Maine State Director Ken Quinn recently attended the 2016 Maine Republican Convention to propose the addition of an Article V Convention of States plank to the Republican platform.
His trip was remarkably successful.
Ken and his wife Shelly headed up to Bangor, Maine, early Friday morning. They were joined by District Captain Margery Ripley, who helped them hand out flyers to the delegates as they entered the Cross Center for the two day convention. The flyers explained the purpose of a Convention of States as well as the amendment that was being proposed to the 2016 Maine Republican Platform, which read:
“We support the Convention of States Project application which seeks to call an Article V convention limited to only proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.”
Quinn moved the amendment and spoke on its behalf from the convention floor. “We were only given one minute to speak on the amendment, which basically changed everything I was planning to say,” said Quinn. “Several people spoke on behalf of the amendment and a few spoke in opposition. When the Chairman of the Convention asked for the vote the Ayes were overwhelming and the amendment passed. I am extremely grateful to the individuals that joined me on the floor to speak on behalf of the amendment.”
"I'm also very appreciate of the volunteers who took time out of their busy lives to visit the state capitol and speak with legislators. Those conversations have been invaluable to the effort in Maine and will continue to help us earn the ultimate victory at the capitol."
“This vote not only allowed us to educate a few more people on Article V, but also moved the ball down the filed bringing us closer to the goal line,” Quinn said.
Last year the Convention of States application -- H.P.804 -- received a favorable vote of 19-16 but did not attain the two-thirds needed to pass. "Having the endorsement of the Maine Republican Party is going to help us to gain the support we need to hopefully pass our application in 2017,” Quinn concluded.
Want your state to follow Maine's lead? Signing the Convention of States petition is a great place to start.
