NE1: Fair Tolls Act (Law)

[cinyc]

Fair Tolls Act

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Sponsor: Rep. Deus naturae

Debate on this bill will remain open for 72 hours, or until around 4:30PM on Sunday, March 9, unless modified or extended.  The sponsor, Rep. Deus, is encouraged to speak on behalf of the bill within the next 36 hours.  If he does not, because there is no legislation pending in the queue, there will be no penalty.

The floor is open for debate.

[cinyc]

For reference, the Northeast Necessary Use Tolls Act of 2013 states:

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[Deus Naturae]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Northeast Necessary Use Tolls Act was a step in the wrong direction. It allowed the people who derive the most benefit from public highways to contribute the least towards funding them. Not only that, but it did so by implementing a toll hike on everyone else! This bill would ensure that all highway users pay their fair share towards funding them, while also implementing a toll decrease that all highway users will benefit from.

[Napoleon]

We should keep the EZ pass system for $10 a month per student/commuter. I could get behind this.

[sentinel]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Northeast Necessary Use Tolls Act was a step in the wrong direction. It allowed the people who derive the most benefit from public highways to contribute the least towards funding them. Not only that, but it did so by implementing a toll hike on everyone else! This bill would ensure that all highway users pay their fair share towards funding them, while also implementing a toll decrease that all highway users will benefit from.

I signed this bill while dramatically increasing funding for infrastructure including roads. I think this bill is fair, and I'd vote against its repeal. I am open to amending the bill. In addition, this bill lessens traffic by requiring cars be eqiipped with an EZPass (whether its the manufacturer or owner providing it isn't defined.)

[Deus Naturae]

Cinci, Cinyc, and SWE, what are your opinions? I have a vague idea of an amendment but I'd like to here the opinions of the other Representatives before I propose anything.

[SWE]

I think a full repeal goes too far

[Napoleon]

I think a full repeal goes too far

Would you support my compromise suggestion?

[cinyc]

Cinci, Cinyc, and SWE, what are your opinions? I have a vague idea of an amendment but I'd like to here the opinions of the other Representatives before I propose anything.

This one is hard for me to judge.  On the one hand, I have no idea why tolls were linked to income instead of use to begin with.  That defeats the purpose of the toll and makes it a tax.  And I'm also not sure how tolls can be $1.50 or $1.00 when in the real world they're usually higher in the real Northeast (and often mileage-based instead of flat-fee).  And trucks usually pay more than cars.  On the other hand, I don't like to hike taxes or fees whenever possible.  Putting the tolls back on low-income and certain-use drivers is increasing a fee on them, even if tolls are lowered for others.

Cinci is no longer a Representative.  He took a federal job.  Governor Dallasfan65 named sirnick to replace him.

[Napoleon]

Motion to extend debate

[Simfan34]

I oppose this legislation.

[Deus Naturae]

Motion to extend debate

I second this. I just got home, and need more time to work on this. Simfan, why do you oppose this? I would like to address your concerns but I cannot until you state what those concerns are.

[Deus Naturae]

I think a full repeal goes too far

Would you support my compromise suggestion?

To be clear, your proposal was to allow a 10 per month free pass for frequent users while repealing the rest of the Necessary Use Tolls Act?

[Napoleon]

I think a full repeal goes too far

Would you support my compromise suggestion?

To be clear, your proposal was to allow a 10 per month free pass for frequent users while repealing the rest of the Necessary Use Tolls Act?

Yeah basically that.

[cinyc]

Napoleon, how long do you want to extend debate?  For now, debate will be extended until I see Napoleon's response. 

For the purposes of clarity, Napoleon's motion to extend was made before 4:30.  I wasn't around at 4:30 when debate would have otherwise closed.  I will rule on the motion when Napoleon responds. 

[Deus Naturae]

Am I allowed to propose an amendment while the extension of debate is pending?

[cinyc]

Am I allowed to propose an amendment while the extension of debate is pending?

Yes.  Debate is extended until I see Napoleon's response.  I'm likely to rule favorably on Napoleon's motion to extend as long as it is not excessive.

[Deus Naturae]

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[cinyc]

Your Section 3(1) says all other tolls will be subjected to the above fee, but you deleted the section that mentions what the fee is.

[Deus Naturae]

Your Section 3(1) says all other tolls will be subjected to the above fee, but you deleted the section that mentions what the fee is.

Fixed. I think it's better that we just get rid of that section.

[Napoleon]

24 hours should be enough Mr Speaker.

[cinyc]

Okay.  Debate shall remain open until 10PM tomorrow.  That's about 24 hours.  I want to close the debate at an hour when I know I will be around.

[cinyc]

Your Section 3(1) says all other tolls will be subjected to the above fee, but you deleted the section that mentions what the fee is.

Fixed. I think it's better that we just get rid of that section.

Then what's the toll?

[Deus Naturae]

Your Section 3(1) says all other tolls will be subjected to the above fee, but you deleted the section that mentions what the fee is.

Fixed. I think it's better that we just get rid of that section.

Then what's the toll?

I may be misreading the act, but, upon a closer look, I think that these tolls are actually being set by individual states, and $1.00 was just the average. If that's the case, then it really didn't make sense to require states to raise it in the first place.

[Deus Naturae]

So, what is everyones' opinion of the amended version?