Office of Governor Blair- Senate Appointment and other things

[Blair]

Address to the Northeast Assembly

'I thought we'd do something different today. We've had a hectic couple of weeks in Atlasia-a Presidental Election, a Gubernational election and a referendum which defined the Future of the Northeast. I wouldn't be lying if I said there were moments of doubt on the road but I always had faith that we'd pull through, and we did.

Now our future is in our own hands, now it's time to take the positive and broad message from the campaign trail and apply it to Government. We need a radical plan for Government, and we need to ensure the people of the Northeast get the best opportunities, the best chances and the best future possible from this Government. To start, I want to introduce something simple-a Charter Scheme. No, this doesn't relate to the schools but to the wider tenets of Government. The biggest problem with the Northeast, and regional Government is that multiple laws can be created, leading to an ever widening amount of spending and bureaucracy. For this reason I'm going to set out charters in each government departments-these charters will outline how much each department is spending, and what laws have been passed. My hope is that this can lead to reform, and in turn give the Assembly a boost when trying to carry out bold reforms. In order to know the way forward, we need to know the past friends.

Next, I want to return to my campaign promise-Jobs, Jobs and Jobs. I'm not going to sit here and say that the free market will deliver this, and I'm not going to sit here and say that Government intervention will fix all our woes. A strong mix of sound public finances, provided with government support and investment in infrastructure, education and public works. We also need to take this approach to the Senate, and the other centers for governance-for this reason I'll be in contact with the other 3 Governors about setting up a national wide strategy for growth in all the regions.

Almost paradoxically people have pointed to the declines of the region, but I say this-the Northeast is fighting back. Let's show Atlasia what we can do....

[Blair]

I'd also like to announce to the Press, and the good citizens of the Northeast that I've managed to assembly almost a full Cabinet for the first time in the Northeast. My hope is that these departments will grow into strong offices where cabinet members can become leading experts on policy. As I said during my campaign I want to unite the Northeast, and my broad diverse cabinet highlights this perfectly.

Treasury Secretary-Former Speaker Dkrol
Health and Human Services Secretary- Assembly-member DempGH
Interior and Agriculture Secretary- Assembly-member Clyde
Labour Secretary- Former Governor Pikachu
Veterans Secretary- Enduro

[Blair]

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[Blair]

Governor Blair has been in the bed for the last 24 hours recovering from an re-emergence of a chest infection (I really have!)

[Blair]

Upon the hopeful confirmation of my Cabinet I'm going to start work on the new Northeast Budget tomorrow, to bring the jobs and reform that the Northeast needs in this uncertain time

[Blair]

Oh yeahh I forgot that it can deleted, I've been asking various people if they're interested and will hopefully have a choice soon.

X Blair

[Blair]

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[Blair]

Press Release from Governor Blair

''This week I've been talking to various ministers in my cabinet and others as I begin to draft a budget for the Northeast. I'm going to wait for the new GM to be confirmed by the Senate so that I can see our jobs numbers, and ensure that the budget has a positive effect on the Northeast. I'm also closely watching the budget debates in the Senate, and hope that the Senate gives the Northeast the fair deal that it deserves. I hope to have the budget submitted in the next week, so that the Assembly can sink it's teeth into it''

[Blair]

'I urge my fellow Citizens in the Northeast to vote against the constitutional amendment that is being voted on this weekend. This is not because I disagree with the premise of the argument, or the rationale behind it. It is because in it's current form the law is crude, and only stops religious groups that carry out 'bodily harm'. This would create a complex legal situation within the Northeast where a cult would have a constitutional right to operate even if they were carrying out psychological harm. 

[Blair]

'I urge my fellow Citizens in the Northeast to vote against the constitutional amendment that is being voted on this weekend. This is not because I disagree with the premise of the argument, or the rationale behind it. It is because in it's current form the law is crude, and only stops religious groups that carry out 'bodily harm'. This would create a complex legal situation within the Northeast where a cult would have a constitutional right to operate even if they were carrying out psychological harm. 

I agree with you Governor Blair to a large extent, but religious freedom should be protected under the law.  Perhaps this bill could be reintroduced and amended to take into consideration the wider context to which you make reference to, so that psychological harm in religions is not protected under the law.

