Western Regional Committee

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Ted what is the status on the above election bill in this thread

[Goldwater]

If we have a Lieutenant Governor position it should obviously do more than the typical Vice President position, but I honestly see no reason to even have a Lieutenant Governor at all.

[Lumine]

Considering the Midwest and the Pacific both could hardly field a large number of offices, anything more than five (and I'd argue four) would be suicidal. A Lt. Governor would be a waste of an office in my opnion.

So I'd push for a Governor and a three man legislature with a Speaker from the three (and a five man legislature IF the candidates are more than six-seven, which is hard to imagine). Four seems sustainable for a start, considering we're haven't begun to see how much participation we will have.

If the majority view is behind Fremont I could support it, but I'd prefer "West" or something different.

[Mike Thick]

I think the three-man lej with the trigger works. I'd prefer not to have useless offices, and if we'd just have to make up things for the LG to do that might be something to amend into the Constitution later on if activity increases.

Another option for a name is "Oeste," Spanish for "West." Basically the same, just more exciting. Personally, I don't think the name is too important, but I'd prefer something with a bit more vim and verve to it than just "The West."

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I think the three-man lej with the trigger works. I'd prefer not to have useless offices, and if we'd just have to make up things for the LG to do that might be something to amend into the Constitution later on if activity increases.

Another option for a name is "Oeste," Spanish for "West." Basically the same, just more exciting. Personally, I don't think the name is too important, but I'd prefer something with a bit more vim and verve to it than just "The West."

As I said before if we can't find a role for LG then we should not have it. For the name how about Cascadia.

[Mike Thick]

I think the three-man lej with the trigger works. I'd prefer not to have useless offices, and if we'd just have to make up things for the LG to do that might be something to amend into the Constitution later on if activity increases.

Another option for a name is "Oeste," Spanish for "West." Basically the same, just more exciting. Personally, I don't think the name is too important, but I'd prefer something with a bit more vim and verve to it than just "The West."

As I said before if we can't find a role for LG then we should not have it. For the name how about Cascadia.

The problem with "Cascadia" is that only a tiny fraction of the Region is actually Cascadia.

I'm getting a sense that this is something we'll have to vote on

[Mike Thick]

Ted what is the status on the above election bill in this thread

Sorry, this got a bit lost in the noise. Plan B passed.

[Mike Thick]

I goofed up and switched the classes . One week to wreck the region -- a new record.

Fortunately, this is easily fixable. A moment.

[Mike Thick]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Egg-on-face levels = over 9000. This amendment just switches the class numbers. I will never doubt you again, 1184AZ.

If somebody forces a vote on this, so help me God... Committeemen have 24 hours to object.

[Mike Thick]

Also, if you guys notice an error, point it out like AZ did. I'm too stupid to notice things on my own

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Ted thanks for fixing this it is ok we have all made mistakes. Could you possibly post this on the candidate declaration thread, to ensure their is clarity for each candidate. Thanks 1184AZ

[Mike Thick]

Ted thanks for fixing this it is ok we have all made mistakes. Could you possibly post this on the candidate declaration thread, to ensure their is clarity for each candidate. Thanks 1184AZ

Of course. I'll also contact the Senate candidate(s) about the situation.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Ted thanks for fixing this it is ok we have all made mistakes. Could you possibly post this on the candidate declaration thread, to ensure their is clarity for each candidate. Thanks 1184AZ

Of course. I'll also contact the Senate candidate(s) about the situation.

Thank you for doing that

[Mike Thick]

Ted thanks for fixing this it is ok we have all made mistakes. Could you possibly post this on the candidate declaration thread, to ensure their is clarity for each candidate. Thanks 1184AZ

Of course. I'll also contact the Senate candidate(s) about the situation.

Thank you for doing that

Least I can do

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I motion we vote on approving the above government structure proposal 

[Mike Thick]

I motion we vote on approving the above government structure proposal 

If you want to approve that system, write an initial draft of the Constitution. Then, we can move through it, voting on amendments for naming, systems of Government, etc. I plan to introduce a draft tomorrow, though, so you might want to wait a bit.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I motion we vote on approving the above government structure proposal 

If you want to approve that system, write an initial draft of the Constitution. Then, we can move through it, voting on amendments for naming, systems of Government, etc. I plan to introduce a draft tomorrow, though, so you might want to wait a bit.

