 1787. Amendments since then have been proposed by Congress and approved by the states.

Also Tuesday, the Senate approved, 19-14, Assembly Joint Resolution 20, which would put Wisconsin on record in supporting procedural rules for the convention written last year by a bipartisan group called the Assembly of State Legislatures. Wisconsin Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) serves as co-president of that group.

Senators also voted 19-14 to pass Assembly Bill 165, which would determine who would be sent to a convention. Wisconsin would send seven delegates — three appointed by the speaker of the Assembly, three appointed by the president of the state Senate and one appointed by the governor.

That bill goes to Walker for his signature.

The Assembly in June passed the three measures related to holding a convention.

Also Tuesday, senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 119, which would make it easier to grow hemp. Growing hemp would remain illegal in most cases under federal law, but the state measure would clear the way for the University of Wisconsin or the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to grow hemp for research.

Supporters say the state's rural economy could benefit from the measure, which now goes to the Assembly.