Official October 2005 Budget Thread

[Sam Spade]

2c.  Education Sub-Dept. - $56.374 billion (-$10.060 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.060 billion for FY 2006.

*The July budget approved the following cuts in these programs:

- $10.000 billion for FY 2006 in across-the-board cuts to the Education Sub-Dept.

2d.  Health and Human Services Sub-Dept. - $569.589 billion (-$2.000 billion)

*F.L. 8-6 repeals the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003.  The corresponding cuts for FY 2006 are $1.800 billion.  Cuts for FY 2007 through FY 2016 have been estimated at $557.700 billion, but these figures may change.

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.200 billion for FY 2006.

2e.  Housing and Urban Development Sub-Dept. - $33.386 billion (-$0.656 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.030 billion for FY 2006.

*The following programs were declared unconstitutional by Bono v. Atlasia II, and will cut from the FY 2006 Budget:

- Public and Indian Housing Programs, specifically the Native American Housing Block Grant cutting $0.626 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

2f.  Labor Sub-Dept. - $57.266 billion (-$0.055 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.055 billion for FY 2006.

2g.  Transportation Sub-Dept. - $58.711 billion (+0.335 billion)

*F.L. 4-8 states that $0.385 billion shall be allotted to restoring the Atlantic Intracostal Waterway to standard and restoring the Gulf Intracostal Waterway to standard.  The term of this appropriation is for FY 2006 only.

*F.L. 5-4 states that $0.010 billion per year shall be allotted for research in Mag-Lev trains.  The term on this appropriation is 20 years, starting in FY 2006 and ending in FY 2025.

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.060 billion for FY 2006.

2h.  Treasury Sub-Dept. - $396.356 billion (-$0.155 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.100 billion for FY 2006.

*The March budget approved the following programs for elimination:

- Departmental Offices, specifically the Presidential Election Campaign Fund cutting $0.055 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

2i.  National Science Foundation - $5.764 billion (-$0.006 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this foundation is $0.006 billion for FY 2006.

2j.  Office of Personal Management - $57.628 billion (-$6.060 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this office is $0.060 billion for FY 2006.

*The July budget approved the following cuts in these programs:

- $6.000 billion for FY 2006 in across-the-board cuts to the Office of Personnel Management.

2k.  Small Business Administration - $0 billion (-$0.681 billion)

*The July budget approved the Small Business Administration for elimination, cutting $0.681 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

2l.  Social Security Administration - $554.881 billion (-$0.150 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.150 billion for FY 2006.

3.  Justice Dept. - $17.786 billion (-$3.990 billion)

*F.L. 6-4 states that $0.020 billion shall be allotted to the FBI for the investigation and prosecution of those possessing, producing and distributing child pornography.  The term on this appropriation is for FY 2006 only.

*F.L. 6-4 states that $0.005 billion shall be allotted to the FBI for a fund to pay for the therapy of families unable to afford therapy to abused children.  The term on this appropriation is for FY 2006 only.

*F.L. 6-19 makes the consumption, sale or possession of marijuana decriminalized by the federal government of Atlasia.  The corresponding cuts in law enforcement total $4.000 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.015 billion for FY 2006.

4.  State and International Affairs Dept. - $17.873 billion (-$11.277 billion)

4a.  State Dept. - $10.873 billion (-$0.020 billion)

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.020 billion for FY 2006.

4b.  International Assistance Programs - $7.000 billion (-$11.257 billion)

*F.L. 5-1 states that $0.660 billion shall be allotted for funding to Taiwan.  The term on this appropriation is for FY 2006 only.  This figure shall increase to $0.720 billion for FY 2007, whereafter the term on this appropration is undefined, therefore it lasts forever, until repealed.

*F.L. 6-7 states that $0.010 billion shall be allotted for aid towards pro-democracy groups in Lebanon and Iran.  The term on this appropriation is for FY 2006 only.

*F.L. 8-10 states that $0.025 billion shall be allotted to the United Nations relief fund for direct aid for the people of Niger.  The term on this appropration is for FY 2006 only.

