Mideast Assembly Thread

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm glad to see my labor bill passed.  It's not as strong as I had hoped it would be, but unfortunately I did not have the time to really work on getting a stronger bill passed.  Hopefully I'll have time in the next session to get more legislation passed, better defining exactly what labor laws exist, and getting more stringent and defined penalties onto the books.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

But instead of just paying 1 penalty, they pay 2 now, so while it may have weakened the bill in areas, it strengthened it in others.  I think it's a pretty good bill.

It's a good bill, which is why I voted for it.  I didn't have any objections strong enough to provoke a negative vote; if I'm reelected, though, I intend to go back to work on an overall tougher bill, and hopefully one which clearly defines our labor laws, to clear up any questions Mideastern businesses may have.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Technically, Inks, as Dean, I'm supposed to do this, but it all works out in the end.

On that point, I nominate Inks to be the next Speaker.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Return of Rhetoric Bill

Article I: All students grades 9-12 in public schools in the Mideast shall be required to take at least three years of debate and speech classes.
Article II: All schools in the Mideast that currently offer debate and speech classes will receive a 5% tax exemption from the Mideastern Government for the upcoming tax year.
Article III: All schools that cannot afford to have debate and speech classes will receive a subsidy from the Mideastern Government to hire teachers and buy supplies.
Article IV: Those funds will be paid for by reducing the amount the Mideast spends on education vouchers.
Article V: This bill will go into effect with the 2010-2011 school year.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Really, Ben?

The skills learned in debate and speech (research, logic, public speaking, etc) are invaluable in the adult world.  Students should learn these skills early, so they can use them in adulthood.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Wouldn't a reasonable compromise be to require debate and speech be included as an element in already mandatory English classes, as we have it in Sweden, where debate and speech is a part of Swedish class?

I could completely agree to that.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Return of Rhetoric Bill

Article I: Debate and speech shall be a mandatory part of the English curriculum for Mideastern students grades 9-12.
Article II: All schools that cannot afford to pay for materials in debate and speech shall receive a subsidy from the Mideastern Government.
Article III: These subsidies shall be paid for by an gasoline tax increase of 2%.
Article IV: This bill shall go into effect for the 2010-2011 school year.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

what materials for debate in poor schools will cause a 2% gas tax increase?

Text books, resources, things like that.  If we can do it with less than 2%, let's amend it; I just needed to put a number in there.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm not sure where I stand on the tax increase.  On the one hand, I'd say schools are strapped for cash.  On the other hand, when we did our segment on debate in my English class, we didn't use a textbook for it.  I really don't see the need for a textbook for the debate part of the curriculum, unless Ben you have evidence that would show otherwise?

There are books available; my school used one written by two former coaches; there's also the need for research, most of which costs money.  This would help the schools that choose to actually field teams, rather than just teach it as a unit in a class.  I'm willing to remove Sections 2 and 3, if they are preventing passage of the bill.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Okay then.  I'll motion to strike sections 2 and 3.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Just so you'll keep it in mind for possible legislation, later:

Please don't think that all schools are adequately funded. Many are struggling to afford new textbooks, or to simply offer extracurricular activities. One certain department that has taken large hits is fine arts. For example, band, chorus, and art classes are either being eliminated from schools, or having their funding severely cut.

Anyways, keep it in mind.  

Luckily, being in public education myself, I have this in the forefront of my mind.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Aww, all that nifty math for nothing?

I'd have liked to keep it, but passing the bill is more important.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Perhaps you should introduce a separate bill with the gas tax, and have the money go into a simple education fund?

I will, once we deal with HappyWarrior's bill, and my bill.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Infrastructure Renovation Act

1.  The Mideast government shall undertake an extensive survey of all existing Mideast infrastructure, determining the condition of all existing infrastructure.  The report shall determine if any infrastructure is in need of renovation, and shall specify exactly what renovation is necessary.
2.  Following the completion of this report, the Mideast shall appropriate whatever funds are necessary to complete all the required renovations specified in the report.  The renovations shall begin as soon as possible following the completion of the report.
3.  The funding for the renovations shall come from increases on the gas, sales, and property taxes in the Mideast ranging from 1-3% each depending on the required funding for renovations.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Based on the recent infrastructure collapse in West Virginia, and the repeated warnings from the GM, I'd say it's more than necessary.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

What's R&D?

Research and development, I assume.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

AYE.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Can I present another bill even though we are not done voting on this current amendment?

I believe my infrastructure bill is next on the docket.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Of course, go ahead   I just wanted to make sure my bill didn't get lost.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Is there any crossover between the 2 bills that people like?  Do people want to go with mine or Ben's, or a hybrid?  I'll open debate on both bills at the same time - basically anything covered under infrastructure, feel free to discuss it now...

I would be perfectly fine with combining the two bills, especially since yours puts funding into place immediately, while mine would delay things for a report to come out.