Office of Northeast Governor Napoleon FAREWELL ADDRESS

[Senator Napoleon]

The Hartford Office will serve as my transitionary office throughout the week, and my public office thereafter. I will maintain official government business in my New York Office on the Regional Governments board, I will move there upon swearing in as Governor.

[Senator Napoleon]

If anyone is interested in a Cabinet position, please contact me at the soonest possible date. I would like yo be able to get all nominations and such dealt with in timely fashion.

[Senator Napoleon]

Here is the preliminary text for an amendment I will be requesting the Legislative Assembly to vote on.

9. The Governor is obligated to present the Legislative Assembly a budget every month he or she is in office. 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. The Governor is obligated to ensure that the budget does not provide for any deficits excepting times of emergency or war, a condition the Legislative Assembly must successfully endorse.

What does this amendment do? It allows each Governor the opportunity to produce his or her own fiscal policies: if we are going to shorten our electoral cycles for this game, we should also shorten our political and economic cycles as to allow elected officials to be held accountable for their own performance. The balanced budget provision remains intact, and the Assembly remains involved in the process. Leaving the specific budget requirements beyond that up to law allows us some flexibility in just how complex the process is-- we don't want to get saddled with a constitutional budgetary process that creates too much work on a permanent basis.

[Senator Napoleon]

I am also making public my suggestions for SOAP reform, which I hope will be made a top priority by the Legislative Assembly. Members are encouraged to begin discussing and contemplating this document now so that we waste no time upon swearing in.

1. Proposed Legislation Thread
A. The Lt. Governor shall open a new Northeast Assembly Proposed Legislation Thread at the start of each Northeast Assembly session.
B. Representatives, the Governor and any concerned Northeast citizen shall post the full text of any proposed legislation in a response to the Northeast Assembly Proposed Legislation Thread for the current session. Each response shall contain only one piece of proposed legislation.
C. Nothing shall be posted to the Northeast Assembly proposed legislation thread except proposed legislation or a Northeast citizen's signature for proposed citizen legislation.

2. Movement of Legislation to the Northeast Assembly Floor
A. Three bills shall be allowed on the floor concurrently, to be referred to as Legislative Slots.
   Legislative Slot 1: Priority shall be given to the People. Legislation proposed by concerned Northeast citizens shall be placed in this slot. If there is no new legislation proposed by concerned Northeast citizens in the Northeast Assembly Proposed Legislation Thread, the Speaker shall place the earliest introduced legislation in this slot.
Legislative Slot 2: Priority shall be given to the Speaker. Legislation shall be placed in this slot at the Speaker’s discretion. Proposed legislation must be placed in this slot if it is open.
Legislative Slot 3: Priority shall be given to the Governor. Legislation proposed by the Governor shall be placed in this slot. If there is no new legislation proposed by the Governor in the Northeast Assembly Proposed Legislation Thread, the Speaker shall place the earliest introduced legislation in this slot.
B. Each piece of legislation on the floor shall receive its own thread.
   Threads shall be titled as follows: NE1: Name of bill, where 1 is substituted to designate the Legislative Slot the bill occupies and the Name of bill shall be the Title of the Bill given by its sponsor in the Northeast Assembly Proposed Legislation Thread. Each thread shall remain open until the Bill either (a) becomes law via the Governor’s signature, lack of Gubernatorial action, or veto override or (b) fails to receive majority support from Representatives.

3. Legislative Debates and Voting
A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h), all proposed legislation shall be open for debate for no less than seventy-two (72) hours after the Speaker places it in a Legislative Slot.
B. During debate, Representatives may suggest amendments to proposed legislation. If the sponsor of the proposed legislation publicly deems the amendment friendly, no vote on the amendment shall be required. If the sponsor of the proposed legislation does not publicly deem the amendment friendly, a vote on the amendment shall be taken twenty-four (24) hours after being proposed unless there is less than twenty-four (24) hours of debate remaining on the bill. If there is less than twenty-four (24) hours of debate remaining on the bill, a vote on the amendment shall be taken before proceeding to a final vote on the bill. Such vote shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours, or until all Representatives have voted, if earlier. An amendment shall pass if a majority of Representatives vote in favor of it (with abstentions and absences not counted as votes).
C. The sponsor of a proposed amendment may remove it from the Assembly floor by tabling it at any time before a vote on the amendment is started.
D. The sponsor of a piece of proposed legislation may remove it from the Assembly floor by tabling it at any time before a final vote is taken on the proposed legislation.
E. A final vote on the proposed legislation shall take place after the Speaker certifies the vote on any proposed amendments (or, if there are no such amendments, at the end of the debate period). Such votes shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours, or until all Representatives have voted, if earlier. A piece of proposed legislation shall pass if a majority of Representatives vote in favor of it (with abstentions and absences not counted as votes).
F. The Speaker shall certify the results of any vote within twenty-four (24) hours of the end of the voting period.
G. Any Representative may make a motion to suspend section 3A of this Standing Order to increase or decrease the time of the debate or voting period. The motion shall be immediately put to a vote on the Northeast Assembly floor. Such vote shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours, or until all Representatives have voted, if earlier. If the motion passes by a vote of the majority of all Representatives (with abstentions and absences counted as nay votes), the relevant period shall be changed.

