Northeast Assembly Thread

[cinyc]

Welcome back - I hope you all had a good holiday season!

The Northeast Assembly is back in session to discuss who to recommend to fill the Lt. Governor vacancy.  The manner in which we decide (first-past-the-post, PR-STV, some other way) is also open to debate.

For reference, Article IV, Section viii of the New Northeast Constitution states:

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The debate period will be open until at least 8PM on Tuesday, December 29, unless we otherwise agree to cut off or extend debate pursuant to the SOAP.

The floor is open.

[cinyc]

Mr. Speaker, if I may:

I would like to offer forward my recommendation of our former Speaker, Mr. Smid, to Governor Andrew CT for the position of Lt. Governor.

Noted. 

Perhaps we should wait to see if there are more  nominees before deciding what vote count method to use - but does anyone have a preference?

[cinyc]

I nominate segwaystyle2012 and I think we should use a single vote system, with no changes once cast.

Noted.

It probably doesn't matter if there are only two candidates.  We generally haven't allowed vote changes in the Assembly once cast - though that perhaps is due to the fact that no one has changed their vote after it was cast in a meaningful vote.

[cinyc]

I nominate Antonio V, as well.

Now that Antonio V has seconded Smid's nomination, does he really want to be on that ballot - or do Smid and segway style for that matter?

The only problem I have with your voting proposal is that there's no one to break a tie.  If there's a tie, what the heck are we going to do?

[cinyc]

I nominate Antonio V, as well.

Now that Antonio V has seconded Smid's nomination, does he really want to be on that ballot - or do Smid and segway style for that matter?

The only problem I have with your voting proposal is that there's no one to break a tie.  If there's a tie, what the heck are we going to do?

ties would be a problem with any voting system

In a three-way race, a tie or plurality victory is more likely if we use your plan instead of PR-STV.

In any case, what we do in the case of a tie needs to be thought out.  I suppose we could revote or perhaps send both names.

[cinyc]

Yeah, sorry.  I'm gonna go ahead and resign.  My return was grand and thanks for the support, but I can't get into this stuff again.  It just doesn't do it for me.

Thank you for your service.  I will inform the governor (if you haven't already) so that he can name your replacement.

[cinyc]

The appointment is up to Governor AndrewCT.  You should be telling him this, by PM or in the Governors' office thread.   We in the Assembly have no say about who the governor appoints to fill a vacant Assembly seat.

[cinyc]

The appointment is up to Governor AndrewCT.  You should be telling him this, by PM or in the Governors' office thread.   We in the Assembly have no say about who the governor appoints to fill a vacant Assembly seat.

my apologies.

There's no need to apologize.  The governor simply may not see your interest if it's only expressed on the Assembly thread - that should have been my main point.

[cinyc]

With only two declared candidates, the Assembly shall determine who to recommend to the vacant Lt. Governorship in a first-past-the-post vote - so please just vote for one candidate.  No other method was proposed and seconded, so there's no need to put the method to a vote.  As in federal elections, your initial vote can only be edited within the first 20 minutes.  Any vote edited after 20 minutes will be void. 

The vote will be held open until the earlier of 8:00PM on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, or when all 7 sitting Northeast Representatives have voted.



The question shall now be put to a vote:

The Northeast Assembly recommends that Governor AndrewCT appoint the following Northeast citizen Lt. Governor:

[  ]  segwaystyle2012 (GaryJohnson2012)
[  ]  Smid
[  ]  Write in:_________________________

[cinyc]

The Northeast Assembly recommends that Governor AndrewCT appoint the following Northeast citizen Lt. Governor:

[  ]  segwaystyle2012 (GaryJohnson2012)
[X]  Smid
[  ]  Write in:_________________________

[cinyc]

By a vote of 3 in favor of Smid to 2 in favor of segwaystyle2012, with 1 declared abstention and 1 Northeast Representative not voting, the Northeast Assembly recommends that Governor AndrewCT appoint Smid the next Lt. Governor.



I will convey this information to the Governor.

Is there a motion to adjourn for the New Years' holiday until 8:00PM on Sunday, January 3, 2010, or shall we consider the first piece of legislation? 