Of the entire constitution

[Mike Thick]

Ah, we do have to have principle votes on system of Government and naming first. AZ, you're welcome to formalize the plan. The system shouldn't be very controversial, as we all seem to have an agreement on what to implement. The name, however...

I recommend, AZ, that you write up your proposal so we can run through it, perhaps propose amendments, and then vote.

However, subsequently we do need a megadraft of the entire Constitution. I can take care of this once we get that stud sorted out.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Here is a Proposed draft for the Constitution of the Western Region. I used the Norths as a template, and lightly edited it to fit what we discussed. Please feel free to offer amendments.  

[quote] WRC Res 1:First Western Constitution

We the People of the Western Region, by acknowledging the right of governance for our granted territory, establish this Constitution to advance civil ordinance and individual opportunity for ourselves and our posterity. The Constitution of the Western Region is the supreme law of the region, in concert with the Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia.
Article I: The Region

The Western Region and the Constitution thereof shall be representative of the states of
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The administrative center for the government of the Western Region established in this Constitution shall be Denver, Colorado.

Article II: The Legislature

    The legislative power of the Western Region shall be granted to the Legislative Assembly of the Western Region.
    Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the Western Region shall be called MLA’S.
    MLA's are to be elected by all citizens registered to vote in the Western Region.
MLA’s are to be registered to vote in the Western Region.
    Elections to the Legislative Assembly of the Western Region shall take place once every January, March, May, July, September , and November. The appropriate election administrator will open the voting booth at 9 PM PST  of the second Thursday of the month, and will close said booth the following Sunday at 9PM PST. Every citizen will be given the opportunity to vote during this time. The Chief Judicial Officer of the Western Region must accept any absentee ballot received no more than one week prior to the opening of the polls.
    Candidates for Legislative Assembly will be given until the Wednesday preceding the first date of polling in the election they wish to contest to announce their candidacy and appear on the ballot. This is to be done by officially declaring their candidacy in the Candidate Declaration Thread.
    When the polls close, the appropriate election administrator shall be given twenty-four (24) hours to count the votes and declare elected MLA’s. The newly elected MLA’s  shall officially assume office on the Thursday following the election.
    The number of Representatives to be elected shall be 5  in elections where six or more candidates appear on the ballot, or 3 otherwise. The method of election shall be PR-STV, as specified in Sections 4 to 17 of the Atlasian Proportional Representation Act (F.L. 21-2), unless the Assembly shall provide otherwise by Law.
    Vacancies in the Legislative Assembly shall be filled in a manner specified by Law, and until such determination is made, by Gubernatorial appointment. Vacancies occur upon resignation, recall, impeachment, failure to swear in within one week of the legislative session’s opening, failure to vote on four consecutive pieces of legislation without publicly declaring absence, or failure to participate in Assembly debate for one month.
    The Legislative Assembly's sessions shall be conducted in public year-round.
    All ordinary legislation shall first be considered in the Assembly. Legislation shall be considered by the Legislative Assembly upon petition of any Representative, Cabinet Member, the Governor, or two Western citizens.
    Any piece of legislation attaining a majority of actual votes from Representatives shall be considered successful. Every piece of legislation shall relate to but one subject that is to be expressed in its title. All pieces of legislation and votes of support and consent by the Legislative Assembly must go through this process in order to become law.
    The Speaker of the Western Legislative Assembly acts as the Presiding Officer of the Western  Legislative Assembly. He or she organizes votes on legislation and notifies the MLA’s  of the results of any official vote. If the Speaker is temporarily absent (no more than ten days), the longest continuously serving representative may exercise the powers of Speaker.
    The Legislative Assembly shall have the power to override the Governor’s veto. If the Legislature  passes legislation previously vetoed by the Governor by more than a two-thirds majority vote in a five-seat Assembly, or by a unanimous vote in a three-seat Assembly, it becomes law without the Governor’s signature.

