Pacific Legislature Official Thread

[Kevin]

I think the Department of U covers Regional Goverment Aid to the University's and Community College's so they can cover some of their additional cost's.   

[The Duke]

Out of curiosity, what is "Department of University", anyway, and how are its functions not covered by the Department of Education?

It runs the University system.  All public universities are administered under this department.  The Department also handles all the formerly state government aid and loans to college students, which is a subtantial sum.

This year's budget is a large enough sum to fund the construction of the University of the Pacific Region which is a goal our Region set out to achieve in December of 2004 under Proposition 8.  We can now fund the planning and groundbreaking of that project.

[Kevin]

   On an unrealated subject wouldn't prop 5 of the propostions be covered by the Federal Goverment? 

[Gabu]

Out of curiosity, what is "Department of University", anyway, and how are its functions not covered by the Department of Education?

It runs the University system.  All public universities are administered under this department.  The Department also handles all the formerly state government aid and loans to college students, which is a subtantial sum.

This year's budget is a large enough sum to fund the construction of the University of the Pacific Region which is a goal our Region set out to achieve in December of 2004 under Proposition 8.  We can now fund the planning and groundbreaking of that project.

I probably missed something, for which I apologize, but why is it a department unto itself?  Aren't universities part of education?

[Kevin]

So you are arguing to cut the Dempartment of U?

[Gabu]

So you are arguing to cut the Dempartment of U?

Not "cut", per se, given that I'm not proposing we remove any money from the budget, but I'm asking why the Department of Education can't do what the Department of University does (since, logically speaking, universities are part of education).

[Kevin]

We could combine the two.

[The Duke]

I'd like to hear how many people support combining the Departments of University and Education or if people that is a suprfluous idea.  I am open to either, actually.

[Gabu]

Well, I'd first like to hear why the Department of University was created in the first place.  It seems like kind of specific thing to dedicate an entire department to.  At the very least, the Department of Education should be renamed if we keep the Department of University, given that it will no longer be the only department that covers education.

[The Duke]

Well, I'd first like to hear why the Department of University was created in the first place.  It seems like kind of specific thing to dedicate an entire department to.  At the very least, the Department of Education should be renamed if we keep the Department of University, given that it will no longer be the only department that covers education.

In California, I'm pretty sure the Universities are actually not in the Department of Education.  They are run by the Board of Regents, an independent body.  The Department of Ed in California only deals with primary and secondary schools.  So seperating the two seemed very natural to someone who's home state does in fact seperate the two.

The Department of University on its own has the third largest budget in the Regional government.  It does have a mission that seems specialized on the surface, but its actually quite extensive when you dig deeper.

So, it was the size of the budget and the fact that in California the two things are seperated if memory serves that led to them being two seperate departments.

[Gabu]

Well, I'd first like to hear why the Department of University was created in the first place.  It seems like kind of specific thing to dedicate an entire department to.  At the very least, the Department of Education should be renamed if we keep the Department of University, given that it will no longer be the only department that covers education.

In California, I'm pretty sure the Universities are actually not in the Department of Education.  They are run by the Board of Regents, an independent body.  The Department of Ed in California only deals with primary and secondary schools.  So seperating the two seemed very natural to someone who's home state does in fact seperate the two.

The Department of University on its own has the third largest budget in the Regional government.  It does have a mission that seems specialized on the surface, but its actually quite extensive when you dig deeper.

So, it was the size of the budget and the fact that in California the two things are seperated if memory serves that led to them being two seperate departments.

Well, I'm not really knowledgable about this stuff, it was just something that occurred to me when looking at their two names.

I think that the Department of Education could stand to have its name changed to clear up any confusion people might have about its function if we're going to leave the Department of University, but that's a rather minor thing.

[The Duke]

I'd hardly expect someone from British Columbia to know the nooks and crannies of the California state government.  I certainly don't know much about the BC government.  Just explaining why it made sense to me at the time.

I'm going to ask the GM if there are any saving from consolidating the two.  If there are savings, I plan to amend my budget proposal and combine the two departments.  If there are no savings, or if there is no response, then I would suggest we just keep things as is.