[cinyc]

Consider legislation! The first piece was already started anyway

I don't want to hold a vote on New Years' Day, which is what would happen were I to put something on the floor tonight.  I'd actually prefer to adjourn until the 3rd.

[cinyc]

Since I do not have unanimous consent to adjourn, we shall consider the first piece of legislation in the queue:

Anti-Discrimination Act

1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

Sponsor: Rep. Hamilton

The question is whether the Bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate on this bill will continue until at least 8:30PM Eastern on Friday, January 1, 2010, unless the debate period is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The Sponsor, Representative Alexander Hamilton, has the floor.

[cinyc]

Anything in specific that the NE Assembly would like from the GM?

I'm personally waiting on the diesel tax differential analysis.  By law, we're going to have to phase out highway tolls and replace them with a gas tax in the upcoming year.

[cinyc]

Motion to amend.

Anti-Discrimination Act

1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

What's the purpose of this now-unfriendly amendment, i.e., what's the difference?

[cinyc]

If you tell me what you're planning, I can definitely do this. I have a fair idea of what you're referring to (a tax to bring diesel and gasoline consumption to parity) and I assume this is what you would like to respond to? So you're asking how much diesel fuel taxes should increase to equate it with the tax that will be levied on gasoline?

Yes.  The question is if we raise non-agricultural diesel taxes by an amount, say 1 cent more per gallon than unleaded gasoline taxes, would we get an equal amount in revenue?

For example:
FY2010: Gasoline 2.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 3.1 cents (instead of all at 2.6 cents)
FY2011: Gasoline 5.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 6.1 cents (instead of all at 5.6 cents)
FY2012: Gasoline 8.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 9.1 cents (instead of all at 8.6 cents)
FY2013: Gasoline 11.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 12.1 cents (instead of all at 11.6 cents)
FY2014: Gasoline 14.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 15.1 cents (instead of all at 14.6 cents)

Or does the differential need to be a bit higher or lower?

Many US states have differentials to make trucks pay a bit more - which makes some sense since larger vehicles tend to cause more wear and tear to the roads.

[cinyc]

If you tell me what you're planning, I can definitely do this. I have a fair idea of what you're referring to (a tax to bring diesel and gasoline consumption to parity) and I assume this is what you would like to respond to? So you're asking how much diesel fuel taxes should increase to equate it with the tax that will be levied on gasoline?

Yes.  The question is if we raise non-agricultural diesel taxes by an amount, say 1 cent more per gallon than unleaded gasoline taxes, would we get an equal amount in revenue?

For example:
FY2010: Gasoline 2.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 3.1 cents (instead of all at 2.6 cents)
FY2011: Gasoline 5.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 6.1 cents (instead of all at 5.6 cents)
FY2012: Gasoline 8.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 9.1 cents (instead of all at 8.6 cents)
FY2013: Gasoline 11.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 12.1 cents (instead of all at 11.6 cents)
FY2014: Gasoline 14.1 cents; Non-Agricultural Diesel 15.1 cents (instead of all at 14.6 cents)

Or does the differential need to be a bit higher or lower?

Many US states have differentials to make trucks pay a bit more - which makes some sense since larger vehicles tend to cause more wear and tear to the roads.

Are you looking for equal revenue or parity in use? Because diesel engines provide more miles per gallon, so you would want to tax them more to ensure you are taxing driving, rather than fuel consumption. It would take quite a bit more than that to achieve equal revenue. I can include all of this in an analysis so you can make your own decisions.

I'm looking for equal revenue.

Technically, we're supposed to vote on whatever the commission concludes - so we really can't make our own decision.

[cinyc]

I ask for a vote on the three proposed Amendments.

As required under the SOAP, there will be a vote on all FOUR proposed unfriendly amendments (and any others), unless withdrawn, at the end of the debate period.  The debate period ends on Friday, January 1 at 8:30PM.  A vote on the amendments will take place then until 8:30PM January 2.  A vote on the bill, as amended (if any pass), will take place starting Saturday, January 2.

I agree on striking class - it's not defined by Atlasian or Northeast law.  

