2010 Federal Stimulus Act (Law'd)

[Ban my account ffs!]

Right. I'm thinking it will cost a lot more than the $3 billion figure. I am basically proposing we overhaul and revamp the entire national transportation infrastructure. It may be too much to take on right now due to the cost of the project.

This is what I wanted to do and that's why I was supporting the committee to do so... but you guys shot me down on that.

And I want a network built specifically for high speed rail (speeds of 200+mph).  Regional trains traveling up to 125mph can travel on existing lines with minimal upgrades and advanced signaling technology.  Those would be diesel-electric units while the high speed would be electric units that draw power from a catenary.. which is necessary to reduce weight and provide the kinds of power needed to accelerate to such high speeds.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Right. I'm thinking it will cost a lot more than the $3 billion figure. I am basically proposing we overhaul and revamp the entire national transportation infrastructure. It may be too much to take on right now due to the cost of the project.

This is what I wanted to do and that's why I was supporting the committee to do so... but you guys shot me down on that.

And I want a network built specifically for high speed rail (speeds of 200+mph).  Regional trains traveling up to 125mph can travel on existing lines with minimal upgrades and advanced signaling technology.  Those would be diesel-electric units while the high speed would be electric units that draw power from a catenary.. which is necessary to reduce weight and provide the kinds of power needed to accelerate to such high speeds.

What did I say about the "up to figure".

This is where I wish my brother were available, unfortunately he is asleep.

For a variety of reasons, thouse "regional trains running on existing tracks" would not maintain average speeds above 90, more or less 125. And I wouldn't push a diesel-electric that hard on a regular basis either.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Right. I'm thinking it will cost a lot more than the $3 billion figure. I am basically proposing we overhaul and revamp the entire national transportation infrastructure. It may be too much to take on right now due to the cost of the project.

This is what I wanted to do and that's why I was supporting the committee to do so... but you guys shot me down on that.

And I want a network built specifically for high speed rail (speeds of 200+mph).  Regional trains traveling up to 125mph can travel on existing lines with minimal upgrades and advanced signaling technology.  Those would be diesel-electric units while the high speed would be electric units that draw power from a catenary.. which is necessary to reduce weight and provide the kinds of power needed to accelerate to such high speeds.

We can get this project done without having a committee to do it. We are a committee, a committee of Senators! Embrace your title!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Yes but this isn't the place to hash out completely our rail policy. It is to stimulate the economy. So I am thinking we should include what the SoIA proposed, just change some of the wording a little bit so that we know its a start on a much larger affair. I will take a look at doing that tonight sometime.

Are there other items for Section 2.


Then we should move on to Section 3 which will be tax relief. Marokai gave next to nothing last year in terms of tax relief to encourage investment or business expansion, and wow we are once again in a downward spiral. If we had different demographics electorally this is where someone would come in and say "Gov't isn't the solution to our problem, Gov't is the problem" and then move the country to the right. Alas the people of this game are so smart they are dumb so it won't happen.

We have a lot of options. The items put in the RL tax extention compromise like a temporary payroll tax cut and/or expensing should be considered. As well as exempting some amount of unemployment from taxation. If anybody has any other ideas, I will be interested in hearing them. 

[Dr. Cynic]

Yes but this isn't the place to hash out completely our rail policy. It is to stimulate the economy. So I am thinking we should include what the SoIA proposed, just change some of the wording a little bit so that we know its a start on a much larger affair. I will take a look at doing that tonight sometime.

Good idea. A larger debate on the rail policy can go on later. Those can simply be initial investments.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I offer and accept the following amendment to the bill.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendment has passed. And half you guys should be fired immediately.

[HappyWarrior]

Could we maybe add Nyman into the Mideast section of the railway section?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Could we maybe add Nyman into the Mideast section of the railway section?

You want to offer an amendment to do that?


Six days and nothing, no discussion. I realize it was Christmas, but god damn you people suck.

[Ban my account ffs!]

I'd like to propose an amendment to add $200 million for permanent flood mitigation projects along the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota as well as for towns affected by the rising Devil's Lake in North Dakota.

I'll write up the official amendment later... but with the likelihood that Fargo/Moorhead may be fighting a 3rd consecutive major flood this spring, a permanent solution is needed.

[Purple State]

UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO RISE; REACHES 9%

The Atlasian GM's Office announces that national unemployment has reached 9.0% as of December, up 0.2% from last month. Likewise, the Regional unemployment numbers for December have had to be similarly readjusted to account for heavy job losses during the latter part of the month. The post holiday shedding of jobs has far exceeded seasonal adjustments, indicating businesses may be planning retrenchment rather than expansion during the foreseeable future.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Following up on my initial comment in this thread, what's the status of the food stamps expansion in this bill as of now?

[bgwah]

Would it be wise to pass this before the current Senate ends?

[Badger]

I want to throw my two cents in, which some might consider to be a monkey wrench. Due to recession creating a slump in tax receipts and increased demand for government services, every region is facing a likely significant budget deficit this coming fiscal year. This applies even to the most "small government" minded regions, as I assume their tax levels are related to their spending levels, and thus still affected by the recession.

The exact numbers are of course still unknown as currently only the Mideast, to its credit, is working out any sort of budget. It is my firm hope that once the Mideast budget is created as a model, that we can strongly encourage other regions to similarly keep even a basic ledger of how much taxes it raises from what sources (sales, income, etc) and how much it spends and on what (roads, prisons, governor's mistress, etc.). For now suffice to say regional governments will face considerable deficits in direct relation to its unemployment (sorry Pacific ; don't get cocky Midwest---7.2% unemployment still sucks ).

