NE 2: Happy Restitution Act (Debate)

[rpryor03]

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Sponsor: Representative Rpryor03

Debate on this bill will last for 72 hours, or until 2:44 PM on Thursday August 7, unless modified or extended. The sponsor has 36 hours to advocate for this proposed legislation. If he does not, this bill will be tabled as there is other pending legislation in the queue.

[rpryor03]

The fact is, my fellow representatives, that we banned the song Happy, causing the loss of many dollars to Pharell Williams and his associates. This is a fair way to repay them for the distress that the region caused.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

The fact is, my fellow representatives, that we banned the song Happy, causing the loss of many dollars to Pharell Williams and his associates. This is a fair way to repay them for the distress that the region caused.

As I asked in the other thread, since when do we have phive slots?

Ten thousand dollars is a laughably small amount of restitution when discussing matters like this, although I don't support giving Pharrell so much as a sixpence for writing that song.

Phurthermore, the Supreme Court's opinion in Scott v. The Northeast states:

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[Sopranos Republican]

Why would we pass an official song when we already have a kickass classic as our anthem?:

[Talleyrand]

I oppose this bill on both grounds.

As Dallasfan pointed out, Happy has received incomparable publicity from this incident, which has probably allowed Pharrell and his associates to rake millions more than they would have had it not been for the ban. No restitution is required.

And as Matt pointed out, NGGYU is already our regional anthem. We don't need to replace it with something awful.

[free my dawg]

I am strongly opposed to this bill. I find the Happy Restitution Act a frivolous waste of the Northeast taxpayers' money, and completely unnecessary. In fact, from the increased airplay in other regions (namely the IDS and the Midwest) and from the controversy, it is much more likely that Pharrell Williams gained more than $10,000 after the song was banned, not lost money. The Northeast taxpayers' money has much better uses than being used as a handout to those who can help themselves.

As for the question of the regional anthem, such a sacred institution should not be changed willy-nilly. The Northeast Regional Anthem is not an institution that should be changed to make up for perceived transgressions - rather, a song that represents the great values of the Northeast. Never Gonna Give You Up represents our region well enough already - not only is it a great song, it represents the values of the Northeast: peace, love, community, freedom, and loyalty. These values are sacrosanct, and we must not infringe on them.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Gonna make lemonade out of this lemon.

Amendment offered:

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OK. This was before the time of many current Representatives, but AndrewCT had a long tenure of public service in our region - he served as its Regional Senator, Chief Judicial officer, and had a year of consecutive service as Governor (as well as some stints before and after.) We gave him a county but I believe that he's deserving of a bit more, and I consider this to be the best opportunity.

Why Alex Grey?

I'm certainly no expert on artistry, but I find Alex Grey's work to be pretty dope.

Here's his painting The Net of Being, which is my current laptop background:

The Net of Being

Also, considering the progress that we've made in further liberalizing our marijuana laws, here's another good painting he's done:

Potentially NSFW?

I imagine an Alex Grey rendering of AndrewCT would look pretty cool, and he is deserving of the best.

[free my dawg]

I can get behind this bill, provided it is amended as follows. AndrewCT was a brilliant Senator, CJO, and governor, but also a personal acquaintance of mine, before I ran for office. He deserves a portrait in the Governor's Mansion, and if we are to spend $10,000, we should spend it respecting our history.

[BaconBacon96]

I will never support anything like this. The song ban was repealed, that should be enough.

[Sopranos Republican]

Andrew is one of the best and brightest this region, and nation have ever had. This is a much better use of our money than subsidizing millionaires. I will sign the amended version if it comes up while I'm acting Governor, and I'm sure Talley will do the same.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Rpryor, is the amendment friendly or no?

[rpryor03]

Rpryor, is the amendment friendly or no?

I'll accept it as friendly.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Rpryor, is the amendment friendly or no?

I'll accept it as friendly.

Good.

Now since debate time has expired, can a brother get a vote in this biatch?

[rpryor03]

Voting shall commence on the amended bill, offered by DallasFan.

Voting on this bill will last 48 hours,  or until all representatives have voted.

[rpryor03]

Aye

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye

Mr. Acting Gov, I'm not certain that you can vote while serving in Talley's stead.

[free my dawg]

Aye.

[SWE]

Aye

[SWE]

The voting period is now over.  By a vote of 4-0-0, this bill goes to the governor for his signature or veto.

[SWE]

The governor has signed this bill into law