SENATE BILL: Appalachia Reinvestment Act (Passed)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 2020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2021.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 2021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2022.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2023.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000


SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

Sponsor: Devout Centrist
Senate Designation: SB 18:11?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The sponsor has 24 hours to commence an advocacy for this, and all other members have an additional 48 hours to commence with their initial comments, questions, concerns.

[Mr. Reactionary]

https://www.arc.gov/publications/BudgetDocuments.asp

So some context

IRL the budget requested by ARC in 2018 was $152 million.

This proposal is for about 100 X the IRL request each year for 4 years.

[Devout Centrist]

https://www.arc.gov/publications/BudgetDocuments.asp

So some context

IRL the budget requested by ARC in 2018 was $152 million.

This proposal is for about 100 X the IRL request each year for 4 years.

Indeed. Stretching from Southern New York State down to Mississippi and Alabama, the ARC covers 12 states in part or in whole. This region covers some of the most economically depressed areas of the country.

The Appalachian Regional Commission has accomplished quite a few significant achievements over the course of its 54 year existence. On its budget alone, it has helped to leverage $2.5 Billion in private investment, reduced the infant mortality rate by 66%, and increased the high school graduation rate in the region to national parity. In addition, the number of counties with high or extreme poverty has fallen from over 250 in the late 1960's to just 81 today.

However, there is still much work to be done. Drug related deaths have reached catastrophic proportions in Appalachia. The coal industry continues to decline, alongside the remnants of heavy manufacturing. Many counties in Appalachia have a median income far below the National average. Infrastructure within Appalachia is aged. From roads and bridges, to sewers and water treatment, Appalachia lacks modern infrastructure.



This map shows the number of economically distressed counties in Appalachia. These counties are determined on the basis of the average unemployment rate over three years, per capita income, and  the overall poverty rate. The ARC rates counties on a sliding scale from distressed to attainment. A rating of transitional and competitive indicate that a county has a per capita income, average unemployment rate, and poverty rate on par with or above the National average. A rating of attainment indicates a county with an economic performance in the top ten percent of counties




While a good number of counties have reached transitional economic status, nearly half of all counties in Appalachia are rated as 'at risk' or distressed.

The increased funding from this act with go to an existing Federal-State partnership with a proven record of improving living conditions for people in one of America's poorest regions. This agency receives input from local communities and awards grants based on the needs of these communities. It is not the Federal Government doling out money to boondoggles.

I would be willing to amend this bill to increase the range of counties that qualify for the ARC. Recently, Youngstown, Ohio was added to the ARC after the decline of the steel industry.  

[lfromnj]

I notice that Cobb/Gwinett and a few other suburban Atlanta counties are considered part of Appalachia. Shouldn't they be removed? These counties have literally nothing Appalachian about them besides some fringe remains of culture and how they are located near Appalachia.

[Devout Centrist]

I notice that Cobb/Gwinett and a few other suburban Atlanta counties are considered part of Appalachia. Shouldn't they be removed? These counties have literally nothing Appalachian about them besides some fringe remains of culture and how they are located near Appalachia.

You're right. I will write an amendment that adjusts the boundaries accordingly, perhaps expanding the boundaries further into Tennessee and Kentucky.

[Devout Centrist]

Presenting the following amendment:

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 2020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2021.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 2021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2022.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2023.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000

4. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to exclude the counties of Gwinnett and Cobb in the State of Georgia

5. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to include the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, and the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester in Virginia, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, and Lincoln counties in Tennessee, Mason, Bracken, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties in Kentucky.

SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

[Esteemed Jimmy]

As someone who lives in one of these counties, I fully support this bill.

[ON Progressive]

I am in full support of this bill.

[lfromnj]

Does this include the independent cities within Frederick and Rockingham?

[Devout Centrist]

Does this include the independent cities within Frederick and Rockingham?

I have edited the amendment to include those cities.

[Devout Centrist]

It's been 24 hours since I proposed the above amendment. Without objections, the amendment is adopted.

If there's no further objections, I motion for a final vote. Here's the text we'll be voting on:

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 2020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2021.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 2021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2022.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2023.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000

4. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to exclude the counties of Gwinnett and Cobb in the State of Georgia

5. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to include the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, and the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester in Virginia, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, and Lincoln counties in Tennessee, Mason, Bracken, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties in Kentucky.

SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

[tmthforu94]

Can we confirm this passes Paygo?

[fhtagn]

I'd have to find the exact bill(s) where it was done, but I'm pretty sure we already raised taxes on the highest brackets to pay for other stuff.

[Devout Centrist]

Can we confirm this passes Paygo?

I'm using the numbers found here on the CBO's website.

Raise ordinary income tax rates in the four highest brackets by 1 percentage point

FY 2019 Revenue:
$13.5 Billion

FY 2020 Revenue:
$20.6 Billion

FY 2021 Revenue:
$22.0 Billion   

FY 2022 Revenue:
$23.3 Billion

FY 2023 Revenue:
$24.7 Billion

This would raise $104.1 Billion over five years; the cost of this program is $50 Billion. The additional revenue could be used for deficit reduction or for future efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

[Fmr. Representative Encke]

Can we confirm this passes Paygo?