Are there any other issues of concern folks have?

[Sam Spade]

I'm going to say no to any savings in a merger of the two departments.

This is precisely because they cover such distinct areas of government; there really are no major overlapping functions that I can find that would be saved by consolidation.

[The Duke]

With the GM's notice of no savings, the bill shall not be amended.  24 hours for any one to voice any further concerns they have on this budget.

[The Duke]

Debate has essentially died down.  Since there are no further comments, I open the vote on the 2006 Budget.

[Gabu]

Aye.

[WMS]

Aye.

[Kevin]

   Aye

[Kevin]

  Are we going to move on to another issue now or what are we going to do now?

[Alcon]

Aye

[Alcon]

  Are we going to move on to another issue now or what are we going to do now?

I think this one remains open for a week, and if anyone wants to introduce anything after that, they may.

[The Duke]

  Are we going to move on to another issue now or what are we going to do now?

I think this one remains open for a week, and if anyone wants to introduce anything after that, they may.

You need 3 signatures, actually, to introduce something (or get the Gov. to introduce it for you, as he doesn't need signatures).

[Alcon]

  Are we going to move on to another issue now or what are we going to do now?

I think this one remains open for a week, and if anyone wants to introduce anything after that, they may.

You need 3 signatures, actually, to introduce something (or get the Gov. to introduce it for you, as he doesn't need signatures).

I know, but I will be instituting a policy of introducing everything myself, within reason.

[Alcon]

With a vote of 4-0, the 2006 Budget has passed.

These ideas were proposed to me.  Legalese is not my greatest talent, but I hope I conveyed these well enough into bills.

Amendment to Abolish Chief Justice of the Pacific Region
1. Whereas, the position of Chief Justice of the Pacific Region position is functionally useless;
2. The position of Chief Justice of the Pacific Region is hereby abolished.
3. All powers held by the Chief Justice of the Pacific Region will be reverted to their statuses prior to the establishment of the position.

Regional Office Establishment Proposition
1. Whereas, citizens far from the regional capital of Sacramento are unable to obtain documentation;
2. Small regional offices will be established in the following cities:
a. The city of Olympia, Thurston County, Washington;
b. The city of Salem, Marion County, Oregon;
c. The city of Boise, Ada County, Idaho;
d. The city of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana;
e. The independent city of Carson City, Nevada;
f.  The city of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona;
g. The city of Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico;
h. The independent city of Juneau, Alaska, municipal proper;
i. And the urban district of Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.
3. Regional offices will provide and archive documentation and manage cases for forwarding to the central office in Sacramento.
4. An additional $100 million from the current clerical budget will be appropriated yearly for salaries and building maintainence.

I will now open up discussion on these issues.

[WMS]

With a vote of 4-0, the 2006 Budget has passed.

These ideas were proposed to me.  Legalese is not my greatest talent, but I hope I conveyed these well enough into bills.

Amendment to Abolish Chief Justice of the Pacific Region
1. Whereas, the position of Chief Justice of the Pacific Region position is functionally useless;
2. The position of Chief Justice of the Pacific Region is hereby abolished.
3. All powers held by the Chief Justice of the Pacific Region will be reverted to their statuses prior to the establishment of the position.

Leaning in favor of this.

Regional Office Establishment Proposition
1. Whereas, citizens far from the regional capital of Sacramento are unable to obtain documentation;
2. Small regional offices will be established in the following cities:
a. The city of Olympia, Thurston County, Washington;
b. The city of Salem, Marion County, Oregon;
c. The city of Boise, Ada County, Idaho;
d. The city of Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana;
e. The independent city of Carson City, Nevada;
f.  The city of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona;
g. The city of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico;
h. The independent city of Juneau, Alaska, municipal proper;
i. And the urban district of Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii.
3. Regional offices will provide and archive documentation and manage cases for forwarding to the central office in Sacramento.
4. An additional $100 million from the current clerical budget will be appropriated yearly for salaries and building maintainence.

I will now open up discussion on these issues.

While I understand your logic in choosing the state capitals, Albuquerque is actually way easier for most New Mexicans to get to...you can actually park sometimes.