I intend to speak to the Assembly, and my Cabinet about how to modify this amendment. It's an important issue after what we saw in the Pacific 

[Blair]

With the help of Secretary Enduro I've introduced an amendment to the Care For Those In Need Act to include a specific provision for the Veterans of the Northeast. The bill has an increase in funding, but I'd like to point out to the Assembly that I've lobbied for cost reductions in the two recent bills discussed. It's also my hope to have my economic stimulus plan released, and given to the Assembly on Wednesday, regards

Governor Blair

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[Blair]

X Governor Blair

Mr. Governor....

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[/quote]

[Blair]

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[Blair]

'It's with a great sense of hope, and optimism that I today announce that I've send my economic recovery bill to the Assembly of the Northeast. This bill called 'BOOST' is based entirely on it's name-it's the most comprehensive scheme proposed in the Northeast or the country to help rebuild our economy. It's clear that we cannot sit back whilst our brave citizens are out of work, whilst our cities crumble and whilst people question what are very public officials are doing.

This bill is wide reaching and will ensure that all areas of the Economy are given a vital boost. The most vital aspect is the cut in sales tax to put more money in the pocket of the Northeast people, and ensure that our shops, local businesses and communities are given a boost. A credit bank is credited to allow small businesses to borrow much needed funds, a highway investment scheme along with an environmental clean up scheme will give our outdoors a fresh start and a jobs fund will most importantly ensure that our fine citizens can get back to work. This is a time to show that the government of the Northeast will not sit back, and watch as our struggle continues. With this step lets walk proudly into our shared future.

Governor Blair

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[Blair]

x Governor Blair

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[Blair]

I'm currently reviewing the options for the new appointee to the Northeast Assembly, and have contacted various citizens. An announcement will be made later

[Blair]

'I'd like to thank everyone for coming here on such short notice, and apologize for the length of this press conference.

It was with great shock, and great concern that I saw the statement put out by Secretary of State Classic Conservative tonight   It goes against the fundamental core of Atlasia, and betrays the ideas of justice and equality long pushed forward by politicians across the spectrum. We can't have quotas on different religions-we're all humans. The idea of bureaucrats in Nyman sitting at their computers turning away families because we already have our '25%' of Muslims is simply sickening. We can't put a quota on humanity.

The most disappointing thing was the comment from the Secretary where he said

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What is the Secretary saying? Is he saying that all Muslims in the middle east are blood thirsty warmongers. I'd remind him that the Muslims in Syria and across the region who are fleeing didn't ask for war. The Quran, just as much as the bible promotes peace, understanding and compassion. The muslims who marched in the Arab Spring did it too seek a better future, the Syrians who marched against Assad in 2011 did it to seek a better Syria. This divisive, and offensive language is something that I did not expect from the leader of our nations response to our biggest crisis. We're only taking in 100,000 refugees whilst Germany take in 800,000. Atlasia can do better than this

[Blair]

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[Blair]

I'm not the biggest fan of religious quotas, or quotas of any type, but for the sake of a Devil's Advocate (nothing is a bigger impediment to improvement than an echo-chamber) I'd point out that the Secretary gave reasons for this: for one thing, Christians are less likely to be ISIL (not that most Muslims are, the vast majority are not, but it's an important point from a national security standpoint, and I think the Secretary's error was of phrasing, not necessarily substance) and from what I understand Christian refugees are facing violent discrimination beyond what Islamic refugees are facing. Now, you can say that one or both of these facts aren't facts at all, or are misleading, or draw different conclusions. But that's the information our own State Department gave.

we must take in all refugees, regardless of religion. That is, after all, what Christ himself would do.

I'm not arguing with the merit of the point, just point out merely that removing quotas does nothing to increase the amount, it just alters the composition. Now, not saying you can't argue for both to be done, but those are separate numbers.

The Secretary gave reasons-there were just deeply flawed and not based on any forms of fact. Leinad you're being pretty naive if your argument is the 'state department said it so we must follow it'

The idea that it's better for national security to take in less muslims because they 'could be part of ISIL' is simply wrong. ISIS have 30,000 fighters-yet in Syria alone there are 15 million Muslims! Look at the difference-and that's in just one country alone.

