Northeast Assembly Thread

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

A gas tax would cripple transportation and commerce.

I'm in favor of either Segway OR Gramps' amendments.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

A gas tax also hurts the working poor and middle class more than tolls would.  Granted some need to take the toll roads to get to work, but there is no question all of them need gas to get to their jobs if they don't take public transportation.  Increased gas taxes will even affect those taking public transportation since public transit will pass the increase along to the consumers.

[cinyc]

FYI - A lot of the toll revenue in NYC and the big cities goes toward mass transit, not roads.  So we will have drivers outside of the cities subsidizing mass transit in the cities if the bill passes.

[cinyc]

We will now vote on the two proposed amendments:


Amendment 1: Amendment to replace the Northeast Free Highway Access Act of 2009 Implementation Bill with the following:

"1.  The Free Highway Access Act of 2009 is repealed.   

2. The Northeast Region shall form a commission to study and revise the toll structure".
------
Amendment 2:
1.  The Free Highway Access Act of 2009 is repealed.   

2.  The Northeast Region shall eliminate all tolls from public roads by 31 August 2010.

3.  The Northeast Region shall tax all used vehicle sales at 3% to cover road maintenance costs.
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The vote on the amendments will be open until 10:10PM on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, unless all Representatives shall have voted sooner.  If both pass, we'll have to figure out what to do probably a run-off.

For clarity, please specify your votes by Amendment Number, i.e.

Amendment 1: aye/nay/abstain
Amendment 2: aye/nay/abstain

[segwaystyle2012]

1. Abstain
2. Aye

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Amendment 1 -  Aye

Amendment 2 -  Nay

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Amendment 2 - Aye

Amendment 1 - Aye

[cinyc]

Amendment 1: Nay
Amendment 2: Nay

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Amendment 1: Aye

Amendment 2: Nay

[cinyc]

By a vote of 3-1 with 1 abstention, 1 excused absence, and 4 unexcused absences, Amendment 1 passes.
By a vote of 2-3 with 1 excused absence, and 4 unexcused absence, Amendment 2 fails.
Since both amendments didn't pass, we will proceed to a vote on final passage of the bill, as amended by Rep. Grumpy Gramps' Amendment 1:

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This vote will remain open until 10:15PM on Thursday, March 11, 2010, unless all Representatives shall have voted before then.  That's doubtful, given half the Assembly didn't bother to vote on the amendments.

[cinyc]

Please note that the Atlasian Supreme Court has decided that Lt. Governor and Northeast Assemblyman Libertas cannot hold both positions.  He will be required to choose one or the other within 72 hours, or be deemed to vacate his Assembly seat.

[segwaystyle2012]

Abstain

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Amendment 1:Aye

Amendment 2: Aye

[cinyc]

Amendment 1:Aye

Amendment 2: Aye

The amendment vote is closed.  We're now voting on final passage of the bill (which is Amendment 1, since it won a majority).  A simple aye or nay will do.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Amendment 1:Aye

Amendment 2: Aye

The amendment vote is closed.  We're now voting on final passage of the bill (which is Amendment 1, since it won a majority).  A simple aye or nay will do.

Ooh, sorry.

Aye

[cinyc]

Nay

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Aye

[cinyc]

By a vote of 3-1 with 1 express abstention, 1 excused absence (or resignation) and 3 unexcused absences, the Northeast Free Highway Access Act of 2009 Implementation Bill passes and will be sent to the governor for his signature or veto.

Next bill:

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Sponsor: Rep. segwaystyle 2012

The question is whether the bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate on this bill will continue until at least 10:15PM Eastern on Saturday, March 13, 2010, unless the debate period is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The Sponsor, Representative segwaystyle2012, has the floor.

[segwaystyle2012]

My reasons for introducing this are many but the core issue here is that public employee unions strangle our government to the breaking point and there growing power is a threat to our budget and fiscal sustainability.

Public jobs aren't meant to be cushy $150k a year for correctional offices anywhere this side of California, yet alone massive pensions and health benefits. It's out of control. Government jobs are much more insulated from market tension than private employment. The trade-off is job security vs. higher pay. Public jobs are more secure and currently pay more, which is extremely backward.

[cinyc]

Rep. Doctor Cynic has now missed votes on the final passage of 3 consecutive pieces of legislation.  I will inform the governor. 

Rep. Silent Spade has missed the past 2 votes without posting a leave of absence; Rep. Kalwejt missed this vote.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I feel really ashamed by that. First missed vote.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I feel really ashamed by that. First missed vote.

Don't sweat it friend, no one questions your dedication.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Back to debate on the bill....honestly, I'm speechless.  I'm not a union fan but this is over the top.

Not requiring members to belong to a union is one thing.......not allowing unions at all is quite another.

Even right to work states don't outlaw unions....

I'll be voting, Nay.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Back to debate on the bill....honestly, I'm speechless.  I'm not a union fan but this is over the top.

Not requiring members to belong to a union is one thing.......not allowing unions at all is quite another.

Even right to work states don't outlaw unions....

I'll be voting, Nay.

Why not offer an amendment to the bill to make it less extreme?