[cinyc]

We are to vote on four amendments deemed unfriendly by the bill's sponsor, Rep. Hamilton.   This vote will remain open until 8:30PM on January 2, 2010, or all Representatives have voted.  Please specify you vote on each by Number and Sponsor, as provided in the form below.

Proposed Amendment 1 (Rep. Mr. Moderate):
1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

Proposed Amendment 2 (Rep. Doctor Cynic):
1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, class, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

Proposed Amendment 3 (Rep. Sewer Socialist):
1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, smell, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, smell, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, smell, religion, and disability status.

Proposed Amendment 4 (Rep. Kalwjet):
1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, class socioeconomic status, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class, socioeconomic status, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, class socioeconomic status, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

Official Ballot
Amendment 1 (Rep. Mr. Moderate):
Amendment 2 (Rep. Doctor Cynic):
Amendment 3 (Rep. Sewer Socialist):
Amendment 4 (Rep. Kalwjet):

[cinyc]

Amendment 1 (Rep. Mr. Moderate): Nay
Amendment 2 (Rep. Doctor Cynic): Nay
Amendment 3 (Rep. Sewer Socialist): Nay
Amendment 4 (Rep. Kalwjet): Nay

I would have voted for Amendment 4 had it just struck class and not substituted socioeconomic status.   It's still too vague.

[cinyc]

I'm tabling this. That means it is removed from the floor.

You can't do that right now.  We're in the middle of a vote.

[cinyc]

I'm tabling this. That means it is removed from the floor.

You can't do that until the amendment vote is final.

Okay, fine. But if any of the first three amendments pass, consider this tabled by the sponsor.

Noted.  That is your right as sponsor under Section 3(e) of the SOAP.   

Arguably, I have the power to table it right now and move on to the next bill, but I prefer not to do so before all Northeast Representatives have had an opportunity to vote on the proposed amendments.  Plus, I don't want to go off-schedule in introducing new bills and votes at a semi-sane hour (around 8PM Eastern) instead of creeping into the wee hours of the morning Eastern time.

[cinyc]

Order! Why didn't we have this debate BEFORE the vote?  

Last I checked, Doctor Cynic has legislation in the queue addressing obesity issues - so any claims that he hasn't addressed the issue in separate legislation are incorrect.

The proposed amendments are still on the floor, as Rep. Mr. Moderate has yet to vote.  This vote will not close until the earlier of 8:30PM or when Rep. Mr. Moderate has voted.  Rep. Hamilton will then be entitled to withdraw the bill, if he wishes, under Section 3(e) of the SOAP.

The proposed amendments CANNOT be withdrawn at this point, since they are currently being voted upon.

[cinyc]

By a vote of 5-3, Proposed Amendments 1 (Rep. Mr. Moderate) and 2 (Rep. Doctor Cynic) pass.
By a vote of 1-7, Proposed Amendment 3 (Rep. Sewer Socialist) fails.
By a vote of 6-2, Proposed Amendment 4 (Rep. Kalwejt) passes.

The final bill on the floor, as amended, reads as follows:
Anti-Discrimination Act

1. The Northeast Government pledges to uphold the rights of all citizens regardless of race, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
2. The Northeast Government will hereby refuse government contracts to any company or organization which is found to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.
3. The Northeast Government, in hiring, and in representation, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, sexuality, size, ethnicity, religion, and disability status.

However, as Rep. Hamilton has decided to withdraw the bill, it shall not proceed to a final vote.

[cinyc]

The next item up for bid is:

Pornography and Age of Consent Act of 2010

An act to liberalise laws restricting sexual activity and to amend the Pornography and Age of Consent Act of 2005

1.   In accordance with the federal Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act of 2009, All individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.

2.   All those persons of 14 years of age or older not incarcerated for crimes shall have the right to give consent to engage in sexual acts with other persons of 14 years up to the age of 21 years.

3.   Any person of 21 years of age or older who engages in a sexual act with a person of 14 years of age or younger is guilty of statutory rape.

Sponsor: Rep. Hamilton

The question is whether the Bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate on this bill will continue until at least 2:50PM Eastern on Monday, January 4, 2010, unless the debate period is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The Sponsor, Representative Alexander Hamilton, has the floor.