I'm using the numbers found here on the CBO's website.

Raise ordinary income tax rates in the four highest brackets by 1 percentage point

FY 2019 Revenue:
$13.5 Billion

FY 2020 Revenue:
$20.6 Billion

FY 2021 Revenue:
$22.0 Billion   

FY 2022 Revenue:
$23.3 Billion

FY 2023 Revenue:
$24.7 Billion

This would raise $104.1 Billion over five years; the cost of this program is $50 Billion. The additional revenue could be used for deficit reduction or for future efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

I can confirm that, from a raw numbers analysis of IRS tax return data, these numbers are broadly correct, although differences arise in the individual brackets because the CBO source is recent (current RL tax brackets are different from in-game ones). Since the in-game highest bracket starts at 441,000 rather than 500,000, the revenue over five years (2020 through 2024) ends up being slightly higher: 111.44 billion (starting at 19.76 billion in FY2020).

I'll also remind everyone that the FY2019 budget has already been passed, so the tax bracket changes will first apply for the FY2020 budget. It's your choice on whether you want to keep the increase at 5 years (making FY2024 the last year); either way, it passes PAYGO. If you choose to extend this from 2020 through 2024, I estimate 111.44 billion dollars in new revenue; if you keep it at 2020 through 2023, it will raise 86.03 billion dollars in new revenue.

Also, the wording of Section 7 ("1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023.") implies that 2022 is the last year, which I don't think is the intention (although it would still pass PAYGO even if the tax increase was only kept to 2020, 2021, and 2022).

[Devout Centrist]

Thank you Deputy GM.

I am withdrawing my motion for a final vote. I will propose an amendment to fix the fiscal year issue later today.

[Devout Centrist]

Proposing the following amendment:

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 20192020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20202021.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 20202021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20212022.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 20212022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20222023.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 20222023, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20232024.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000

4. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to exclude the counties of Gwinnett and Cobb in the State of Georgia

5. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to include the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, and the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester in Virginia, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, and Lincoln counties in Tennessee, Mason, Bracken, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties in Kentucky.

SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 20192020, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20202021.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023. 2024.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 2020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2021.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 2021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2022.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2023.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000

4. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to exclude the counties of Gwinnett and Cobb in the State of Georgia

5. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to include the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, and the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester in Virginia, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, and Lincoln counties in Tennessee, Mason, Bracken, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties in Kentucky.

SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 2019, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2020.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

Sponsor Feedback: Origination
Status: Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

An Act

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Appalachia Reinvestment Act”.

SECTION 2.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 20192020, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20202021.

2. Beginning on October 1st, 20202021, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20212022.

3. Beginning on October 1st, 20212022, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20222023.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 20222023, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20232024.

SECTION 3.

1. The Appalachia Regional Commission (ARC) shall establish a special division on the opioid epidemic

2. Counties within the scope of the ARC shall be given a status based on the overall severity of drug related death within their boundaries

3. The status are hereby defined as-
   a. Clear: Drug related deaths of less than 4.5 per 100,000
   b. At risk: Drug related deaths of between 4.5-10 per 100,000
   c. Endemic: Drug related deaths of between 10-15 per 100,000
   d. Epidemic: Drug related deaths of between 15-25 per 100,000
   e. Crisis: Drug related deaths of greater than 25 per 100,000

4. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to exclude the counties of Gwinnett and Cobb in the State of Georgia

5. The boundaries of the Appalachia Regional Commission shall be adjusted to include the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, and the independent cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester in Virginia, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, Rutherford, Bedford, Moore, and Lincoln counties in Tennessee, Mason, Bracken, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties in Kentucky.

SECTION 4.

1. The Federal Government of Atlasia shall establish the Opioid Epidemic Commission (OEC)

2. This commission shall function as a voluntary partnership between the Federal Government and regional governments

3. Region can opt out of the OEC with a simple majority within their respective legislature

4. The OEC shall use the same status guidelines as the Appalachia Regional Commission

5. The OEC shall establish-
   a. A division on inpatient therapy
   b. A division on outpatient therapy
   c. A division on research
   d. A division on community grants

6. The OEC shall cease its duties exactly one fiscal year after the national drug related death rate has fallen below 4.5 per 100,000

SECTION 5.

1. Beginning on October 1st, 20192020, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 20202021.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four highest brackets shall be increased by 1 percentage point until FY 2023. 2024.

SECTION 6.

1. This law shall go into effect on October 1st, 2019

Sponsor Feedback: Origination
Status: Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The interesting thing to note about the map is that the only county that has attainment of objectives is one that is being overrun by Atlanta sprawl.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendments are both adopted.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Just in case we can now proceed, I motion or a final vote, Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Are there any other concerns or potential issues on this bill? I don't want us having to cancel a final vote if we can avoid it ahead of time?

[Devout Centrist]

Are there any other concerns or potential issues on this bill? I don't want us having to cancel a final vote if we can avoid it ahead of time?

What are your thoughts on this bill, Senator?