Northeast Assembly Thread

[Cincinnatus]

The Voluntary School Prayer Act

A BILL that will ensure religious freedom by allotting students one minute for prayer before classes

1. All schools shall schedule one minute per day for non-led student prayer, before or after students recite the Pledge of Allegiance

2. In no way shall teachers or school administrators influence how a student prays, or endorse any particular religious faith or view

3. Students who do not wish to partake in prayer may refrain from doing so

This is the first piece of legislation introduced under the new session.  If any laws under the last session were skipped due to the election, feel free to re-introduce them.

Debate will last 48 hours.

[Cincinnatus]

Success, finally.. Now I can soon proceed to take some Nyquil and sleep away this sickness.  I hope those uninvited guests I had earlier go home with the flu..that will teach them

As to the bill;

Not sure a minute is going to make any difference here.  Perhaps we would be better off encouraging our students to keep and open mind about religion in general, while focusing on what should be studied in school (Math, science, foreign languages, and practical classes.)  I respect freedom of religion, but I don't really care to say all of our schools need to conduct a minute of prayer.  Can these children not use a minute at home for school-led prayer?  I don't really oppose the purpose of this bill.  I just find it rather unnecessary.  Unless, of course, you can explain to me how this is to have a notable positive benefit?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I find it useless; students have a ton of free time to do what they want, even during school.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

May I inquire as to current Northeast laws respecting the freedom of students, such as Muslims, who have to pray at certain times of day to do so? If they're not currently free to do so, I believe that we should take the opportunity to change that now and would support an amendment to the effect that schools must provide opportunities for any time-mandated prayer in accordance with the student's faith. If this is already provided for by Northeast law, I see no reason why this bill is at all necessary, though it's certainly not a bad thing by any means.

[tpfkaw]

I would like to introduce an amendment to change the word "shall" in the first clause to "may."

[Cincinnatus]

Assemblyman Scott, you have the ability to consider the gentleman's amendment friendly before debate ends.  If you don't consider the Gentleman's amendment friendly before debate ends, the amendment in question will come to a vote.

I would like to introduce an amendment to change the word "shall" in the first clause to "may."

As to the amendment;  This little change makes me view the bill more favorably.  I certainly don't wish to tell schools they MUST have prayer.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

The amendment is friendly.

I proposed this bill because I believe it would respect a student's right to pray freely, if he or she wishes to.  Schools should not be allowed to deny this right.  If you would like, I would probably support an amendment permitting prayer for Muslim students at certain times of the day.

On a side-note, sorry for coming back here late.  Week-long power outage...

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I'd like to propose an amendment altering Section 1 to read:

All schools shall allow any student the opportunity for non-led student prayer in accordance with the student's religious beliefs, and may schedule one additional minute per day for non-led student prayer, before or after students recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I'd like to propose an amendment altering Section 1 to read:

All schools shall allow any student the opportunity for non-led student prayer in accordance with the student's religious beliefs, and may schedule one additional minute per day for non-led student prayer, before or after students recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Friendly.

[Cincinnatus]

Time for debate has ended.

The amendments were considered friendly.

The Assembly will now vote on the final bill.  This vote will last 24 hours.

The Voluntary School Prayer Act

A BILL that will ensure religious freedom by allotting students one minute for prayer before classes

1. All schools shall allow any student the opportunity for non-led student prayer in accordance with the student's religious beliefs, and may schedule one additional minute per day for non-led student prayer, before or after students recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. In no way shall teachers or school administrators influence how a student prays, or endorse any particular religious faith or view

3. Students who do not wish to partake in prayer may refrain from doing so

[tpfkaw]

Aye

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye

[Username MechaRFK]

Nay

Pray before you get to school and before the bell rings.

[Simfan34]

I will like to inform that I, due to unforeseen circumstances, will have to extend my leave for another week. I will be available, however, to break ties and the like.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Aye

[Cincinnatus]

Aye

[Cincinnatus]

On the previous questions the Ayes are 4 and Nays are 1.  The bill is passed.

The Assembly will now consider the Constitution written by the Senator from CT;

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=138801.0

Debate will last 48 hours.

[Cincinnatus]

I believe this constitution would be a giant leap for this region.  Our current system is flawed in this region, and this new constitution addresses several key issues.  I hope that those who may be in minor disagreement with specific minor details, propose amendments to voice their disapproval, however, I sincerely hope we can all come together to fix our region, and ensure a better foundation for democracy.

If I have any issue with the text, it is moving the capital, which is of minor consequence in relation to the benefits I envision from the entirety of this proposal.  If someone introduces an amendment to alter the capital (back to NY), I will support it.  Otherwise, unless an issue I'm unaware of is brought up, I fully expect this to pass if we're truly determined to govern effectively.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Mostly everything looks good, except I'm not so sure about one part.

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Would this make progressive taxation and welfare unconstitutional?  If it does, I'll propose an amendment making them not so.

[Napoleon]

Mostly everything looks good, except I'm not so sure about one part.

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Would this make progressive taxation and welfare unconstitutional?  If it does, I'll propose an amendment making them not so.

No. It would not.

I might suggest increasing debate time for this.

[Username MechaRFK]

Change my vote to Aye.

[Cincinnatus]

Change my vote to Aye.

Changing your vote to Aye on what exactly..?  

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Motion to extend debate on the Constitution to 120 hours.

[Cincinnatus]

The Gentleman from CT has motioned to extend debate to 120 hours. 

The Assembly will vote Aye or Nay on this motion.  Abstentions and absences will be consider a Nay vote.  Voting will last 24 hours, or until all members of this Assembly have voted.

[Cincinnatus]

Aye on the motion.