MA: Immigration Reform Act of 2012 (Failed)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: Mr. X

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Do to our current budget shortfalls, I am strongly opposed to any additional tax cuts or credits at this time.

[tmthforu94]

I as well, have a problem with issuing tax credits at this time. We just don't have the money.

[Lambsbread]

Argh this sounds very expensive

[Gass3268]

I really like the idea of giving an incentive for immigrants to learn English. I feel like it would assit in creating a greater work place in our region.

Maybe instead of a earned income tax-credit we could have it that those that pass the English language test can be allowed to have their guest-worker program extended to 15 to 20 years?

Also are there any other cities that should be added?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

I really like the idea of giving an incentive for immigrants to learn English. I feel like it would assit in creating a greater work place in our region.

Maybe instead of a earned income tax-credit we could have it that those that pass the English language test can be allowed to have their guest-worker program extended to 15 to 20 years?

Also are there any other cities that should be added?

I could live with that change, although I would definitely prefer the tax-credit (even if the amount was reduced significantly) since I think it would be more effective.  However, if the only way to pass this bill is to change the incentive to a five year extension of the guest-worker program, so be it. That said, I think that the earned-income tax-credit is still an idea that should, at the very least be revisited in the future.  I don't think there are any cities that need to be added, did you have any specific ones in mind?

[tmthforu94]

Is it necessary to provide these facilities? How about partnering with private organizations within the region that offer English classes?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Is it necessary to provide these facilities? How about partnering with private organizations within the region that offer English classes?

I am inclined to say that it is necessary for the Mideast to provide the facilities.  I was willing to make the tax-credit concession, but it is important to make sure that in our efforts to lower the bill's cost, we don't dramatically reduce its effectiveness.  This sort of task is something that I believe the government could do a significantly better job of than the private sector.  Private organizations, well-intentioned as they may be, often lack the resources that are available to the government.  It is the same reason that (and this is in no way meant as a denigration of charity) social programs are often more successful than charities will ever be at addressing major societal issues such as poverty.  I am also somewhat wary of watering-down the bill because of the change to the tax-credit portion that will be made.  That being said, I am still at least somewhat open to this idea, would you mind elaborating, Governor?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

What is the expected cost of this program?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Section 1, Clause 3 is hereby amended to read:

•   Any first-generation immigrant who passes a region-issued English language exam at one of these centers will be allowed to remain in the region for an additional five years under the guest-worker program described in Section 2, Clause 1 of this bill.

[tmthforu94]

Section 1, Clause 2 is amended to read:

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Rough draft. Thoughts?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Section 1, Clause 2 is amended to read:

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Rough draft. Thoughts?

I'm fine with the English language tests being issued at the DMV.  My problem with this amendment is that it does not include the English language education and career services piece.  I'm fine with looking for a solution other than building special centers, but I don't want to simply eliminate that portion of the bill (in other words, something else would need to carry out the function of those centers).  Making the tests available at the DMV is a good idea, however.

[tmthforu94]

Section 1, Clause 2 is amended to read:

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Rough draft. Thoughts?

I'm fine with the English language tests being issued at the DMV.  My problem with this amendment is that it does not include the English language education and career services piece.  I'm fine with looking for a solution other than building special centers, but I don't want to simply eliminate that portion of the bill (in other words, something else would need to carry out the function of those centers).  Making the tests available at the DMV is a good idea, however.

Considering our economic environment, I'd feel more comfortable leaving it up to the immigrants to go out there and get the education required to take the test. Regardless, I'd say this is giving them a great opportunity to stay in our region for a few years longer.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Is there any further debate on the amendment?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Section 1, Clause 2 is amended to read:

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Rough draft. Thoughts?

I'm fine with the English language tests being issued at the DMV.  My problem with this amendment is that it does not include the English language education and career services piece.  I'm fine with looking for a solution other than building special centers, but I don't want to simply eliminate that portion of the bill (in other words, something else would need to carry out the function of those centers).  Making the tests available at the DMV is a good idea, however.

Considering our economic environment, I'd feel more comfortable leaving it up to the immigrants to go out there and get the education required to take the test. Regardless, I'd say this is giving them a great opportunity to stay in our region for a few years longer.

Once again, I'd urge you to amend your amendment to include the English language education and career services piece.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Can you submit that to GM Shua for a cost analysis?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Can you submit that to GM Shua for a cost analysis?

I PMed him about it and haven't heard back.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

10 million or so to build the centers,  8 million/yr to staff them, and 200 million/yr for the tax credits.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

10 million or so to build the centers,  8 million/yr to staff them, and 200 million/yr for the tax credits.

In that case, the tax credits are definitely out, but I don't think the rest is unreasonable.

[Lambsbread]

Yeah but then we're gonna have to either propose more tax increases (an absolute no in my book) or cut more useless spending (and this is pretty useless to begin with)

[tmthforu94]

If we're looking at those low of figures, then I'd withdraw my amendment. Absolutely no on the tax credits, though.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

If we're looking at those low of figures, then I'd withdraw my amendment. Absolutely no on the tax credits, though.

I agree regarding the tax credits.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So where are we on this?  What amdendments do we want considered?

[tmthforu94]

Section 1, Clause 3 is hereby amended to read:

•   Any first-generation immigrant who passes a region-issued English language exam at one of these centers will be allowed to remain in the region for an additional five years under the guest-worker program described in Section 2, Clause 1 of this bill.

This needs to be added in.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And do you still want the Clause 2 amendment?