HB 18-50: Appalachia Reinvestment Act (Debating)

[Lumine]

SENATE BILL

to invest in Appalachia and combat the opioid epidemic

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Appalachia Reinvestment Act

SECTION 1.

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

SECTION 2.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Beginning on October 1st, 2023, the Appalachia Regional Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2024.

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, 2020, the Opioid Epidemic Commission shall receive a budget of $10,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending on September 30th, 2021.

SECTION 7.

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

SECTION 6.

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

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Sponsor: TBD.
Designation: HB 18-49.

[Lumine]

This needs a sponsor.

[Dr. MB]

I'll sponsor

[fhtagn]

Mostly just bumping this for now. I'll wait for MB to provide a statement in defense of this bill first.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

I'm personally not a fan of raising taxes to support this, i'd rather cut spending elsewhere.

[Dr. MB]

Appalachia is a region in need of significant help: the ongoing opioid crisis, loss of opportunities and lack of hope going forward. It's time we do something to support their economic recovery, and this bill would do just that.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'm personally not a fan of raising taxes to support this, i'd rather cut spending elsewhere.

What would you recommend?

[fhtagn]

My main concern with this is that iirc the highest brackets already experienced their taxes being raised to pay for other bills. I know for sure one or more of the bills that had been proposed by Pericles included tax raises on the wealthy to pay for his programs.

[Lumine]

Just for the record, MB is recognized as sponsor.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

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

I hope the House passes this bill.

[Dr. MB]

Motioning for a final vote.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Motioning for a final vote.

Representatives have 24 hours for objections.

[fhtagn]

Objecting to the final vote motion. Hardly anyone had debated on it and no one, the sponsor included, has addressed my concerns with this.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

A vote on whether to hold a final vote has started. Please vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Nay

This deserves some actual debate, there is no logical reason it should go to a final vote yet.

[lfromnj]

I think this bill really is another sad case of rural elitism that exists in this country.

[Devout Centrist]

I think this bill really is another sad case of rural elitism that exists in this country.

These are some of the poorest counties in the country. Where's the elitism?

This is yet more evidence that the Federalists stand for the interests of the wealthy and powerful over everyday Americans.

[YE]

I think this bill really is another sad case of rural elitism that exists in this country.

Reinvesting in disadvantaged locations is elitism now?

[lfromnj]

I would prefer if welfare and other stuff was shifted more local. Is it more poor? Yes obviously. But it isn't as poor when you adjust for cost of living. Someone living in nj making 45k is poorer than one in Appalachia making 30k. Obviously even after adjusting for cost of living it is more poor but not as drastic.

[YE]

Nay since there seems to be debate ongoing

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I support the goals of this bill, but increasing taxes on the four highest brackets impacts some of the middle class and, in general, I don't believe such individuals should see tax increases. If the motion to vote is rejected, I will offer the following amendment.

SECTION 7.

1. Income tax rates in the four two highest brackets shall be increased by 1 2 percentage points until FY 2024.

NAY

[lfromnj]

Nay since there seems to be debate ongoing

[JGibson]

NAY

[Coastal Elitist]

Nay