My point regarding this bill is it may be difficult until regional budgets are crafted later next year to determine exactly where regional government coffers are lacking. This is just a point to remember for both regions and the federal government regarding specifying what stimulus funds are to be spent on, as well as their amount. Yes, the federal government can modify this package later if the region's needs are found to be different than first thought, but otherwise flexability may be much more important here than initially thought.

[HappyWarrior]

I offer and accept the following amendment to the bill.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

I amended it as suggested to include Nyman.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object.


Next time try not to include the quotes from another poster.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Following up on my initial comment in this thread, what's the status of the food stamps expansion in this bill as of now?

Why don't you check the posts on the first page following yours on the matter.

Would it be wise to pass this before the current Senate ends?

It would certainly be beneficial but in terms of wise, I don't know since that is pretty vague.

I'd like to propose an amendment to add $200 million for permanent flood mitigation projects along the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota as well as for towns affected by the rising Devil's Lake in North Dakota.

I'll write up the official amendment later... but with the likelihood that Fargo/Moorhead may be fighting a 3rd consecutive major flood this spring, a permanent solution is needed.

Sounds like a legitimate item of pork.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Following up on my initial comment in this thread, what's the status of the food stamps expansion in this bill as of now?

Why don't you check the posts on the first page following yours on the matter.

Would it be wise to pass this before the current Senate ends?

It would certainly be beneficial but in terms of wise, I don't know since that is pretty vague.

I'd like to propose an amendment to add $200 million for permanent flood mitigation projects along the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota as well as for towns affected by the rising Devil's Lake in North Dakota.

I'll write up the official amendment later... but with the likelihood that Fargo/Moorhead may be fighting a 3rd consecutive major flood this spring, a permanent solution is needed.

Sounds like a legitimate item of pork.

Don't come crying to me next time the hurricane season begins

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Following up on my initial comment in this thread, what's the status of the food stamps expansion in this bill as of now?

Why don't you check the posts on the first page following yours on the matter.

Would it be wise to pass this before the current Senate ends?

It would certainly be beneficial but in terms of wise, I don't know since that is pretty vague.

I'd like to propose an amendment to add $200 million for permanent flood mitigation projects along the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota as well as for towns affected by the rising Devil's Lake in North Dakota.

I'll write up the official amendment later... but with the likelihood that Fargo/Moorhead may be fighting a 3rd consecutive major flood this spring, a permanent solution is needed.

Sounds like a legitimate item of pork.

Don't come crying to me next time the hurricane season begins

Looking at the latest from the Cook political report, I don't think I will need to.

[Ban my account ffs!]

I propose the following amendment to section 2:


g.  Flood mitigation for spring 2011 in the Midwest.
       1.  $50 million shall be made available to regional and local officials upon application    for direct flood mitigation in affected communities.  These monies shall be used only for temporary flood mitigation and community support programs to provide relief to citizens affected by flooding.  Any funds not used for flood mitigation as of December 31st, 2011, shall be returned to the public treasury.
       2.  $10 million shall be made available to local communities along flood prone rivers to purchase homes within the designated 50 year flood event zone in order to convert said land into parks or natural areas that will be allowed to flood, thereby alleviating pressure on other dikes and flood walls.
       3.  Whereby the Fargo/Moorhead region is a vital center of commerce, agricultural, and energy trade for a large area of the Midwest, and whereby dangerous historic flooding has increased drastically in recent decades due to climatic changes, the duration or extent of which cannot be accurately forecasted, $100 million shall be appropriated to the Army Corps of Engineers to design, plan, and build a permanent levy within the city of Fargo, ND to withstand a flood crest on the Red River of the North of no less than 50 feet.  If the Midwest regional government appropriates additional funds for this measure, the monies hereby allocated may be used in the design, plan, and construction of a permanent flood diversion canal around the Fargo/Moorhead region without further approval by Senate of Atlasia or any other government authority.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The previous amendment has been adopted.


The current amendment is accepted by the sponsor. Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Purple State]

I propose the following amendment to section 2:


g.  Flood mitigation for spring 2011 in the Midwest.
       1.  $50 million shall be made available to regional and local officials upon application    for direct flood mitigation in affected communities.  These monies shall be used only for temporary flood mitigation and community support programs to provide relief to citizens affected by flooding.  Any funds not used for flood mitigation as of December 31st, 2011, shall be returned to the public treasury.
       2.  $10 million shall be made available to local communities along flood prone rivers to purchase homes within the designated 50 year flood event zone in order to convert said land into parks or natural areas that will be allowed to flood, thereby alleviating pressure on other dikes and flood walls.
       3.  Whereby the Fargo/Moorhead region is a vital center of commerce, agricultural, and energy trade for a large area of the Midwest, and whereby dangerous historic flooding has increased drastically in recent decades due to climatic changes, the duration or extent of which cannot be accurately forecasted, $100 million shall be appropriated to the Army Corps of Engineers to design, plan, and build a permanent levy within the city of Fargo, ND to withstand a flood crest on the Red River of the North of no less than 50 feet.  If the Midwest regional government appropriates additional funds for this measure, the monies hereby allocated may be used in the design, plan, and construction of a permanent flood diversion canal around the Fargo/Moorhead region without further approval by Senate of Atlasia or any other government authority.

I know I've been giving the Senate a hard time, but hearts to Snowguy on working with his region to write a detailed amendment like this.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Indeed. Shame he shall soon be parting from our midst.

[bgwah]

Indeed. Shame he shall soon be parting from our midst.

Don't worry... I'm sure the "national hughughug day" bill will generate pages of debate!

[Ban my account ffs!]

Flood protection, choo-choo trains, freeways, trolleys, power lines, unemployment extension, food relief for the poor...

Let's get this show on the road and at least put a chink in the giant stone monster that is trying to cripple our economy (aka Badger )