4. Terminology
A. All legislation regarding the rules of the Northeast Assembly shall be called Standing Orders.
B. All proposed legislation that requires the signature of the Governor shall be called a Bill until signed and thereafter an Act.

5. Miscellaneous
A Northeast Assembly Protest and Analysis Thread shall be created and made open to Northeast citizens for the discussion of legislative proposals, debates, votes, and all other matters that relate to the Northeast government.

[Governor Scott]

The new SOAP should be amended to give members the option to table rogue bills upon a vote from either a majority or supermajority of the Assembly.  It would make filibustering much more difficult and save legislative time.

[Senator Napoleon]

Upon swearing in on Thursday, my first executive action will be to appoint my successor in the Senate. I ask the Assembly to consider this appointment simultaneous to the Speaker election, as it should not be too complicated. It is absolutely a priority of mine that this region maintains solid representation in the national legislature. To that end, after much thought and excruciating deliberation, I have decided to appoint Senator-elect Scott as my successor in the Senate. The region elected him my successor, after all, and I have full confidence in Scott's ability to do good work on behalf of this region. I hope Scott can be treated to a speedy confirmation vote.

[Senator Napoleon]

The new SOAP should be amended to give members the option to table rogue bills upon a vote from either a majority or supermajority of the Assembly.  It would make filibustering much more difficult and save legislative time.

Another option would be to allow the Speaker some autonomy in this area. I will work alongside our newly elected Representatives to find the best solution. Thank you for raising this point.

[Governor Scott]

The new SOAP should be amended to give members the option to table rogue bills upon a vote from either a majority or supermajority of the Assembly.  It would make filibustering much more difficult and save legislative time.

Another option would be to allow the Speaker some autonomy in this area. I will work alongside our newly elected Representatives to find the best solution.

That would be a good idea.  And any legislative powers the Lt. Governor has should be transferred to the Speaker, except for sucession.  Technically, current law gives more power to the Lt. Governor than the Speaker, but the Assembly hasn't followed that tradition for months, as far as I can remember.

I accept my appointment to the Senate.  Thank you.

[Senator Napoleon]

This was actually changed already (it had to be since Lieutenant Governor is no longer an independent office). The Speaker is now a constitutionally recognized Representative with defined duties.

13. The Speaker of the Northeast Legislative Assembly acts as the Presiding Officer of the Northeast Legislative Assembly. He or she organizes votes on legislation and notifies the Representatives of the results of any official vote.

The Lieutenant Governor's only presiding role is to open the session until the Speaker is elected by the Legislative Assembly.

[Senator Napoleon]

This is a transparent and public administration, so I will now highlight other top priorities of the administration.

I plan to revive the Northeast Wiki Reform Commission. Ideally, Homelycooking, Cincinnatus & I can finish what work needs done.

I will work to create a Second Statutory Review Commission (SRC2). This commission will have more of an emphasis on changing and updating policies, organizing laws of the land, and working with the NEWRC too. I'd like to see the Commission composed of the Governor, two Representatives, and two citizens. Hopefully we can work something out.

I also shall seek a Northeast Tax and Budget Policy Committee to review expenditures and receipts, find the fairest revenue policies, and work to balance the budget. Interested parties should feel free to inform me.  

[Senator Napoleon]

I have issued a number of executive orders, including a Senatorial appointment.

[Senator Napoleon]

Official Gubernatorial Endorsement Press Release

"Governor Napoleon has endorsed former Governor Snowstalker for Assembly in the March 2nd special election. "Snowstalker received the approval of this region's voters in the election. He is also a personal friend and an ally, someone who I will enjoy working across the aisle with and has a strong history serving this region." The Governor indicated that he would like to see the Labor Party represented in the Assembly. "Let us not divide the left in another election: I stand with Snowstalker!" Snowstalker has also been endorsed by Senator-elect Scott and Senator 20RP12.

