NE4: March-June Northeast Budget FY2014 (Law)

[Napoleon]

Technically you can just eliminate lines from the budget. That said, we probably should not.

The regional budget procedure structure is another gift from me to you. Any questions regarding the functions may be directed toward me.

[cinyc]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, I see no different rules for amendments to a budget than amendments to ordinary legislation.  So the first question is whether the sponsor, Governor Dallasfan65, deems Rep. Deus' amendment friendly.  If he does, it will be incorporated.  If he does not, it will be put to a vote of the Assembly.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Thank you Mr. Gm! And, whoa, surplus!

OK.

I plan to try and get rid of a few line items when Governor Dallasfan's budget procedure amendment is being debated, but for now I will withdraw my previous amendment and offer this one instead:

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I think there is some merit to what Deus is saying about energy spending, but I don't think the Assembly would reach a consensus on eliminating these entirely - not to mention that we've already got a pretty big surplus.

What if we were to eliminate funding on refitting government buildings, and reduce the amount of funding we have for alternative energy?

Also, I think given the current surplus we have, we should explore reducing tax rates (or eliminating them outright for the  $25,000 - $49,999 bracket). Tax cuts aren't a big priority of mine, but with the surpluses we've been having (and the amount of money we have in the Disaster Relief Fund) we'd be effectively hoarding money.

That being said I will need some of the surplus left over once I introduce legislation wrt police cameras (these can be pricey.)

How does the Assembly feel about his?

[cinyc]

So Deus' proposed amendment isn't friendly?

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

So Deus' proposed amendment isn't friendly?

Unfriendly for now. Though I do agree that we should pear these down a bit.

[cinyc]

I'm going to give Rep. Deus a few hours to pull or amend his proposed amendment.  If he does not, I will put it up for a vote around 11:00PM (or earlier, if he wants to go forward with a vote before then).

[Deus Naturae]

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I still think we should get rid of the special loan program completely because, not only have clean energy sources been developed at this point, but we also have a regional bank that provides loans. Money spent on the clean energy loan program is effectively just money spent to give energy companies a fast pass on a process that's already open to them.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Mm, that seems like a good point.

Amendment is friendly.

[Deus Naturae]

So, is everyone fine with the current expenditures? I might have an amendment regarding tax expenditures later but I'd like to start discussing revenues if the Representatives are content with that.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

So, is everyone fine with the current expenditures? I might have an amendment regarding tax expenditures later but I'd like to start discussing revenues if the Representatives are content with that.

Not a Representative, but that sounds good to me.

As mentioned before, I'd like to look into lowering or eliminating taxes for some brackets, given the surpluses we've had. I don't think it'd break the bank.

[cinyc]

I am happy with the current budget or with lowering some tax rates.  The surplus isn't excessive.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

I am happy with the current budget or with lowering some tax. The surplus isn't excessive.

The surplus in itself may not be excessive, but when you consider the amount that we have in the Rainy Day fund (>13 billion) it is.

How do you feel about eliminating the $25,000 - $49,999 bracket entirely? This would affect the surplus the least and would also allow working families to keep more of their income.

Cincinnatus may not be in the Assembly anymore, but he's certainly not forgotten about us. He was kind enough to PM me, as to what this would look like:

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[Deus Naturae]

I support Governor Dallasfan's proposal.

I am also introducing an amendment to eliminate the tanning tax

Here is my reasoning:

The tanning tax is a tax upon the use of tanning beds. Not only is this blatant discrimination against tanning establishments, but it is an insult to those citizens of the Northeast who wish to improve their tan. Who are we to try and tax them out of existence because they want to tan their skin? In addition, this tax risks causing the MTV show Jersey Shore, a valuable commercial asset, to depart our region and set up shop in a region that doesn't want to tax tanners out of existence. Besides, the tax hardly generates any revenue anyway, and it seems doubtful that it actually deter tanners, but rather would only serve to make their habit more expensive, and thus more harmful to themselves.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

I support Governor Dallasfan's proposal.

I am also introducing an amendment to eliminate the tanning tax

Here is my reasoning:

The tanning tax is a tax upon the use of tanning beds. Not only is this blatant discrimination against tanning establishments, but it is an insult to those citizens of the Northeast who wish to improve their tan. Who are we to try and tax them out of existence because they want to tan their skin? In addition, this tax risks causing the MTV show Jersey Shore, a valuable commercial asset, to depart our region and set up shop in a region that doesn't want to tax tanners out of existence. Besides, the tax hardly generates any revenue anyway, and it seems doubtful that it actually deter tanners, but rather would only serve to make their habit more expensive, and thus more harmful to themselves.

Despite my preference for fair complexions, I would support such a measure.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

For the record, Deus' amendment is friendly.

I don't want to tarry too much longer on this - are there any other revisions that the Assembly would like to make?

