Pacific Legislature Official Thread

[Oakvale]

Now, is anyone gonna explain how to log in to the Wiki?

You need to PM Dave to get wiki priveleges, if you haven't done so already.

[Oakvale]

Unless I'm much mistaken, that's a week, so voting on this amendment - the 8th Amendment to the Pacific Constitution, to be precise, is concluded.

The amendment requires a two-thirds majority to pass, it has:

6 ayes,
1 abstention,

The proposed amendment has passed, becomes part of the regional Constitution.


X Oakvale

[Oakvale]

Rest assured that although I have randomly registered in the wilds of Alaska, it's really a moot point since I'm presumably living where my offices are, our capital of San Francisco, as opposed to my "home" state.

Anybody know how to edit the Pacific Citizens List table?  Unlike the other regions, ours has been added in through some other page.  Also, does anyone know how to edit the little widget on the bottom with all the links to the various Pacific Articles?

I wish I could help, but I'm frankly useless at all matters wiki.

I'd suggest looking at the FAQs for Wikipedia, maybe? I don't know.

[Oakvale]

Oh, look, another random Constitutional amendment. Yes, I'm aware we tried this before, back in the mists, of time, but there's a few key differences this time around which should make the position worthwhile - if nothing else, hopefully some entertaining constitutional crises will occur.

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X Oakvale

BTW, this my current version of the bill, but I'm not married to it - I'm more than willing to tweak it to make it more acceptable if this version fails to pass.

And, naturally, I stick with my promise to introduce a ton of blatantly illegal bills if this position is created, in an effort to create some activity in this place.

EDIT: Oh yeah, uh, voting's open now and will continue for a week.

[Oakvale]

Stunningly, I'll vote Aye.

[Oakvale]

The hotbed of activity that this vote has been () has convinced me it's probably good idea to assemble some kind of list of active Pacific voters I/we can PM whenever something actually happens.

It also strengthens the case for an elected legislature, I think.

Oh, and voting is still open if anyone wants to vote for the hell of it. I mean, it would be nice if it passed with 100% of the vote, but when there's only one vote that's not so impressive.

I understand though, that this thread isn't the most active around, so it makes sense that people generally overlook it. We need a regional board.

[Oakvale]

I don't think there's really any need for change here. There isn't a lot for the regional officials to do already and creating a third position seems like a move in the wrong direction to me. I'm going to vote nay for now.

Rest assured I'll introduce a blatantly unconstitutional bill every day if the post is created.

But seriously, we can always get rid of the position in a few months if it ends up a disastrous failure, so it shouldn't be a problem either way.

[Oakvale]

Aye.

My justification is: Why not?

That's my justification for literally everything I ever do as Governor.

[Oakvale]

Unless I'm much mistaken, voting's closed.

With a disappointingly, if not entirely unexpectedly, low turnout, the amendment passes.

3 AYE
2 NAY

The position of Pacific Justice is hereby created. It will probably be vacant for a while as I draw up some potential candidates.

[Oakvale]

Well, after a long search and closely examining several candidates, I am pleased to nominated fuzzybigfoot, or, if you prefer, Mr. Fuzzleton, for the new position of Pacific Justice.

My intial line of thinking was to nominate an old hand, someone with massive experience in Atlasia and in Pacific affairs, but then I realised something. New blood  is exactly what this region needs - fuzzy's relative, er, "newbie"-ness is his biggest strength. I think breathing new life into this region requires new voters, and new officials, and I can't imagine a better candidate for the job.

Anyway, down to brass tacks. There's a week-long confirmation period, which follows the same procedure as when we vote on a bill. I'm sure the nominee would be happy to answer questions, so if there's anything on your mind don't hesitate to ask.

So, voting to confirm fuzzybigfoot as Pacific Justice is now open, and will remain so for one week. Feel free to ask questions of the nominee.

Obviously, I vote aye to confirm.

[Oakvale]

First of all, fuzzybigfoot is unanimously confirmed as Pacific Justice.

Secondly, please all vote on the ratification of the Constitutional Convention in the voting booth.

[Oakvale]

I've got a random bill for you guys to vote on and bicker about. This is kinda mashed together, so let me know if you notice any major problems.

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[Oakvale]

How about replacing section 3 with an $0.25 increase in the gasoline tax?