[Big DaddyTX]

Congrats on winning, and good luck in your term to come. I hope you come to enjoy your time in this office as much as I used to.

 Now it's time for me to retire again to the sunny beaches of Futtbuck, PA and take up my pension from all my other offices. LATE!!!!!

[Senator Napoleon]

Thank you Andrew!!! Im already loving it. Much more fun than the boring Senate, which used to be fun when I had my buddies Snowguy and Fuzzy!!!!! to chill with but has gotten progressively worse since.

[Senator Barnes]

You've been doing a great job since you took office.  As my very first region, I will always wish the best for it, and you're obviously the right one for the job.

By the by, I agree about an executive being a lot more fun.

[Senator Napoleon]

"Those who seek progress and reform in this region must unite behind Snowstalker," Governor Napoleon said. "We need someone with experience who understands the complexity of this region's problems. We cannot afford to treat this election as anything other than an election which will decide the future of this region. I am looking forward to a Regional Renaissance, but I need Snowstalker's assistance."

- New York Times front page

[Senator Napoleon]

Vote for Snowstalker in the special election!!

[Senator Napoleon]

A Statement on Debate

Northeasterners, I was elected on a platform of reforming this region and I intend to work with the Assembly to ensure that Northeast institutions are established and stable for future administrations. I have concerns about the debate tactics of those who are less hopeful and enthusiastic about the region's future. I have tried to foster a healthy debate on these changes. During the transitionary period and for the past week as well, Assemblymen had the opportunity to participate in a SOAP reform. While my administration is supportive of such efforts, we sought input. That some did not provide it over a two week period is disappointing. I do not find outrage and controversy to be helpful to improving this region when mature debate is a possibility. Let us keep this in mind in the future. I have always said reform should be an inclusive effort and I maintain that line of thought as Governor. We can make a difference.

[Senator Napoleon]

I am formally requesting the Assembly to reinstate the third legislative slot in some form or another. There are many low profile items I would like to work with the Assembly on without detracting from anything else.

Thank you,

Governor Napoleon

Citizens, I need your help encouraging positive legislative reform to allow us to move this region forward. Thank you for your help!

[Senator Napoleon]

Hey guys, I have creates the polling booth and will open it at midnight for voting. I want everybody to voice their opinion in this election. If any one finds any errors let me know now so I can fix them ASAP.

[Senator Napoleon]

Im going to open voting in twenty minutes, and am asking Northeastern voters to vote AYE on Constitutional Amendment 1. I would like to get these budget reforms taken care of now, so that I can work with the Assembly to make the process simpler for future Governors and Assemblies.

[Senator Napoleon]

Congrats to Winfield, Pyrofox, Wormyguy, Simfan and Averroes Nix on being elected to the Northeast Assembly. I look forward to a fun and productive session.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Congrats to Winfield, Pyrofox, Wormyguy, Simfan and Averroes Nix on being elected to the Northeast Assembly. I look forward to a fun and productive session.

Do you have an official list of priorities? I would very much like to address our fiscal situation, though I'll wait for you to draft a budget before taking any action myself. I'm sure that there are other issues to be addressed as well.

[Senator Napoleon]

Northeastners, I have introduced a bill that will increase the minimum wage in the region. i find it unfair to our poorest workers that they are provided the same wage as someone doing the same work in Kansas, when the cost of living is so much higher here in the Northeast. With a reduced workweek, it is important that we ensure families have enough income to keep food on the table, and that students with entry-level jobs will earn enough to help reducing their loan burden.

Congrats to Winfield, Pyrofox, Wormyguy, Simfan and Averroes Nix on being elected to the Northeast Assembly. I look forward to a fun and productive session.

Do you have an official list of priorities? I would very much like to address our fiscal situation, though I'll wait for you to draft a budget before taking any action myself. I'm sure that there are other issues to be addressed as well.

My priorities are developing a long term budget procedure, implementing a tax policy, getting old statute up to date, and cleaning up the remaining mess we are in before you are (hopefully) elected.

[Senator Napoleon]

I would like my supporters to vote for Alfred Jones in the upcoming election, as I intend to. Alfred Jones was an active Senator and reformer, I believe he has a bright future here in this region and our Assembly could use his talents. On Friday, go with Mr. Jones!