Mideast Assembly Thread

[ZuWo]

I thank A-Bob for his confidence in me! If a majority of Assemblymembers wants me to become Speaker, I'll accept that most gratefully.

However, In order to give the Assembly a choice and to express my approval of the current speaker, I nominate Speaker Inks.

[A-Bob]

I am fine with either, so no loss to me

[Jayhawker]

I second the nominations of both Inks and ZuWo - both would do a great job!

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

I accept the nomination.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Considering nominations have been open for over a day, I'll close nominations and begin the vote.  Members will vote for ZuWo or Inks.LWC.  This will be a 24-hour procedural vote that takes place in this thread.

[ZuWo]

Inks

(I still accept votes, though )

[Jayhawker]

I like both of y'all so much so don't take this personally...

Inks

[TJ in Wisco]

ZuWo

as part of a plot to make Inks vote on it

[A-Bob]

ZuWo

:O The vote is up to Inks

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Well, I had planned on abstaining, but I guess that's not a good option anymore.

Inks.LWC

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Voting is now closed.  Inks.LWC has received 3 votes, and ZuWo has received 2 votes.  Inks.LWC is elected Speaker of the Assembly.

Legislation may now be introduced.

[ZuWo]

I accept my defeat!

Now let's go back to work.

Keep our Region Clean from Litter and Safe from Vandalism Act

1. It is a punishable offence

a) to dispose of litter in an inappropriate manner in public places (a practice commonly referred to as “littering”)

b) to commit acts of vandalism in public places

2. a) Any person who violates at least one of the two clauses of the first section of this Act shall be fined at least 50$. Severe violations of this Act may be punished with a prison sentence.

b) Any person who violates at least one of the two clauses of the first section of this Act and is subsequently fined up to 500$ may opt to work in a litter clean-up program for at least 20 hours instead of paying the fine.

[ZuWo]

New Mideast Marijuana Taxation Act

1. The Mideast Marijuana Taxation Act is hereby repealed.

2. There shall be a 20% tax increase on all marijuana substances in the Mideast.

3. a) 50% of the money collected by this tax shall fund the Mideast Victim Compensation Act.

b) 45% of the money collected by this tax shall be used for the establishment of the Mideast Cannabis Prevention Center, which shall be supervised by the Mideast Department of Health. The main task of the Mideast Cannabis Prevention Center is to inform the public on the harmful effects of marijuana and organize regular marijuana prevention activities in public schools.

c) 5% of the money collected by this tax shall fund the creation of community murals as specified in Section 3 in the Keep our Region Clean and Free from Vandalism Act.

[TJ in Wisco]

 

Constitutional Amendment – definition of election

Clause 3 of the first Section of Article IV of the Mideast Constitution shall be amended to read:

3. Voters shall be allowed to edit their ballots within 20 minutes of posting their original ballot or until the official end time of voting, whichever comes first. This restriction applies to all elections, votes, referendums, initiatives, propositions, recalls, and constitutional amendments administered by the Mideast region.

After watching the drama unfold in the Northeast over whether or not a constitutional amendment vote is an “election”, I think we ought to make it clear that in the Mideast, it is an election.

[Jayhawker]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

[A-Bob]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

As long as this won't increase injuries and thus the taxpayers having to pay for people's medical bills, particularly those who don't buy insurance and those on the government plan.

[TJ in Wisco]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

I would generally be against such a measure because seat belt laws both reduce injury and act as a source for revenue for local governments and aren't too terribly invasive. I could see allowing those 18 and older to ride in the backseat with out them, but that's the limit of how far you could reduce the seat belt laws while still getting my vote.

[ZuWo]

I believe a requirement to wear seatbelts is an absolute necessity. The mere fact that they might be punished if they don't wear seatbelts makes most car drivers use them. If we compare the number of traffic casualties during times when no or only a few people wore a seatbelt with the number of today, I think we can conclude that the seatbelt requirement has had a very positive impact.

[ZuWo]

Smaller Assembly Amendment

Clause 2 in Section 1 of Article 3 of the Mideast Constitution shall be amended to read:

2. The Assembly shall be composed of three members, each of whom shall be registered voters residing in the Mideast Region.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

Opposed

[afleitch]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

Opposed

I would veto it if it passed.

[TJ in Wisco]

I unfortunately will probably not be in the assembly long enough to vote on this, but here is the welfare bill discussed some time ago.

Mideast Welfare Drug Screening
Section 1: All adults with prior drug convictions applying for governmental income assistance in the Mideast Region must pass a drug screening free of illegal substances to receive benefits.

Section 2: The cost of the testing is paid for by the individual filing for benefits, but will be reimbursed upon producing a clean test.

Section 3: If the use of an illegal substance is detected on a test, that person is barred from receiving benefits for six months. In the event of a second failed drug test, the person in question is barred from receiving benefits for three years.

Section 4: If an adult filing on behalf of children fails a drug screening, that adult may not receive the children’s benefits, but the benefits may instead be transferred to the children through another adult.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

The last session of the Assembly is over, and the new session is officially now in session.  Members please swear in in the appropriate thread.

I will now open nominations for the position of Speaker of the Assembly.

[big bad fab]

I hereby nominate Inks.LWC as Speaker of the Mideast Assembly.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

Any other nominations?