[sentinel]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

[Deus Naturae]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

When I said, "I am also introducing an amendment..." I mean that i was introducing it right then, not that I was planning to introduce it in the future.

[cinyc]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

When I said, "I am also introducing an amendment..." I mean that i was introducing it right then, not that I was planning to introduce it in the future.

You didn't give me the language, which I need to put the final bill together.

[Deus Naturae]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

When I said, "I am also introducing an amendment..." I mean that i was introducing it right then, not that I was planning to introduce it in the future.

You didn't give me the language, which I need to put the final bill together.

Am I allowed to just strike out the tax?

Also, since this is the "March-June" budget would the regional government shut down if we didn't pass the budget by the end of March?

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

When I said, "I am also introducing an amendment..." I mean that i was introducing it right then, not that I was planning to introduce it in the future.

You didn't give me the language, which I need to put the final bill together.

Am I allowed to just strike out the tax?

Also, since this is the "March-June" budget would the regional government shut down if we didn't pass the budget by the end of March?

I don't know if there's a precedent for that. In real life, most likely.

[sentinel]

Deus never introduced the amendment regarding the tanning tax.

When I said, "I am also introducing an amendment..." I mean that i was introducing it right then, not that I was planning to introduce it in the future.

You didn't give me the language, which I need to put the final bill together.

Am I allowed to just strike out the tax?

Also, since this is the "March-June" budget would the regional government shut down if we didn't pass the budget by the end of March?

I don't know if there's a precedent for that. In real life, most likely.

Propose the language, Deus.

[sentinel]

AMENDMENT. Includes Deus and Dallasfan's suggestions since no one else did it

[quote]

March-June Northeast Budget FY2014

IN THE NORTHEAST ASSEMBLY

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the budget for the Northeast Government lasting from March 2014 until June 2014

Resolved by the Northeast Assembly convened,

Expenditures

$57 billion - School aid
$29.00 billion ..... Elementary, Secondary & Vocational education
$28.00 billion ….. Northeastern Higher Education Act

$36.783 billion - Economic development
$15.00 billion ...... Community development
$15.00 billion ...... Area and regional development
$6.783 billion ...... Anti-Homelessness Act

$65.5 billion - Transportation
$15.00 billion ..... Highways and highway safety
$15.00 billion ...... Mass transit
$25 billion ...... Railroads
$1.50 billion ..... Air Transportation
$1.00 billion ...... Water transportation
$1.00 billion ...... Other transportation
$7.00 billion ..... Non-Highway Roads

$25 billion - Public safety

$26.025 billion - Health services
$0.025 billion  …..Healthy Northeast Is A Strong Northeast Act
$4.00 billion ...... STEM Cell Research Act
$3.00 billion ...... Substance abuse and mental health services
$2.00 billion ....... Disease control, public health and bioterrorism
$12.00 billion ..... Health research and training
$3.00 billion ...... Food safety and occupational health and safety
$2.00 billion ..... Other health care services

$15 billion - Tax expenditures

$2 billion - Environment & energy
$2.00 Billion  ...... Updating the Northeast's current energy infrastructure


$3 billion - Direct aid & incentives to municipalities

$2 billion - Government administration

===============================

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $ update billion

===============================

Disaster Relief Fund

20% of all budget surpluses shall automatically be allocated to a Disaster Relief Fund which may be spent during emergencies at the discretion of the Governor via executive order.

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0.000 B)
0.0%    $25,000 - $49,9999 ($0.000 B)
0.50%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($4.502 B)
2.00%    $100,000 - $249,999 ($7.769)
5.0%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($10.416 B)
7.5%   $1,000,000 + ($5.560 B)

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

Sales tax
1.0% ($15.477 B)

Property tax
$35 per mil on assessed value of unimproved land ($133.508 B)

Excise Taxes
Gas: 68 cents per gallon ($55.466 B)
Diesel: $1 per gallon ($14.407 B)
New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $500 per thousand kilograms ($0.23959 B)
Tanning: 0 cents per minute [tax already exists per Northeast Healthy Skin Act] ($0 B)

Endowment Tax – 1% tax on the endowment of private universities to finance the Northeastern Higher Education Act – ($2.00 B)

===============================

TOTAL REVENUES - $About 249B needs updating

===============================

PROJECTED SURPLUS - ~10B needs updating

=================================
Rider: The Northeast Healthy Skin Act is hereby repealed upon passage of this budget.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Awesome, sirnick .

I don't have any further suggestions at this juncture, though later on I will want to appropriate some of the surplus (will be filed under public safety.)

I think it'd be advisable that we pass this with haste, as to avoid any potential shutdowns/damages to our credit rating.

[cinyc]

I'm going to make a motion for cloture.  All those in favor shall say aye, those opposed nay.

Per past practice, this vote will remain open for the earlier of 48 hours or when a majority of Representatives have voted Aye.

[cinyc]

Aye