Amendment to Allow the Senate to Set a Minimum Wage

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Scratch that pre-emptive 'Aye' vote on my part. I'm having a bad day (real-life stuff)

However, there's no question of my opposing any amendment which would permit the Senate establishing a federal minimum wage because it is my firm conviction that there should be one, which is why I never liked the Bono vs Atlasia II Supreme Court ruling, which struck the Fair Wage Act down

I motion to strike the text as it stands and replace with:

The Senate shall have power to to set a minimum wage, as it deems necessary throughout the Republic of Atlasia.

For the reasons you have stated, Senator, your motion makes sense and it's my intention to support it

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

So, can anyone give me a reason why this shoudln't be done by the regions?

It will allow the Senate to establish a federal minimum standard - a threshold of decency

I applaud the my esteemed colleagues for passing this Amendment

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

The whole amendment didn't pass, just Peter's amendment to it.

Well, I applaud my esteemed colleagues for passing Peter's amendment to it then

It will take me a little time to get familiar with Senate legislative procedures

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

So, can anyone give me a reason why this shoudln't be done by the regions?

It will allow the Senate to establish a federal minimum standard - a threshold of decency

Well can you give me the reason why this "thereshold of decensy" must be applied at the most centralized level possible?

If it was left to the regions, and them alone, there could be too much a variation in the minimum wage between regions. I'd like to think that a federal minimum wage would avoid that

Still, I understand that, should this amendment pass, and the proposed Bill be subsequently passed and signed into law, the regions will still be permitted to set their own minium wage higher (but not lower) than the national standard. True, this would permit variation between regions but it's not unreasonable given that regions might wish to set it to a higher level to reflect the cost of living

It's a reasonable Amendment, and since I'm a reasonable man, who seeks to represent the best interests of the hard working Atlasians of District 4 and wider Atlasia, I wholeheartedly support it

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

So, it is reasonable that regions may want to set a higher minimum wage to reflect a higher cost of living, but it isn't reasonabe that regions may want to set a lower minimum wage to reflect a lower cost of living?
What about different municipalities? What about if the people of one region  don't want to settle a minimum wage at all? Why deny them that right? Or do you just believe in the democratic process when you like its outcomes?

In the first place, the Fair Minimum Wage Bill would propose that the minimum wage be set at $7.40 for those 18 or over and $5.75 for those 15-17. If that's excessive than I'm Margaret Thatcher

I believe in the democratic process whether the outcome is to my liking or not. There's no guarantee this amendment, if passed by the Senate, will be ratified. I'll be wholeheartedly supporting this amendment and opposing any reactionary effort against it

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Furthermore, KEmperor, I was refering to the Sen. Gabu's proposed Fair Minimum Wage Bill, which would be next step - as far as a minimum wage is concerned - for consideration by the Senate in the event of the Amendment being passed and then ratified

I believe the minimum wage rates specified in this Bill are reasonable. Of course, you can agree to differ

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Nay.  I don't have anything wrong with Peter's idea, but I fear too many people will try to use this as a way to do what Hawk is talking about and force the Region's to adopt high minimum wages.

There is nothing to fear

'Hawk'