Legislation Introduction Thread

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                                                                   2011 Education Act

1.  With respect to countless studies that show small class sizes with increased one-on-one time between the teacher and students, $10 billion shall be appropriated for the express purpose of reducing class sizes in Atlasian school districts.  The following class size targets are to be achieved in graduated form.  School districts may not use above appropriated funds to reduce class sizes in the next grade cohort until class sizes in the previous cohort have achieved the target.
     A.  Class size targets for K-2 shall be 18:1.
     B.  Class size targets for 3-5 shall be 21:1.  (This shall include grades 3-6 in Jr. High configurations)
     C.  Class size targets for 6-8 shall be 24:1.  (This shall include grades 7-9 in Jr. High configurations)
     D.  Class size targets for 9-12 shall be 26:1 (This shall include grades 10-12 in Sr. High Configurations).

2.  $20 million shall be appropriated to applicant districts to provide curriculum and training to teachers for separation of boys and girls in the four basic learning subjects (mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science).  This pilot program will help the Federal Government determine whether such programs would be beneficial to adopt as standard.

3.   




I would like to leave room for other senators to add items.  I'd also like room to add items myself.  Class size reduction was my main point for now.  I'd also like to provide funds for further updating of aging school infrastructure in rural, inner city, and older suburban school districts.

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The only way to reduce class sizes is to hire more teachers and therefore you're gonna need a helluva lot more than $10 billion.

There are currently just over 50,000,000 students in our K-12 public schools.  There are currently 2,946,309 elementary and secondary school teachers.  That results in an average ratio of 17:1.  But such a ratio is highly inaccurate since maybe only 75% of teachers are actually teaching students at any given time (because of teacher prep time, etc.).

Furthermore, the four basic subjects often have larger class sizes than other classes in art, physical education, or technology classes.

Beyond that, you have to take into account that hiring new teachers is extremely cheap for a job that requires at least a 4 year degree.  The average starting teacher wage is ~ $42,000 averaged across all grade levels.  At that salary level, $10 billion can hire 240,000 teachers.  Such an increase in teachers would reduce class sizes by up to 3 students per teacher at the elementary level.

Your'e right that more money is needed to reduce class sizes to the ratios in my proposed bill.  But that's why the setup is graduated.  Right now we will appropriate a moderate amount of money and focus it on the lower grades.  Some districts will be able to reach the targets for all grades while others may only be able to do so in the lowest grades... but this will ensure the best bang for the buck overall.  We can discuss appropriating more money next year.

Edit:  The overall losers here are going to be fast growing, large suburban districts that generally have overcrowded schools (can't fit more teachers/classrooms in) and already have very high class sizes.  Winners will be more established school districts in older suburbs and in rural areas where the money will help stave off major budget cuts due to declining enrollment in such areas which tend to drive up class sizes because of the momentum of the decline.

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Drought Mitigation Act of 2011

1)$100 million shall be set aside annually to a maximum of $500 million in a fund to provide low interest loans to farmers and ranchers who have been acutely affected by drought.  In order to qualify, said farmer or rancher must meet the following criteria:
    A.  The governor of the region the farm or ranch is located in must declare a state of emergency due to drought.
    B.  The farmer or rancher must demonstrate that the drought could reduce his/her income by at least 20% based on average yields for such land.
    C.  The farmer or rancher must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan within 5 years with a 2% APR added.  Forbearances can be made by subsequent years of drought or other financial hardship.  Small operations constituting fewer than 500 acres of land and owned by an individual or a small cooperation of immediate family members may be subject to 100% loan forgiveness if they can prove that annual loan payments will exceed 10% of income derived from the farm/ranch land.
2)  $100 million shall be made available annually in the form of grants to regional natural resource departments and to farmers and ranchers or other large land owners with oversight from the respective natural resource departments for long term drought mitigation projects.  Any unspent monies shall be carried over to the next year and the account replenished to $100 million.  These projects can be, but are not limited to, drought resistant tree, shrub, and grass planting to slow winds and protect soil, the conversion and adoption of dry land farming techniques including shallow plowing, and measures to protect farm and ranch steads from wildfire.  All money shall be distributed through the respective department of natural resources in the given region.
3)  $15 million shall be set aside annually for education materials regarding drought and wildfire risks for the general public, with not less than 2/3 of the monies allocated to regions with enhanced drought risk (Midwest, Southeast, Pacific).
4)  $20 million shall be made available annually to the respective departments of natural resources within the various regions for controlled burning activities.  Acknowledging that fire is an important part of dry land ecology and the danger posed by decades of fire suppression, the various DNRs shall adopt plans regarding controlled burns to best reduce the loss to personal property from wild fires.