*F.L. 10-1 approves cuts in salaries for employees of all federal agencies and departments for FY 2006 only.  The total amount of the cuts in this department is $0.005 billion for FY 2006.

*F.L. 10-4 approves across-the-board cuts of $5.402 billion for FY 2006 in the International Assistance Programs division of the State Department.  This excludes the funds already appropriated by the Senate in relevant legislation for FY 2006.

- International Development Assistance, specifically the Africa Development Foundation cutting $0.017 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

- International Development Assistance , specifically the Trade and Development Agency cutting $0.050 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

- International Development Assistance , specifically the Overseas Private Investment Corporation adding $0.187 billion for FY 2006 and all future years.

Note:  I have changed Emsworth's figures on all three above cuts, which on further review, were not accurate.

It is the GM's suggestion that funding be reappropriated on the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency, as both work together and provide moneys for the government.

*The July budget approved the following cuts in these programs:

- Agency for International Development specifically, the Assistance for Eastern Europe cutting $0.402 billion for FY 2006.  (budget remaining - $0.008 billion)

- International Assistance Programs, specifically the Agency for International Development cutting $3.390 billion for FY 2006.  (budget remaining - $2.027 billion[/b]

- International Assistance Programs, specifically the Peace Corps cutting $0.284 million for FY 2006.  (budget remaining - $0.117 billion)

- $2.589 billion for FY 2006 in across-the-board cuts to International Assistance Programs, excluding the funds already appropriated by the Senate in relevant legislation for FY 2006.

Total:  $2,535.859 billion ($2.536 trillion)

Allowances:  -$0.798 billion

Total (BA):  $2,535.061 billion ($2.535 trillion)

Offsetting Receipts:  $111.204 billion

FINAL PROPOSED BUDGET:  $2,423.857 billion ($2.424 trillion)

FINAL PROJECTED REVENUES: $1,991.167 Billion ($1.991 trillion)

PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT: $432.690 billion

FINAL PROJECTED GDP:  $11.062 Trillion

[Jake]

Now we see the seemingly random cuts made. Assistance to farmers in the Third World received 500 million, assistance to fight drug lords in Columbia received none. We appropriate 10 billion to assist Katrina victims, while slashing programs that assisted many of the victims beforehand. The work of certain individuals (I certainly won't call them libertarians, nor budget hawks) is appaling in its scope. I hope the new Senate can work together to re-examine this budget, fix the discrepencies, and try to spend to money we have better. Balancing a budget shouldn't be our goal, instead we should try to smartly appropriate our federal dollars to programs that benefit our nation, our people, and our standing in the world, not merely cut for the sake of cutting.

[Sam Spade]

Now we see the seemingly random cuts made. Assistance to farmers in the Third World received 500 million, assistance to fight drug lords in Columbia received none. We appropriate 10 billion to assist Katrina victims, while slashing programs that assisted many of the victims beforehand. The work of certain individuals (I certainly won't call them libertarians, nor budget hawks) is appaling in its scope. I hope the new Senate can work together to re-examine this budget, fix the discrepencies, and try to spend to money we have better. Balancing a budget shouldn't be our goal, instead we should try to smartly appropriate our federal dollars to programs that benefit our nation, our people, and our standing in the world, not merely cut for the sake of cutting.

The Katrina funding was an absolutely necessary one-time expense, as will the next installment.  Not doing so would have bad consequences.

The other cuts might be hurting the economy, might not.  Maybe the GM will write something on this. 

If I were a Senator, there are some other cuts that I would suggest and some cuts in funding I would restore, but since I'm not, I won't, unless asked.

I also found it highly amusing that three different bills/cuts addressed farm subsidies, at least 15 addressed International Assistance Programs, and there were two different bills addressing troop pay.

I think this shows that this board has clearly been dominated by Democratic think tank operatives with a libertarian bent, but that's just me.  Whether that's good or bad or not is up to you. 

[MasterJedi]

Tally:

2 Aye
0 Nay
0 Abstain

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Question? How long has this Senate session got to go?

[MasterJedi]

Question? How long has this Senate session got to go?

