State senate approves Convention plan

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTHI) - The Indiana state Senate approved a plan for a state-called constitutional convention.

The Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long said if the resolution is also approved by the Indiana House, he will work with leaders in other states concerned with the federal government's growing reach.

News 10 spoke with a variety of individuals locally including two Indiana House Representatives and a political expert who all say this presents a strong statement from the Hoosier state.

The resolution calls for a convention focused on limiting the power of Congress to tax and regulate interstate commerce. It's an issue that was argued in challenges to the federal health care overhaul.

According to Dr. Matthew Bergbower of Indiana State University, the state would need two-thirds of state's total to pass similar proposals, meaning 33 other states would have to be added to Indiana in order for this to happen.