The 'error of phrasing' is deeply worrying, when you've got the person in charge of our response basically coming out with Islamophobic talking points that implied that only Christians in the region are peaceful. It shows ignorance of the last 5 years in the middle east where millions of Muslims, Christians, jews and atheists joined together to protest totalitarian governments

[Blair]

Governor Blair leaves for a trade visit to Japan

Press Statement

This morning Governor Blair departed for a 3 day trade trip to Japan to promote the Northeast as a global business hub. This trip will bring more jobs, more investment and more opportunities for the Northeast. In the fight for a stronger economy it's vital that the Northeast competes on the global stage. Governor Blair will still be available for contact, and will keep in touch with the Assembly

[Blair]

Governor Blair Press Comments.



Trade Visit to Japan

I was very proud to accompany several leading businessman from the Northeast for a trade visit to Japan where I meet mayors, government ministers, police officials, academics and business people to further our relations with Japan. Asia is set to become one of our major trading hubs, and it's always been my belief that the Northeast should promote itself as a vibrant region ready for investment. Combined with my Economic bailout I'm confident that trips like these will only help our economy bounce back.

Budget 

Yesterday after weeks of planning I released the Budget for the this term. I added in spending that had been previously overlooked to ensure that our accounts were accurate. For this reason there is added spending in the bill. I expect that the Northeast will continue to run a surplus, and I hope to pass another balanced budget whilst also cutting taxes for the poorest in our society along with a reduction in sales tax to help boost the economy. Once again this is showing how the Northeast is fighting back against the economic malaise that seems to be spreading across Atlasia. Only with an active, strong government is this possible.

Repeal Mandatory Art Act

I recently filled legislation that would repeal the Mandatory Arts Act, I did this alongside with my wider review of Education in the Northeast. I've always supported arts in school, and the promotion of a greater cultural involvement. It was just after coming across this bill that I thought it imposed a heavy handed, top down approach on all our schools in Atlasia. We should promote arts, but we shouldn't do it with mandatory lessons. I'd be open with amendments to this bill, but I still think that schools should have a sense of freedom

[Blair]

'I'd like to congratulate Enduro, Clarkkent, Clyde, RGN and Dkrol for their election to the Assembly. Likewise I'd like to thank poirot for running to allow all 5 to be able to serve. For this reason I've decided to introduce an amendment to the Northeast constitution reversing the decision to scale the number of seats down to 3. The Northeast is the most active region in Atlasia, and I hope this can continue. Along with the economic reforms, and budget I hope to spend the next month on political reform to ensure that the Northeast is the most competitive, and effective region in the game.''

Governor Blair

[Blair]

Mr. Governor, I would like to just take this moment to barge into you office unexpected. Before your security team shows up to kick me out, I'd like to just quickly demand that a large monument be constructed of me. Although I no longer live in the cold tundra of the Northeast, I believe that I still hold the title of longest serving Northeast Governor, and the pension checks just aren't cutting it anymore.

Thank you!

Something like this

[Blair]

'I'm delighted with the job figures released today that showed a 0.3% drop in Northeast unemployment over the last month. Whilst there is clearly a lot of work to do these figures show that the active work of the Northeast Government, along with the stimulus passed by the Assembly has clearly been a positive step for the Region. After the Holidays I intent to deliver another address to the Assembly to mark the new term. In this address I'll lay out the next stage of my economic plans to deliver on my pledge to deliver jobs, jobs and more jobs to the Northeast. Only with an active Northeast can we revive the economy. I hope everyone has a pleasant Christmas, and gets well rested for the New Year.''

[Blair]

Mr Governor,

   I'm willing to work with you in regards with the Heroine Epidemic in the Northeast and try to solve the problem. If you are not willing to work with me can the Northeast work to solve the issue that are killing our children, family members and citizens.

Mr Secretary of State I'd be more than willing to work with you, and the State department to tackle the issue. I'd want to consult the GM because as much as it's a pressing issue in RL, I've got no idea what the current scale of the problem is in Atlasia. We've got a completely different drug law to the USA (IIRC all drugs are de-criminalized , and are sold from certified businesses)

Even if that is the case I'd be happy to look at ways of expanding public health, and ensuring the Northeast Government has all the tools to tackle addiction