Pacific Legislature Official Thread

[CatoMinor]

Thought I'd introduce this.

Aaron Burr Day Creation Act.
1. January 13th is hereby made a regional holiday, known as Aaron Burr Day.
2. Aaron Burr has nothing to do with this holiday.

X Jbrase

[CatoMinor]

I'm confused. Wasn't Jbrase Southeast gover, hum, Emperor of the South until recently ?

Anyways :

Educational Incentives Act: Aye

Aaron Burr Day Creation Act: Aye

PiT's now Emperor of the South, so I guess either Jbrase got term-limited.

Educational Incentives Act: Aye

Aaron Burr Day Creation Act: Aye

They do not have term limits, I just felt it was time for someone else to take over since I had governed for most the year.

Educational Incentives Act: Abstain

Aaron Burr Day Creation Act: Aye
 

[CatoMinor]

As Pacific Justice, I declare "Aaron Burr Day" bill unconstitutional, on the grounds that it doesn't explain how it's primary contents can"promote the general welfare"-(Preamble to the Pacific Constitution).  It cannot be passed.

Not that I am disputing your ruling, but doesn't a citizen need to challenge the bill in court before the judicial branch can make judgment on laws?

[CatoMinor]

Amendment to The Religious Institution Classification Act  

The Religious Institution Classification Act is hereby amended to read:

1. Any church or religious institution that requires its members to pay fees shall henceforth be recognized as businesses by the Pacific Region.

2. Every other church or religious institution shall be tax exempt. These groups shall lose their tax exempt status should they:
a. Donate money to a political campaign.
b. Endorse anyone running for public office.
c. Begin requiring members to pay fee's for any reason other than paying for damaged property.  
d. Their school programs do not follow the required curriculum set forth by The Pacific.  


X Jbrase

[CatoMinor]

I'd support the bill if you add a provision requiring their school programs to be conform to the Pacific's programs (so that they can't teach creationism etc).

ok, added.

[CatoMinor]

No, that completely alters the intent of the original law, which is the author's hope, obviously.

What was the intent? If you wanna treat churches that act like businesses as businesses then fine, but if you just want to lump all into the same group like that and tax them as business then that is just bullying.

[CatoMinor]

I'm with Ebowed on this one, it seems. I see no reason to give churches special treatment.

They do a ton of non-profit work. Food drives, shelters, hospitals. Churches a lot of the time are the ones that provide most to those in need. Just because a lot of people in this region are atheist and tend to dislike church is no reason ignore all their good deeds. I see no reason to tax the groups that do nothing more than help others.

[CatoMinor]

No, that completely alters the intent of the original law, which is the author's hope, obviously.

I wasn't here for the original vote, so what was the original intent?

To remove the tax exemption that churches are provided with in the United States.  This proposal restores the tax exemption.

I just wonder if Jbrase's wording covers the LDS' efforts on behalf of Prop 8 in California.  Clearly under any reasonable interpretation they would lose their status, but the real life IRS appears uninterested so far.

Yes under what I wrote the LDS would lose their tax-exempt status.

[CatoMinor]

I would support Jbrase's proposal.

TOO LATE!!!

[CatoMinor]

Nay

[CatoMinor]

People of the Pacific, I submit today a bill of primary importance :


We'll miss you Act

1. November 2th shall hereby be a mourning day known as the Russ, we'll miss you Day, in the honor of former Senator Russ Feingold.
2. During his day, any household that asks for shall be gratuitously supplied in yard signs, posters, T-shirts or pins displaying the words "Russ, we'll miss you", or a picture of Russ Feingold.
3. A household shall be entitled under section 2) to a maximum of two previously cited items.
4. No household that has already received two previously cited items from the Pacific government under section 2) in the previous 10 years shall be entitled to the provision of section 2).


I'd like to attract the attention of Mr Pacific Justice on the fact that, as fmr Senator Feingold has been restlessly working for general welfare for the last 18 years, the We'll miss you Act can be considered as promoting the general welfare.

You're right.  Yes, this will bring closure to all those who will miss Russ, and help them deal with this loss.  I resoundingly approve this bill as constitutional.  It may be passed.



(A single tear glistens in the Justice's eye)

I don't think that explanation justifies this being constitutional. This bill does not promote the general welfare as Feingold does not exist as far as Atlasia is concerned. Thus, to the people of the Pacific he has done nothing to promote general welfare, so this bill does not promote the general welfare.

I think Feingold was one of the better Dem senators, but when you consider he does not exist in Atlasia this bill seems in no way constitutional.   

[CatoMinor]

Aye

[CatoMinor]

The proposal leads me to question whether we are in the position to be providing such massive tax cuts to churches without considering the impact it would have on the budget.  Where is the revenue to replace it going to come from?

Looking back through Pacific statute I see plenty of bills passed that cost the region money while not providing a way to make up for it, yet you take issue when a bill stops taxing the money people donate to churches that would otherwise likely go to the churches funding non-profit programs to help those in need. Unless you are referring to Scientology or maybe a few mega churches it takes a very large misunderstanding of the word "business" to just label all churches as such.

maybe the region could make up the lost revenue by no longer paying for elective abortions. 

[CatoMinor]

I'm introducing this bill. I honestly can't believe this crap is on the books.

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X realisticidealist

X Jbrase

[CatoMinor]

Nay

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[CatoMinor]

Nay

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It doesn't say what kind of firearms though.

This is only banning automatic firearms, not handguns and hunting rifles. 

Exactly, it just says fire arms. it does not not say "The right to keep and bear hand guns, air-rifles, and hunting rifles shall not be infringed, everything else is fair game to ban", it says fire-arms. Automatic weapons are by definition fire-arms, and this bill is with out doubt infringing on the right to keep and bear them, thus this bill is violating constitutional law. Sorry, but I will sue the region should it pass.

I personally dislike fire-arms myself, but people have a right to have them.

[CatoMinor]

Ban of Automatic Weapons Act

4 Aye
3 Nay
2 (abstain)

I veto.

*runs and hides*


Oh, and hopefully I can open voting on the aforementioned latest amendment next week.

No need to run and hide, you can defend yourself with automatic weapons.

[CatoMinor]

I will be resigning from my post as Pacific Justice, effective immediately.  I would rather just be a Regional Activist.


And I am not resigning to run for another office.  

It's been an honor, I guess. 

You served well with your mighty gavel of justice.

[CatoMinor]

I'm introducing this bill. I honestly can't believe this crap is on the books.

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X realisticidealist

X Jbrase

just thought I'd bump this.

[CatoMinor]

Since the assembly is still every citizen of the Pacific, does that mean that a Councilor could still vote in the assembly as well as in the Council?

[CatoMinor]

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X Jbrase

[CatoMinor]

Ok, I know this will fail/be found unconstitutional some how, but I gotta introduce it despite the fact I'll likely be the only vote.

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X Jbrase

[CatoMinor]

Nah, your bill sucks epically, but is constitutional.

Though I'd prefer this one :

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X Antonio V

Ok, If my bill that would have made the day Hamilton was banned a regional holiday and day celebration, "Aaron Burr Day", then I'm gonna question the constitutionality of this

[CatoMinor]

The Pacific General Assembly Amendment : Aye

Antonio V for Pacific Justice : Aye

[CatoMinor]

I also want money to lower the very high unenployment in Nevada!
We need the stimulus!

Yes because the last one obviously solved all our problems and saved the world.

In the words of a rapper/comedian playing the role of F.A. Hayek.

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