IDS1: Basic Compassion Act

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I don't think there is any "appears to" about it; it explicitly limits people to three years of welfare lifetime. While I agree that this isn't the best time, we could just insert a clause making the bill take effect once we have balanced the budget.

     Anyway, I would prefer to keep the underlying law, though I would be open to a few changes, such as making the limit be on continuous welfare. I would also like to define "family" for the purposes of this law. If we are going to be using it as a class of recipient, then we should be clear as to what we are talking about.

     For Section 2, I would like to make an exception for the cohabitance requirement in cases where the mother is married, or is legally emancipated. I also think we might want to provide full-time employment as an alternative to the schooling requirement. The current requirements seem to be defined from a somewhat narrow point of view.

     Section 5 is just bad. What constitutes a violation? Receiving benefits while ineligible? Applying for benefits while ineligible? Being ineligible? That section is incredibly vague, and potentially punitive for honest mistakes. I would like to see it defined more carefully and require specific intent to defraud as an element of the crime.

[Associate Justice PiT]

As far as welfare goes, I'd much prefer a policy that allows people to be on welfare as long as they are out looking for a job, as well as expansion of the EITC that stays with them even if they have a job.  I think this bill provides a nice opportunity to discuss the merits of our welfare policy, but I'd hope that we do more than just repeal the current law.

     Chronic unemployment is a serious problem that makes it harder to find a new job. If we are going to do something, then instead of just extending the term of welfare, I would suggest that we sponsor job training and contract for internships with companies in the region. Give the unemployed the tools needed to get back on their feet.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I'm planning on putting an amendment together. I should have it up either tonight or tomorrow. Just putting this out there so people know that I haven't forgotten about this matter.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Thanks for that, man.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     We have about $30 billion budgeted, whereas the federal government has a base of over $500 billion with more certainly having been passed in Atlasia. Considering that we have about a quarter of the population, the federal government is presumably outspending us by over 4:1 on welfare in our own region. There are also local programs in the mix.

     I doubt that we have the means to be efficacious in that area, especially in light of our budget deficit. I think that we can be more effective within our means by seeking to occupy a different niche. One way is by providing people with employment assistance, as I have outlined.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Our region has a $30 billion welfare budget, which is where the cuts would be coming from. I am suggesting this in large part because the breakdown on the Spending site gives me the impression that our welfare programs are mostly just smaller time versions of the federal welfare programs. We could probably make more of an impact by spending less money but putting it in places where there is less assistance already, such as work education and Scott's housing proposal.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     By my estimate, this will save us $22.7 billion. We are about $22.97 billion in the red, so we will come very close to even by passing this bill.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Extremely support. I move to vote! Let's get this passed before we get further down in the red!

     Your term expired in January.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Emperor, with all due respect, no I was up for re-election in December; two months previous was October, when I was elected. It's my third month being in this seat right here!

Anyways Scott, that's what I was trying to say....

Sir, you are not currently serving in this body. You were up for re-election in January, and SupersonicVenue, Scott, and Jbrase were elected to fill the three at-large seats at that time. In the December election myself and Small L were elected.

We can move to a final vote tomorrow.

WTH? Okay I guess I'll run for legislature again this month.

     We changed to districts for the upcoming class of seats, so at this point you would be facing off against Legislator Small L. We still need someone to declare for the other district.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Emperor, with all due respect, no I was up for re-election in December; two months previous was October, when I was elected. It's my third month being in this seat right here!

Anyways Scott, that's what I was trying to say....

Sir, you are not currently serving in this body. You were up for re-election in January, and SupersonicVenue, Scott, and Jbrase were elected to fill the three at-large seats at that time. In the December election myself and Small L were elected.

We can move to a final vote tomorrow.

WTH? Okay I guess I'll run for legislature again this month.

     We changed to districts for the upcoming class of seats, so at this point you would be facing off against Legislator Small L. We still need someone to declare for the other district.

No need; I moved.

     I'm glad that we have a District 2 candidate now, though I would still like to see a contested election emerge. Well, time will tell.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Well it looks like Jack is ending his campaign, so we need someone in District 2 again. This is riveting.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I aim to accommodate. If you just say "I am running for the Imperial Legislature this month", I'll be sure to list you in the correct district.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     This is the kind of bill I like to see. Good job getting this passed.



     On the Basic Compassion Act: by the powers vested in me as Emperor of this region, I thus sign it into law.

     Be it resolved, X Emperor PiT