Welfare Reform Bill 2009 (On the President's Desk)

[MasterJedi]

Welfare Reform Bill 2009

Section 1

Atlasians receiving public assistance will be allotted a two year maximum with the following exceptions:
• a. Disability
• b. Perpetual care of dependent
• c. Those undertaking vocational training, who shall be allowed a three year maximum

Section 2

Section 8 housing vouchers:
• a. Maximum two years unrestricted with the following exceptions:
§ i. Disability
§ ii. Over the age of 65
§ iii. Veteran permanently disabled on military duty
• b. Housing shall be rented at the average market value for rent given a two-block radius and the same accommodations.
• c. Anyone convicted of a felony shall be removed from the program.
• d. Any minor problems such as noise violations, unkempt property that is the fault of the tenant, or generally disruptive needing a police presence shall be given one warning.

Section 3

Any able-bodied Atlasian on public assistance and not currently working shall be required to do 20 hours of community service plus 20 hours of job searching and/or interviews; or they shall be eligible to undertake a vocational training course (either college or work-based or a combination of the two) of 30 hours per week. For any shortfall below 30 hours per week, they shall be required to do community service depending on the total time spent in vocational training.

Section 4

Any able-bodied Atlasian on public assistance and not currently working, who express an interest in a vocational training course, must specify the occupation or skill in which they wish to train which will be permitted providing the course does not exceed three years maximum in duration

Section 5

a. Any person who is unemployed has a right to seek employment through private and voluntary third sector organisations involved in organising and running 'back to work' programmes.

b. Job seekers can choose to register with a third sector employment provider if government services have been unsuccessful in helping them find work after six weeks of registered unemployment.

c. Government employment providers may contract third sector employment providers by competitive tender to provide skills training, assistance and work placements.

d. The rights of individuals to seek government assistance or intervention at any stage of 'back to work' programmes shall be upheld.

Section 6

An initial amount of $1.5bn shall be appropriated from the Department of the Treasury (Labor Sub-Department) in the Fiscal Year 2009 to provide funding for such vocational training, as specified in Clause Three. The Senate will review this funding on an annual basis and set it at an amount at which it may deem appropriate.
Spon: Sen. Afleitch

[MasterJedi]

Ok, this is the first amendment in this set to change this part. I hereby open up the vote on this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[MasterJedi]

Nay, I will support a reduction to 5 like NCY says. Otherwise it's really impractical.

[MasterJedi]

With 2 Ayes, 6 Nays and 0 Abstentions this amendment has failed.

[MasterJedi]

This is the next amendment. I'll open up the vote tomorrow morning.

Amendment offered to Section 3:

Section 3

Any able-bodied Atlasian on public assistance and not currently working shall be required to do 20 hours of community service plus 15 hours of job searching and/or interviews; or they shall be eligible to undertake a vocational training course (either college or work-based or a combination of the two) of 25 hours per week. For any shortfall below 25 hours per week, they shall be required to do job searching and/or interviews depending on the total time spent in vocational training.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up a vote on the amendment below. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Nay, I prefer 5 hours.

[MasterJedi]

With 2 Ayes, 5 Nays and 1 Abstention this amendment has failed.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up the vote at this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Nay

[MasterJedi]

With 1 Aye, 5 Nays and 1 Abstention this amendment has failed.

[MasterJedi]

I like this Senate's legislative skill. Nay to lowering/tinkering, Nay to altering the two to compensate the other, Nay to abolishing it.

What do you people want?

I'm supporting NC Yankee's amendment. That's what I want at least.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up a vote on this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Aye

[MasterJedi]

With 5 Ayes, 1 Nay and 0 Abstentions this amendment has passed.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up the final vote on this bill. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Aye

[MasterJedi]

This bill has enough votes to pass. Senators now have 24 hours to change their votes.

[MasterJedi]

With 6 Ayes, 3 Nays and 0 Abstentions this bill has passed. I hereby present it to the President for his signature.