I believe the new session starts on January 6 but I could be wrong. So everybody hurry up and vote!!!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Question? How long has this Senate session got to go?

I believe the new session starts on January 6 but I could be wrong. So everybody hurry up and vote!!!

No... on reflection... I don't think we should be rushing things. Two reasons; 1. a budget rushed out to fit in with a political deadline would not play well with business and might end up damaging consumer confidence, 2. it won't actually save us any time... there look like there could be a lot of things left over from the budget that many Senators would like to see "solved" in the next session... and bearing in mind the way the introduction system works, this could result in it being as badly clogged up as it was for most of this session.
Best thing to do might be to work out what changes to make to the provisional budget in what's left of this session (or at least get as far as we can) and then have a proper vote on it very early on in the next session, getting the problem out of the way for a while and keeping the intro thing not as blocked up and painfully slow as would otherwise be the case.

[MasterJedi]

You already opened the vote on this, I really hope you don't close it now. We're going to have to do the budget again in March after the next session where it would be a lot easier and we wouldn't have to rush now and possibly makes some big mistakes.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Too tired to think about all this right now. Vote is er... suspended. Yes, suspended, pending... a bit more discussion. I think

[The Dowager Mod]

No debate?
No amendments?

[MasterJedi]

Too tired to think about all this right now. Vote is er... suspended. Yes, suspended, pending... a bit more discussion. I think

Can anybody verify that he can do this?


We already had some debate and most people agreed we should wait until March so we don't rush and screw something up.

[The Dowager Mod]

Too tired to think about all this right now. Vote is er... suspended. Yes, suspended, pending... a bit more discussion. I think

Can anybody verify that he can do this?


We already had some debate and most people agreed we should wait until March so we don't rush and screw something up.

Rushing and screwing up is exactly what we are doing.

[MasterJedi]

Too tired to think about all this right now. Vote is er... suspended. Yes, suspended, pending... a bit more discussion. I think

Can anybody verify that he can do this?


We already had some debate and most people agreed we should wait until March so we don't rush and screw something up.

Rushing and screwing up is exactly what we are doing.

How can we screw up by not changing anything?

[Gabu]

This is essentially the exact same budget we had last year with some minor changes due to appropriation bills that have occurred since then.  I don't see how it's being hasty to simply approve our staying the course.

We now have four days before this budget must (must!) be passed and approved by the president.  I really don't think that now is the time to stop and think about what we should change.  At this point, we essentially have two options: pass the budget as it is, or don't pass a budget.  There's no way we'll ever agree on radical changes in four days.

[Colin]

Well I motion that we bring the current budget to a vote.

[Keystone Phil]

This is essentially the exact same budget we had last year with some minor changes due to appropriation bills that have occurred since then.  I don't see how it's being hasty to simply approve our staying the course.

We now have four days before this budget must (must!) be passed and approved by the president.  I really don't think that now is the time to stop and think about what we should change.  At this point, we essentially have two options: pass the budget as it is, or don't pass a budget.  There's no way we'll ever agree on radical changes in four days.

I agree with the Senator. If members decide to go back and revise a few parts then they'll really be pushing it in terms of the deadline. Is it the best budget? Obviously not. But sticking with what we have (Or "staying the course") is not something to be alarmed about. No need to throw Atlasia into financial panic, my friends. We (The Secretary included ) don't need it.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

You all calmed down now? Vote reopend.

[MasterJedi]

Ok now that it's re-opened.

Tally:

2 Aye
0 Nay
0 Abstain

[Gabu]

Aye.

[The Dowager Mod]

Nay.

[DanielX]

Nay

[Ebowed]

Nay

I'd like to see some cuts made, but it's entirely my fault for not proposing any.  Haven't really been around as much as I'd like to, and when I have been I haven't paid much attention to this thread...

[Sam Spade]

3-3.

[Jake]

Aye, with the understanding that the Senate will begin work on this issue promptly next term.

[Gabu]

Aye, with the understanding that the Senate will begin work on this issue promptly next term.

We're Constitutionally mandated to, unless we get a two-thirds vote to waive that requirement, and I don't see that happening this time, as there's no reason to do it.