The Imperial Dominion of the South's Legislature

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Has this sh**t officially passed yet?

[Yelnoc]

Has this sh**t officially passed yet?

I was hoping our third legislator would drop by.  But sure, bill passed.

Now, I'll go introduce the amendments (which I still don't understand why they had to be slapped on immediately after rather than going with the first draft but whatever).

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Budget Amendment

The budget surplus shall be divided and return to every citizen as a tax rebate

[Yelnoc]

the following is up to a vote (with Taft's approval?  We really ought to just eliminate the viceroy and make it a five seat legislature).

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Clarence suggested we redistribute the surplus via a tax rebate.  I have to ask, do you mean last last budget's surplus or this year's projected surplus?  Regardless, I think it is good fiscal policy to keep some of the surplus on the books, in case we were to run into fiscal trouble down the road.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Seemed by the numbers that we already haev a hell of a rainy day fund so I see no problem with giving all of last year's surplus to the people as a stimulus

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The big reason that I didn't want to just reflect the changes in the budget was because it would make it difficult to ascertain what exactly was changed down the road. Having a separate bill should make it easier to follow.

     BTW, the social security tax is $20.1 billion. The surplus is only about $17.7 billion. If the Legislature wants to pass these tax cuts, I strongly suggest passing complementary spending cuts.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

My amendment deals with last years surplus...is that what you are referenceing with the 17 billion?

[Associate Justice PiT]

My amendment deals with last years surplus...is that what you are referenceing with the 17 billion?

     I was talking about this year's budget that was just passed. That reminds me...



     On the 2012 IDS Budget Act: by the powers vested in me as Emperor of this region, I thus sign it into law.

     Be it resolved, X Emperor PiT

[Pingvin]

Sorry, was too busy. Late aye.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

Since my amendment deals with last year's surplus, this year's is not affected

[Yelnoc]

Since my amendment deals with last year's surplus, this year's is not affected

In that case it should be a bill of its own, rather than an amendment.  We can debate it after we finish the 2012 budget.

Regarding the Social Security Taxes, they should be abolished on principle because the money is going nowhere (as there is no regional social security).  If it leaves us with a deficit, so be it.  Now, does anybody have any accompanying spending cuts (or other tax increases) they would like to see?

[CLARENCE 2015!]

I do not know if i agree with the "so be it" about a deficit... I propose we cut spending across the board to make up for the loss of revenue

[Yelnoc]

I do not know if i agree with the "so be it" about a deficit... I propose we cut spending across the board to make up for the loss of revenue

Or we could cut unnecessary and wasteful budget items, while leaving beneficial programs intact.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

What would you consider wasteful? I am sure I will agree with you

[Associate Justice PiT]

     FTR, the proposed cuts would necessitate $11 billion in spending cuts.

[Yelnoc]

     FTR, the proposed cuts would necessitate $11 billion in spending cuts.

Leaving the gas tax as is would only necessitate around $3.6 billion.

Clarence, I'm thinking that we should merge and cut the "defense" and "protection" categories.  What say you? Link for reference

PiT, is the $6.6 billion in interest counted in the balance?  Because, barring clarification from the GM, it should not be (and that would let us keep our surplus too).

[CLARENCE 2015!]

     FTR, the proposed cuts would necessitate $11 billion in spending cuts.

Leaving the gas tax as is would only necessitate around $3.6 billion.

Clarence, I'm thinking that we should merge and cut the "defense" and "protection" categories.  What say you? Link for reference

PiT, is the $6.6 billion in interest counted in the balance?  Because, barring clarification from the GM, it should not be (and that would let us keep our surplus too).

Yelnoc or PiT- what is the difference between Protection and Defense spending? I would oppose cutting defense

[Yelnoc]

     FTR, the proposed cuts would necessitate $11 billion in spending cuts.

Leaving the gas tax as is would only necessitate around $3.6 billion.

Clarence, I'm thinking that we should merge and cut the "defense" and "protection" categories.  What say you? Link for reference

PiT, is the $6.6 billion in interest counted in the balance?  Because, barring clarification from the GM, it should not be (and that would let us keep our surplus too).

Yelnoc or PiT- what is the difference between Protection and Defense spending? I would oppose cutting defense

One of them is the militia.  The other is protection, whatever that means.  Regardless, I don't know what we need a large para military force for unless we want to try and secede for a third (or would it be fourth?) time.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The interest is counted. If we decide that it shouldn't be counted, then we could eliminate the Social Security Tax without incident.

     I assume "Protection" refers to the police. Given that we have taken authority over the affairs of the state governments, we would also have authority over the various state police forces.

[Yelnoc]

     The interest is counted. If we decide that it shouldn't be counted, then we could eliminate the Social Security Tax without incident.

     I assume "Protection" refers to the police. Given that we have taken authority over the affairs of the state governments, we would also have authority over the various state police forces.

There is a note besides the interest category within the bill itself which hints that paying our interest is the response of the federal government.  Hey, down the line sometime, we should pass a bill outlining the process of obtaining a loan.  I have some ideas, but I will leave them for later.  Anyway, let's bring Tmth or Shua (or both) in on this.

And if protection refers to police, which makes sense, I don't think we should cut it.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

In that case I would oppose cuts to defense or protection and propose instead the following cuts-

General government- 2 billion
Welfare- 2 billion
Pensions- 2 billion
Transportation- 5 billion

[Yelnoc]

In that case I would oppose cuts to defense or protection and propose instead the following cuts-

General government- 2 billion
Welfare- 2 billion
Pensions- 2 billion
Transportation- 5 billion

We only need $3.6 in cuts to balance getting rid of the (false) social security tax.  Allowing the federal government to assume our interest would leave us with a surplus of roughly $3 billion, making other cuts unnecessary.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

In that case I propose General government 2 billion dollar cut and Transportation 5 billion dollar....better to cut too much then too little

[Yelnoc]

In that case I propose General government 2 billion dollar cut and Transportation 5 billion dollar....better to cut too much then too little

But what is the transportation cutting?  And the General Government?  Are we going to have to bring back gas lights?  Shut down MARTA?  Let's think before swinging around our hatchets.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

In that case I propose General government 2 billion dollar cut and Transportation 5 billion dollar....better to cut too much then too little

But what is the transportation cutting?  And the General Government?  Are we going to have to bring back gas lights?  Shut down MARTA?  Let's think before swinging around our hatchets.

I propose leaving it to the regional Secretary of Transporation...I don't think any specific allocations in the budget, so I say we give them less and see what they think it invaluable enough to cut