Mideast Assembly Thread

[RIP Robert H Bork]

aye

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I don't think we have more power, either. It's as far as we can get.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Aye

I'd just like to say that the Pacific is glad to know we have a friend in the Mideast Region.

Lots of them, actually.

Liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism and other ideologies aside: All Atlasians unite when one group attempts secession and civil war.

Actually, I think the SE is just still pissed they lost the last Civil War.

Virginia?

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Aye

I'd just like to say that the Pacific is glad to know we have a friend in the Mideast Region.

Lots of them, actually.

Liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism and other ideologies aside: All Atlasians unite when one group attempts secession and civil war.

Actually, I think the SE is just still pissed they lost the last Civil War.

Virginia?

Well, I see your point. I understand the entire Confederacy isn't in the SE, but all of the SE is in the old Confederacy (except NM and Puerto Rico, IIRC).

No.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I could support this, but I think the lieutenant governor ought to be elected on the same ticket.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I'll agree with most of the other posts here--I'll need some convincing as to why the position is necessary.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Aye!

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I'm not an assemblyman yet, but I'm thinking about proposing a bill when I get elected, cutting the burning of fossil fuels in the Mideast by 20%.
What do you think?

How are we to do it?

First, as A-Bob said, we don't know what timeframe you have in mind, and I have to second him in everything else he said also. Of course, I can't ask a lot of other questions without actually reading through the bill that you intend to propose.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

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^^^^^^^^^^
This monstrosity.

Indeed.  It is an awful restriction of individual liberty, and it's a terrible shame that our wonderful region has endorsed such awful legislation.

*FACEPALM*

Article VIII-Regional Budget

Section 1: Budgetary Procedure

1.  During each Gubernatorial term a budget shall be passed by the Assembly in regards to Regional spending.
2.  This budget shall include all regional spending which is not specifically addressed and set by previous legislation.
3.  All budgets should also address tax rates in the Mideast region.
4.  Following a gubernatorial veto of any budgetary legislation, the Assembly must establish a 2/3s marjority to override this veto, just as with any legislation.
5.  No further spending may be addressed by the Assebly until the passing of the regional budget.

Section 2: Budgetary Precedence

1.  Upon passage of the first budget, all previous laws in relation to spending shall be overridden unless specifically mandated by the budget.

This is what I have at present time.  Any ideas for what I can add?

So far, so good.

Do we actually think it possible to get a budget through every few months? Half the assembly's time would be on it...though it is VERY much needed

"During each gubernatorial term"...every 4 months, not 2.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I thank A-bob for encouraging me to run for speaker (it is the first time that I have ever expressed interest in the position), but:

1. it's obvious that I'd lose 3-2 to HappyWarrior, and
2. I don't actually have any objections to having HappyWarrior as speaker.

So, I must say that I won't run, and that I will let HappyWarrior be in charge for this session.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I'll start the debate then.

Don't we already have an animal protection act on the books? And if so, what is new in this bill?

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Also, I hope that we're not recognizing killing insects or pests as animal cruelty?

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Would everyone be open to beginning the vote now on the animal protection act?

No, at least not until after my questions are taken care of. Also, I think we need to consider what ben is saying, too.

Also, we ought to address what Inks said. I will draft legislation on this soon.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Abstain

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I don't get why the Lt. Governor post was removed. I also don't get why we need to restore it.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

aye

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Our efforts at game reform are simple, targeted, and the epitome of non-radical.

We seek to consolidate our Constitution and simplify our statute. These are two efforts that will help to fix the game's foundations, make it easier for newbies to enter and participate in the game, and give us the ability to fight for bigger changes down the line. There are years of clutter that we must fix, and this rests on you.

I know that Officepark is skeptical of calling a new ConCon, and I can only offer words I said before:

Absolutely not.

You don't support constitutional consolidation and statute cleanup? We're talking simple stuff here, dude.

We already toyed around with a consitutional convention a few presidencies ago. It was a disaster.

I'm not convinced that this one will be any more successful, nor that it is in any way desirable to begin with (just like the other one).

Do you listen to anything we say? I'm genuinely curious, because judging from what you're saying it's like you're hearing "ConCon" for the first time.

There are several key differences:

The last ConCon had no specific focus. Pretty much all the proposals were wild redesigns of the game, many of which I hated anyway, but all the proposals were seeking to find a completely different structure to the game, this one will not. The purpose of this ConCon, if we get it, is specifically for constitutional consolidation and only minor modification.

The last ConCon had little to no actual progress in writing new things. A few articles were written for proposals here and there, but this time, we actually have a draft.

The last ConCon involved way too many people. Almost all votes required a quorum, which we could never meet, because we loaded up the ConCon with a ridiculous number of delegates making running the thing and getting anything through it a logistical nightmare. With a pinch of luck, a new ConCon will have less people involved while still maintaining maximum outside imput from citizens.

We are not abolishing regions. We are not changing the game in any radical way. We have not drafted and will not draft an unrecognizable constitution. We will not have ~30 people involved in an official capacity. This is an effort to work within the system, cleaning up the foundation of the game so it is simpler and easier to acclimate to, and setting the stage for future battles that can make the game more interesting without working on the patchwork system we have now.

I think the mere phrase Constitutional Convention has become toxic.

Ugh, it's so true. People hear "Constitutional Convention" and automatically think "vast logistical nightmare composed of ~30 people trying to redesign the entire game that gets nothing done." What people fail to realize is how simple a ConCon really is, and how the structure of a ConCon is decided by the Senate each individual time.

This can work, and it can better the game for us all. So let's all work together to get it done. I ask the Mideast Assembly: Please, pass this petition.

There are also other reasons why I'm skeptical of a constitutional convention.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

In any case, I abstain (but I would have voted Nay previously)

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Aye.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

My fellow Assemblymen, in a few short moments I shall resign my current office and move on to become the next Secretary of External Affairs.  Before I leave, though, I would like to make a short farewell address, which I’m sure you all will not read

First off, I would like to thank Governor Inks for taking a chance and appointing me to the Assembly.  By giving me this job, he has allowed me to rehabilitate myself, going from ignominious felon to semi-respected statesman, and now a Cabinet officer.  I owe him a great debt; he is truly a Statesman.

Second, I want to congratulate you, my present and former colleagues.  You have made my tenure here very enjoyable, and have made this Assembly a truly great deliberative body.  I look forward to monitoring your debate on the budget, which I am sure will be very illuminating

And so, my friends, all that is left is for me to bid you adieu.  I wish you the best of luck – may Dave continue to watch over this blessed Assembly.

Adieu, Benjamin, and may you do well in your new position.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I feel clause 4 is unnecessary (although if it stays in, let's fix it so majority is spelled correctly ).

^^^^

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Anyone who would like to propose an amendment should feel free to do so.

Here:

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note: the last article in the current constitution is VI, so I changed VIII to VII. I'm iffy on sections 1.5 (1.4 in this version) and 2, but we'll have to debate some more on that first.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

I understand that it's accepted as friendly, then?

The main change was to strike down the 2/3 majority clause, which I don't think is necessary (see previous comments).

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Aye

[RIP Robert H Bork]

In accordance with Purple State, I say we keep accepting nominations for another two days before holding a vote on our regional delegate.