*I'm introducing this bill because parts of the Midwest, Southeast, and Pacific regions are experiencing intense drought even while others face record floods.  Scientists have concluded that long term changes in solar activity, various natural cycles of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and human induced climate change are increasing drought risks for the southern tier of Atlasia.  These regions play an important role in our farm and ranch economy.  With preparedness and emergency funds, these farmers and ranchers will be able to adapt to increased droughts rather than have to pack up and move.

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Unless section 2 of that bill is omitted or changed, I will vehemently oppose this new education bill.  Replacing a pilot program for separate sex classrooms with graphing calculators and video projectors?  No.

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Traffic Enforcement Act of 2011

1.  The federal government of Atlasia is hereby prohibited from using cameras or unmanned radars to enforce traffic laws within federal territories, on federal highways and roads, or on other federally owned property.

2.  Any region that does not cease enforcement of traffic laws through such measures (including, but not limited to 'red light cameras' and 'speed cameras') by October the 31st, 2011, shall forfeit any and all federal transportation fund appropriations until enforcement has stopped.

3.  The above conditions do not apply to manned traffic law enforcement devices such as in-squad car speed radars, as long as the police vehicle is clearly visible to oncoming traffic from at least 1/4 mile or greater.

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Homeless Shelter and Emergency Housing Act of 2011

In recognizing that there are many reasons for homelessness in Atlasia, and recognizing that some only need assistance in the short term while others need long term support:

1)  The Senate shall set aside $1 billion for the expansion, construction, and updating of short term emergency housing and shelters for families that unexpectedly become homeless.  Such shelters will generally house families for less than 90 days and these shelters will assist families in finding affordable housing, be it public or private.

2)  The Senate shall set aside $1 billion for the expansion, construction, and updating of homeless shelters for individuals or families that need such shelters periodically for short durations.  These shelters shall have sufficient air conditioning and heating to maintain a comfortable environment for the vulnerable and homeless in heat waves and extreme cold.  Recognizing that many chronically homeless are unlikely to find permanent housing, often by choice, the purpose of these shelters is to provide temporary shelter when they need it.

3)  The Senate shall set aside $50 million annually to assist police and fire departments in communication with local homeless prior to extreme weather events in order to encourage them to use the shelters.

4)  The Senate shall set aside $200 million annually for counseling services for families that suddenly become homeless.  These counselors shall act as a liaison for these families and assist with ensuring any children are enrolled and attending school as well as assisting the families with finding permanent housing.  They shall also help families with the psychological effects of suddenly becoming homeless.

5)  The Senate shall set aside $250 million annually to maintain and fund services for emergency housing and shelters outlined above.  This money shall be used in the purchase of food, supplies, and transportation at the shelters as well as for periodic maintenance of the facilities to keep them in good working order.

6)  Regional Housing Authorities will have priority access to the funds outlined above and may appropriate the funds as they wish, so long as they meet the guidelines above.

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Submitted on behalf of constituent Tmth:

Campaigning for Invalidation of Votes Act Amendment



Section 1 of the Campaigning for Invalidation of Votes Act shall be amended to read:

1. It shall be a crime against the Republic of Atlasia for any citizen to instruct or encourage a voter who has already cast his or her ballot to take an action that would have the effect of invalidating the ballot.

2. For the purposes of this statute, federal election shall extend to (but is not limited to) any election for President, Vice-President or Senator, any federal impeachment vote, and any public vote sanctioned by Law which requires that an officer of the federal government administer it.

3. The instruction or encouragement of a voter shall be interpreted to include any action which indicates the possibility of invalidating a vote to affect a federal election.

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HIGH PRIORITY


Natural Disaster Relief Act of 2011

Section 1:  Appropriations
1.  $5 billion shall be put into an account to provide aid relief for the Southeast, Mideast, and Northeast regions affected by Hurricane Irene.  
2.  $2 billion shall be set aside to fund infrastructure improvements in the coastal Northeast, Mideast, and Southeast states in order to be more damage resistent in future storms.

Section 2:  Process for distribution
1.  Governors of the three regions along the east coast affected by Hurricane Irene shall prepare a report and request the funds needed for repairs as outlined in section 1 from the SoIA.  
2.  No less than 60% of the funds from Section 1, Clause 1 shall be appropriated to the Northeast.  Beyond that requirement, the SoIA has the discretion to appropriate the funds from Section 1, Clauses 1 and 2 as he sees fit.
3.  Any monies not appropriated to the regions by January 31st, 2012, shall be returned to the general fund.