NE 1: Capital Referendum Act of 2012 - Passed

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

A BILL


To authorize the People to decide the new capital location.



Be it enacted by Assembly of the Northeast Region.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Capital Referendum Act of 2012.’

SECTION 2. BALLOT REFERENDUM

1.) In the following election, the Governor will be authorized to include the following referendum on the Northeast regional election ballot:

Proposition 1: Northeast Capital Location

In what city should the Northeast government seek to locate the capital in?

[  ] New Haven, CT
[  ] Buffalo, NY
[  ] Rochester, NY
[  ] Walden, NY
[  ] Write-in:___________________
[  ] Keep the location as is
[  ] Abstain

2.) The selected location shall be determined via preferential vote.

3.) The Northeast government will be obligated to honor the decision of its constituents, and will name the new location of the capital with the appropriate amendment.

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Sponsor:  Senator Scott

Debate time:  72 hours

[Governor Scott]

I don't think much explanation is necessary.  It is my understanding that the best way of settling this 'new capital' dispute is to let the voters decide for themselves if and where the capital should be established, because few Representatives seem willing to cave on this issue.

[Comrade Shmoo]

I agree with Scott.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

We should discuss which choices should appear on the ballot. If I recall correctly, no one has attempted to make a serious case for Rochester, and advocacy for New Haven seems to have ceased. Let's leave these choices off of the ballot unless someone plans to argue in their favor.

I do have some reservations about subjecting this decision to a referendum. I suggest that we organize a public debate between supporters of potential locations to educate the public.

[Comrade Shmoo]

I believe we already did that, didn't we? There was a poll and we got some nice discussion going on in there.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I believe we already did that, didn't we? There was a poll and we got some nice discussion going on in there.

Mostly from proponents of the Buffalo site. I don't think anyone mentioned why they favor New Haven or Walden, but if we're sending this to the people they deserve to hear the arguments in favor of each potential site.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

This is an issue that has the potential to go on and on.

I am not totally convinced that this issue should go to a referendum.  I am not absolutely opposed to one, however.

The elected representatives of the people were elected to make tough decisions.  The Assembly could get feedback from the public in public hearings, and then make a decision based on that.

[Governor Scott]

The Representatives here should know that I merely proposed this bill as a last resort, because the previous debates on the matter have gotten us nowhere and The People should not have to live with an Assembly that can't reach a solution.  Unless there comes a strong preference in the Assembly for where to establish the new capital location, I think it's best to give voters the final say.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Not to worry - I'll sign this into law without hesitation if we can't reach agreement.

Scott, what are your thoughts on removing Rochester and New Haven from the bill?

[Governor Scott]

I'm a tad indifferent on where the location should be at this time, so I'm letting the Assembly decide on how the ballot should appear.

I don't really see the point in removing them, though.  If the people don't think New Haven or Rochester are appropriate locations, then they will promptly vote against them.

[mondale84]

I am in favor of the referendum because I believe we should empower the people to choose their own capital.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I am in favor of the referendum because I believe we should empower the people to choose their own capital.

Could you be bothered to contribute more than a sentence-length platitudes to Assembly debate at some point?

Admittedly, that's a harsh way of putting it. But this body could not reach agreement on the new capital location, in large part, because Mondale and Pyrofox were content with stating their preferences and taking no further part in debate. Obviously, the Assembly cannot reach a consensus when its members behave this way.

Participate democracy, in this game, is often a failure. The inactivity of the Midwest and Pacific regions are ample evidence of this. I've stated numerous times that I don't have a problem with sending this decision to the people - in principle. But I won't support this bill when it's an excuse for Assembly dysfunction born of lacking participation. The Assembly is capable of reaching a more well-reasoned choice than The People. That is why they elected you, after all.

I apologize to those who favor this referendum, but I've decided that I cannot sign this bill in good conscience. (I haven't decided whether I'd actually veto it.) I can, on the other hand, support whatever consensus the Assembly reaches on the location of a new capital. It's not as if there's any need to rush this matter. Reach an agreement or the next Assembly will.

[Cincinnatus]

Gentleman, we should be able to work together amongst ourselves in determining the capital location.  Remember that once we actually decide on a location, The People will be left to approve the amended section to the constitution anyway.  Let's not let such an important matter linger.  Let's do our job, and govern.  The People will approve or disapprove of our judgement soon enough.  I recommend that the Assembly use Proposition 1 of this proposal, and initiate a vote in the Assembly as soon as possible.

[mondale84]

I am sorry for my terse comments, but I have to disagree. I think it would be much better to put such a vote to the people. My intent in holding this opinion is not to relieve the Assembly of its responsibility vis-à-vis governing the region, but to give the people of the region a real choice as to where their new capital should be located. They shouldn't merely rubber stamp our decision, we should solicit their input by putting this to a referendum, perhaps with multiple runoff rounds so as to decide on a capital that has been proposed and is supported by the people. There is plenty of room to amend this Act, but I would certainly prefer passing this bill to empower the people of this great region rather than having us decide the substance of this issue for them behind closed doors. Yes we are the elected representatives of the region, but I think an important issue such as this should be sent directly to the people.

[Comrade Shmoo]

Gentleman, we should be able to work together amongst ourselves in determining the capital location.  Remember that once we actually decide on a location, The People will be left to approve the amended section to the constitution anyway.  Let's not let such an important matter linger.  Let's do our job, and govern.  The People will approve or disapprove of our judgement soon enough.  I recommend that the Assembly use Proposition 1 of this proposal, and initiate a vote in the Assembly as soon as possible.

We haven't been able to govern so far, and I don't want to have to do a trial and error session with the will of The People.

[Simfan34]

I do not think that the Assembly, by our current rules, could ever agree to location to the new Capital. It should be left to the people .

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

"By our current rules"?

[Cincinnatus]

You guys realize we can use preferential voting here, right?..

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Debate has now closed.

We will now vote on this bill.  Voting will last for 24 hours or until all Representatives have voted.

Vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Nay

[Comrade Shmoo]

Aye.

[mondale84]

Aye

[Simfan34]

Aye

[Cincinnatus]

Nay

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

All Representatives have voted.

The results -

Aye          3

Nay          2

The bill is carried.