And while I appreciate the humorous writing that permeates the proposal, the insinuation that other subjects are less intellectually challenging or worthwhile is not a sentiment I wish to place into Pacific statute.

A) Aye, that's probably a better idea. Less regressive, and has an arguable environmental bonus, too.

B) Fair enough, it's a little silly as written, I'll be the first to admit. Here's a more appropriate version-

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Hopefully that's a little better.

[Oakvale]

Why only maths and science ? I think economy, philosophy or literature are equally (if not more) important.

Because for this purpose I'm assuming that Atlasia mirrors the RL United States, where mathematics and science graduates are in short supply.

In response to thmthforu, the advantage of a gas tax is that it spreads the burden over all income groups - the problem with taxes on "vice" goods is that they mainly impact lower-income taxpayers.

Honestly, the reason it was a cigarette levy in the first place was because cigarettes are  one of the "go to" sources for government income.

[Oakvale]

I like the modified bill.

Glad to hear it.

I'll leave this open for debate for a few more hours, then if there's no objection I'll open voting.

[Oakvale]

I'll open voting on the education thingy after the elections are finished.

Also,

Announcement or something:

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EDIT:

A second announcement or something:

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[Oakvale]

Though 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

Since when you are a Pacific citizen ?

Since yesterday, apparently. I'm happy to welcome Jbrase to the region, anyway.

And, what the hell, I sign the Aaron Burr Day Creation Act - I think I get the reference - and open it for voting.

X Oakvale

Oh, I'm also opening voting on the Educational Incentives Act. Both bills will be voted upon for one week.

[Oakvale]

Educational Incentives Act: Aye

Aaron Burr Day Creation Act: Aye

[Oakvale]

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.

In the light of this event, I'd like to challenge the constitutionality of the "Accuracy in balloting Act". Hopefully we can get rid of that useles trash :

It is an act designed to rename Xahar whenever he runs for office in the Pacific on our ballots. It renames him "Chode" on ballots for regional positions.

It's funny you bring that up, I was feeling vaguely mean for voting for it and was considering trying for a repeal just yesterday.

[Oakvale]

I must say I'm pretty chuffed to see the position of Pacific Justice working as intended. Stellar job, fuzzy.

Also, I'd like to clarify something about what Jbrase said - in our system, as Archangel pointed out, the Justice automatically reviews all new legislation passed. In real life, this would be an unworkable and impractical concept, but it creates a healthy  amount of activity in Atlasia.

However, your post does apply to legislation passed before the position was established. In other words, old legislation is reviewed only when specifically challenged by a citizen, as in the case of the, uh, chode bill.

[Oakvale]

Should I delete unconstitutional items from the statute and the article altogether or should I just state that it was deemed unconstitutional in the Wiki?

Maybe just say that it was deemed unconstitutional, but put in the archives for future reference if need be.  

That'd be my personal opinon on it, certainly. I dunno, put an asterix * after it or something to explain it was struck down.

[Oakvale]

I've PMed Gustaf and asked him to move this thread to the new board.

Also,

The Education Incentives Act passed with a vote of 8-0, with one abstaining vote.

X Oakvale

The Aaron Burr Day Creation Act fails to pass with a vote of 5-4, although it was apparently unconstitutional anyway so there you go.

I gotta say I'm enjoing the current debate about Jbrase's bill. I'm still undecided as to whether to support it or not.

[Oakvale]

Just a question, why doesn't the Pacific move their legislature thread to the Elections main board so that new members are more aware of its existence?

Wow, this thread is in the same board as all the other legislatures? I proposed that over 30 pages ago.

Progress!

Obviously I take full credit for this.

[Oakvale]

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.

Absolutely!

X Oakvale. Let's put it to a vote.


AYE

[Oakvale]

Hey everybody,

After thinking about it for a bit, I'm going to have to side with those who say the Justice's proposal is unconstitutional.

However, were it to be rewritten as a mere resolution mourning the loss of the fictional character "Sen. Feingold" in, uh, David Cronenberg's America or something, I don't think there'd be any objection to such.

As is, I'll have to change my vote to NAY. Sorry.

In other news, after some reflection, I'm pleased to announce my support for Jbrase's proposal -

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

X Oakvale

I'll leave it open for debate for another day or so, then open voting.