Article III: The Executive

    The executive authority of the Western Region shall be vested in the Governor of the Western Region. The Governor must be a registered voter in the Western Region.
    The Governor must be elected democratically by the people of the Western Region. Elections are to be held every March, July, and September for Governor. The appropriate election administrator will open the voting booth at 9 PM PST  of the second Thursday of the month, and will close said booth the following Sunday at 9PM PST at  Every citizen will be given the opportunity to vote during this time. The Chief Judicial Officer of the Western Region must accept any absentee ballot received no more than one week prior to the opening of the polls.
    Candidates for Governor will be given until the Wednesday preceding the first date of polling in the election they wish to contest to announce their candidacy and appear on the ballot. This is to be done by officially declaring their candidacy in the Candidate Declaration Thread.
    When the polls close, the appropriate election administrator of the Western  Region shall be given twenty-four hours to count the votes and declare a winner. The candidate with the most votes for the office of Governor shall be elected Governor. The newly elected Governor is to be officially sworn in on the Thursday following the election and shall immediately assume office at that point. In the case of a tie, all tied candidates are to run in a run-off election the following week to determine a winner. In the case of a tie, the previous Governor shall remain in office until a Governor is elected. There may only be one Governor at any point in time. Once a new Governor is sworn in, the old one forfeits his or her office.
    If the office of Governor is to become vacant at some point while he or she is in office, the CJO shall assume the role of Acting Governor until a special election may be held. During this time, the Acting Governor shall retain their position as CJO.. If the vacancy occurs less than two  weeks before the next regularly scheduled election, the  CJO shall immediately become the Governor and serve for the remainder of the term - vacating their other offices.
    In the event that the office of Governor falls vacant Two  or more weeks before the next scheduled gubernatorial election, a special election shall be held to fill the remainder of the term. The election shall be held on the first Thursday following the vacancy, except where the Thursday falls within two days of the position becoming vacant, in which case the election will take place the following Thursday, and be held in the same manner as a regular gubernatorial election. Upon certification of the results, the Governor-elect shall immediately assume office upon swearing in.
    A Governor may be impeached at any time while he or she is in office by the will of two thirds of the Legislative Assembly of the Western  Region. Impeachment proceedings shall begin when a motion to impeach offered by a MLA is seconded by another MLA. Impeachment shall be pursued if an elected official commits an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the Region and that is legally prohibited.
    The Governor has the power to make political appointments and serve as the official representative of the Region to the rest of Atlasia. The primary responsibility of the Governor shall be to execute laws passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Western Region  and to promote the interests of the region abroad.
    The Governor has veto power over any piece of legislation passed by the Western Legislative Assembly. The Governor may not have the power to veto parts as opposed to the whole of any legislation. The Governor is required to sign all pieces of legislation he or she supports into law after it passes a successful vote in the Legislative Assembly within one week of its passing. Once he or she has signed the legislation, it immediately becomes law unless otherwise stated in the legislation itself. If the Governor does not sign or veto the successful legislation after one week, then it becomes law immediately.
    The Governor is obligated to present the Legislative Assembly a budget for their term. The structure and procedure for the budget process are to be determined by law. The budget of all government activities is to be voted on  by the Assembly after a normal debate period. All budgets must include a plan for revenue and taxation.
    The chain of command for the Governorship of the Western  Region shall be as follows: Governor, CJO, Speaker of the Western Assembly, Dean of the Assembly , followed by the next longest and the next and so on. The chain of command shall be used to fill sudden vacancies in the office of Governor.
    The office of Governor is to be deemed vacant upon the resignation, recall, or impeachment of the sitting Governor. A Governor who takes no action over a ten (10) day period shall automatically forfeit his or her office unless an official leave of absence is acknowledged prior.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Continued

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Classic Conservative]

I know, I am not a member of this wonderful and hollowed body, but I am wondering if you can include a provision for freedom of religion in this constitution.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I know, I am not a member of this wonderful and hollowed body, but I am wondering if you can include a provision for freedom of religion in this constitution.

Freedom of religion is already protected in the constitution under the following Section:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[cinyc]

There can't be a CJO.  That is barred by the Fourth Atlasian Constitution.  All regional judicial power is vested in an Associate Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court.  You can have someone to run elections, though.

[Mike Thick]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

My proposed amendment. I changed "CJO" to "Elections Officer," and edited a bit for style.