NE1: Northeast Budget for FY 2013 [Passed]

[Simfan34]

Nay.

[Comrade Shmoo]

This is Winfield's amendment, no? Then I vote nay.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I've given this some thought. Rep. Simfan, would you be against inserting Rep. Winfield's amendment into this bill and moving the language appropriating funding for the new capital to the New Capital Act itself? If Winfield can support this budget otherwise, I might be willing to accept the change, although I don't understand the purpose behind it.

[Simfan34]

I would be.

There is no reason to pass one law and immediately pass another one amending it.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

On principle, I can support the budget as is, with the exception of half the surplus going to the new capital development.

I am not the least bit convinced any good reason we require a new capital.  This seems to be an absolute priority for some reason.

Somebody please state in clear terms why we need this new capital.  The Assembly and the citizens of the Northeast deserve clear answers, since this entire Assembly, with the exception of myself, seems to be determined to push this through.

What feasibility studies have been done?  What about cost overruns?  Anyone familiar with large scale construction projects knows very well that inevitably cost overruns are going to happen.  How will the taxpayers of the Northeast be protected against cost overruns?    

What if the economy goes south, again, and we do not have this surplus which is projected.  With the passage of this budget, we would be bound by law to devote half of the surplus to new capital development.  What if there is a natural disaster devastating some parts of the Northeast.  We would have an emergency fund sitting there, half of which is earmarked for the new capital.

So at this time, I am voting Aye on the amendment, as a matter of principle.

However, I believe the compromise as outlined by the Governor is the right path to follow, inserting my amendment into the budget bill.  Appropriations for the new capital should be in the New Capital Act.

Governor and members of the Assembly, the purpose behind my amendment is for reasons as discussed above in my statement here.  We need more clarity, the people of the Northeast require more clarity before we rush headlong into constructing a costly new capital, which I believe is unnecessary,  in particular given the difficult economic times we find ourselves living in at this time.

But rather I disagree with the construction or not, the fact remains the people of the Northeast need compelling and valid reasons that this costly project should go ahead.  

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

There is no reason to pass one law and immediately pass another one amending it.

Any law that involves changes to revenue or spending involves amending the budget. Is that the only reason why I shouldn't deem Rep. Winfield's amendment friendly? Remember that the New Capital Bill has my full support, and that I'll be advocating for it alongside you.

[Comrade Shmoo]

Does appropriating the emergency fund count as changing spending? If not, we can pass Winfield's amendment and do the funding in the NCA. If yes, then Simfan's amendment is good and happy and fills my heart with rainbows.

[Simfan34]

I have an amendment?

The current body of the bill makes capital funding dependent on the passage of the NCA. Winfield can support the current text, and if the NCA fails, then we won't need to change this piece.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

That will work for me.

[Comrade Shmoo]

If that issue's resolved (as I believe it is), then shall we vote?

[Simfan34]

Those were two separate statements. The first referred to Rep. Jones' speaking of my "amendment", of which I have none.

The second was me explaining what the current body of the bill says.

We are still voting upon Winfield's amendment.

[Simfan34]

Debate time expires. Winfield's resolution fails to pass, 2-1.

The final version of this bill is as follows:

NORTHEAST BUDGET

Expenditures

$50 billion - School aid
$45 billion - Economic development
$35 billion - Transportation
$25 billion - Public safety
$25 billion - Higher education
$20 billion - Health services
$15 billion - Tax expenditures
  $5 billion - Environment & energy
  $3 billion - Direct aid & incentives to municipalities
  $2 billion - Government administration

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $225 billion

Revenue

$85 billion - Land value tax
$65 billion - Sales tax
$45 billion - Income tax
$21.5 billion - Federal funding
     $12.5 billion to primary and secondary education
     $9 billion to higher education
$18 billion - Excise taxes
  $2 billion - Other sources of revenue (including fines & fees)

TOTAL REVENUE - $236.5 billion

PROJECTED SURPLUS - $11.5 billion
 - 50% of the surplus will be placed in a fund reserved for emergencies. The Northeast Assembly will have the power to allocate this funding.
 - If the Northeast Assembly passes the New Capital Act, the remaining 50% of the surplus will go toward the development of a new regional capital. If the Northeast Assembly does not pass the New Capital Act, this funding will also be placed in the emergency fund.

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999
1.0%    $25,000 - $49,9999
2.0%    $50,000 - $99,999
4.0%    $100,000 - $249,999
6.0%    $250,000 - $999,999
8.0%    $1,000,000 +

Rates remain the same for married couples filing jointly, but brackets are doubled.

Sales tax
4.5% [excludes groceries, clothing, and footwear]

Property tax
$35 per mil on assessed value of unimproved land

Excise Taxes
Gas: 75 cents per gallon
Diesel: 85 cents per gallon
New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $500 per thousand kilograms
Tanning: 33 and 1/3 cents per minute [tax already exists per Northeast Healthy Skin Act]

Voting will last 24 hours or until all have voted.

[Comrade Shmoo]

Aye.

[Governor Scott]

Where's Pyro?

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Where's Pyro?

He hasn't been online since before the holiday, which is understandable, but I'm disappointed with both his and Mondale's levels of activity. We all know that other things come before the game, but it's no fun when elected officials only participate through voting.

[Cincinnatus]

Where's Pyro?

He hasn't been online since before the holiday, which is understandable, but I'm disappointed with both his and Mondale's levels of activity. We all know that other things come before the game, but it's no fun when elected officials only participate through voting.

If they miss 3 consecutive votes, or 1 month of debate time, you can lawfully remove them from office.

[Comrade Shmoo]

Mondale made a statement on the Conkling Act. I don't know where Pyro's been, though.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Both Representatives voted on Equity Before the Law, and it's only been two weeks since swearing in. So it's a bit early to expel anyone, or even to discuss the possibility.

Mondale is new, and Pyrofox has said that he would like to participate more. It's still early in the session. At least for the next week, I'd prefer to be as encouraging as possible

[mondale84]

I apologize for my level of participation (abysmal) but I'm still trying to figure out what's going on and I've been really busy with work.

Anyway, I vote AYE

[Rep Pyrofox]

Sorry, it's a very busy summer on my end. Nonetheless, Aye.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Aye

[Simfan34]

I extend voting time by 24 hours.

AYE.

Voting has ended. The budget passes, 5-0. It awaits your signature, Mr. Governor.