SENATE BILL: Stimulating Efficient Automotive Sales Act (Passed)

[Sbane]

One thing you guys might be missing is that there aren't a lot of cars out there on the roads that get less than 17mpg in the case of sedans and 14mpg in the case of SUV's and trucks. Especially the sedans. I suspect most get a higher mileage than that.

[Napoleon]

One thing you guys might be missing is that there aren't a lot of cars out there on the roads that get less than 17mpg in the case of sedans and 14mpg in the case of SUV's and trucks. Especially the sedans. I suspect most get a higher mileage than that.

That's why the $8 billion price tag is too high. It needs to be one, two max.

[Sopranos Republican]

One thing you guys might be missing is that there aren't a lot of cars out there on the roads that get less than 17mpg in the case of sedans and 14mpg in the case of SUV's and trucks. Especially the sedans. I suspect most get a higher mileage than that.

That's why the $8 billion price tag is too high. It needs to be one, two max.

I would think that might be enough, but I didn't want to change it too drastically. Also I would still like my original question about where the money is coming from answered.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

One thing you guys might be missing is that there aren't a lot of cars out there on the roads that get less than 17mpg in the case of sedans and 14mpg in the case of SUV's and trucks. Especially the sedans. I suspect most get a higher mileage than that.

That's why the $8 billion price tag is too high. It needs to be one, two max.

I would think that might be enough, but I didn't want to change it too drastically. Also I would still like my original question about where the money is coming from answered.

It would probably just eat into the surplus. That's the case with most of the stuff we pass, as I think we're still going off of President Polnut's budget (?).

I could be wrong though.

[Napoleon]

I was the last President to sign a budget.

[Sopranos Republican]

Yeah $8 billion is too much, I amended my amendment above to $3 billion.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I was the last President to sign a budget.

Ah, okay. Was it Polnut's presented budget that got carried over into your term and you ended up signing it? That's the only reason I can think of for why I would've thought it was his... otherwise I'm just totally screwed up.

[Napoleon]

I was the last President to sign a budget.

Ah, okay. Was it Polnut's presented budget that got carried over into your term and you ended up signing it? That's the only reason I can think of for why I would've thought it was his... otherwise I'm just totally screwed up.

That's right. Half of my first term was wasted because the budget was stuck in the executive slot and I couldn't pursue my agenda quickly enough. The budget we ended up with was nothing similar to what President Polnut had proposed, though.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I don't like how severely it cuts the car rebate for very little reason, but if this is the best I'll get, I'll sign it without too much grumbling.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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[Napoleon]

Um, hostile. I'd like to work with Matt and the President on fine tuning the amendment before accepting.

[Sbane]

I really think we need a higher rebate than what Matt is proposing.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Yeah, I like the idea of combining the two rebate ideas together just fine, but I don't see a reason to so dramatically gut the car rebates.

[Sopranos Republican]

Yeah, I like the idea of combining the two rebate ideas together just fine, but I don't see a reason to so dramatically gut the car rebates.

I really think we need a higher rebate than what Matt is proposing.

I am more than happy to discuss what would work best. The only reason I proposed slashing the rebates, was because I thought we may need more room if we are going to include bicycles and mopeds.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I'd suggest cutting the bike rebate to something like $75 or $100, removing the moped rebate completely, and putting the car rebate at a value around $3,500.

I could give some thoughtful explanation, but I really don't have one.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Agreed on reducing the bike rebate, not on removing the moped one.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Agreed on reducing the bike rebate, not on removing the moped one.

Fair enough, but it should be in a category separate from bikes.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Certainly.

[Sopranos Republican]

I like this idea, what about sport utility cars and trucks? How about somewhere around $2,500-$3,000?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I will withhold a vote since the amendment sponsor appears to be negotiating the content to some extent. Please be sure to inform me if a vote is still desired on that amendment 54:43.

[Napoleon]

I will be offering my own amendment in an hour or two, in corporating a lot of what we have already discussed.

[Napoleon]

Stimulating Efficient Automotive Sales Act

Section 1: Rebates

1. An optional rebate of $2,500-$3,000 shall be given to consumers who purchase a compact automobile (car) with a rating of at least 37 miles to the gallon or more.

2. An optional rebate of $1,500-$2,000 shall be given to consumers who purchase a Sport Utility Vehicle or truck with a rating of at least 30 miles to the gallon or more.

3. An optional rebate of $50-$75 shall be given to consumers who purchase a bicycle for commute purposes.  An optional rebate of $400 shall be given to consumers who purchase a moped.
 
4. The total amount of the rebate shall be determined by the amount of gas mileage to the gallon.

5. A total of $2 billion shall be appropriated to this program.

6. This program shall come to an end eight months after being signed into law, or the depletion of the funds appropriated, whichever first occurs.

Section 2: Eligibility

1. To qualify for the rebate outlined in Section 1, Clause 1, the consumer must have a car that is a model manufactured at least ten years ago, and has been estimated by the EPA to travel 17 miles to the gallon.

2. To qualify for the rebate outlined in Section 1, Clause 2, the consumer must have a Sport Utility Vehicle or truck that is a model manufactured at least ten years ago, and has been estimated by the EPA to travel 14 miles to the gallon.

This is what I offer as the amended bill.

[Sopranos Republican]

This is better, I will withdraw my amendment, and I intend to vote for Senator Napoleon's.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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[Napoleon]

Onl the first amendmEnt offered is deemed friendly.