Northeast Assembly Thread

[tpfkaw]

I'm flattered, but you can't close the poll...

[tpfkaw]

Thank you, Lt. Governor!

With that, I'll introduce the first bill of the new legislative session (an amendment to the Northeast Constitution):

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Sponsor: Rep. wormyguy

The question is whether the amendment should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate shall continue until February 28, 2011, 12:24 PM EST, unless debate is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The sponsor, wormyguy, has the floor.

[tpfkaw]

Recently, much has been made of possible "inactivity" on the part of the Governor or Regional Senator.  I believe that amending the constitution by allowing a recall election should the Governor or Senator become inactive, would resolve this issue and ensure that the Northeast remain an active region.

[tpfkaw]

When it's debate you always have the floor.  (In fact, you can even speak before the sponsor of the bill if you so feel like it).

[tpfkaw]

There's already a recall amendment...

To the previous constitution.

[tpfkaw]

Hmm, seems you're right.  Anyways, I find that too vague (after an elected official is stripped of their position, what then?), so I'll amend my amendment () to replace that one.

[tpfkaw]

Amendment accepted as friendly, though I'll also take out the phrase "non-consecutive."

[tpfkaw]

Edit: Debate has closed, we will now enter voting procedure on this amendment.  Approval of an amendment requires a two-thirds vote of a majority of assemblymen.  (5 assemblymen, minimum is 2 in favor, 1 opposed).

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[tpfkaw]

Aye.

[tpfkaw]

Voting is now over.

The amendment passes with 4 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 not voting.

I will now ask the governor to start a voting booth for this amendment.  The amendment requires 2/3rds approval from at least 1/3rd of registered voters in the Northeast (39 registered voters, so at least 13 would need to vote).

[tpfkaw]

We shall now move on to the next piece of legislation...

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Sponsor: Rep. Jake Matthews

The question is whether the bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate shall continue until March 3, 2011, 12:32 PM EST, unless debate is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The sponsor, Jake Matthews, has the floor.

[tpfkaw]

I'll suggest we amend it so that the tax will be 5.5%, instead of 8%, given the current tax law; I wouldn't want Grover Norquist getting all pissy.

[tpfkaw]

I think 5.5 is more reasonable. So, do we vote on the amendment itself and add it to the bill if it passes or will we just vote on the amended bill?

If the sponsor of the bill accepts an amendment as friendly, then it doesn't need to be voted on.

[tpfkaw]

I see you included marijuana, which is legal for medicinal purposes in many states and likely will be in Connecticut soon.

A non-sequitur, marijuana is legal for all purposes everywhere in Atlasia.

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With or without good faith, you can't vote without swearing in...



I agree with Napoleon about that section, btw.

[tpfkaw]

Representatives will now have 24 hours to vote on this legislation, as well as a simultaneous vote on Rep. Sbane's amendment to add the language "The first $15,000 earned of one's income are exempt from this tax." to clause 1 and strike clauses 4 thru 7.  Please indicate which vote is for the bill, and which is for the amendment.

The Flat Tax Act

1. A flat tax of 5.5% of one's individual household income is hereby established.

2. This tax shall be paid every year on tax day.

3. April 15th is hereby established as the Northeast region's yearly tax day.

4. Taxes on purchases, land and other taxes of the sort are hereby lifted.

5. Taxes on alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes and other health hazards are exempt from what is outlined in section four.

6. The Northeast Government shall not create new taxes on anything other than income or health hazards.

7. The Northeast Government shall not create tax brackets that could allow for one income class to pay more taxes. Everyone shall pay the same percentage of tax on income per year.

8. The Northeast Government may only collect this tax once per year.

[tpfkaw]

Bill: Aye

Amendment: Abstain

While I agree with including an exemption up to a certain income level, and eliminating the "health hazards" language, I cannot agree to strike the language abolishing the regional sales tax, and therefore I cannot vote aye on this amendment.

[tpfkaw]

Okay, since you've proposed your amendment in the middle of voting, we'll have to finish voting on the bill, then vote on your amendment if the bill passes.  If the bill does not pass, we will then vote on the amended bill.

[tpfkaw]

Bill:

3 ayes, 2 nays, 1 not voting

This bill passes and will go to the governor's desk following voting on Rep. Jake Matthews's amendment.

Unfriendly amendment (of those voting on the bill):

2 ayes, 1 nay, 2 abstaining

This amendment fails, having not received majority support from those voting on the bill.

[tpfkaw]

We will now vote on Rep. Jake Matthews's amendment to strike clause 5 and the words "or health hazards" from clause 6.

[tpfkaw]

Aye.

[tpfkaw]

Could someone please explain how an abstention affects the outcome of a vote? I wasn't aware that this was standard for any real legislature.

Aye on the new amendment.

After reviewing the SOAP, it appears that the amendment did in fact pass, since abstentions are counted as non-votes.  I will point out that that is nonstandard parliamentary procedure, under normal parliamentary procedure an amendment requires approval from a majority (such that abstentions and nay votes are equivalent).  The same goes for bills in general, although I already knew that abstentions weren't counted for that under the SOAP.  With the proviso that I would have voted "nay" had I known this to be the case, I'll now rule JM's amendment dilatory, and that this bill has been passed with the amendment.  It's fairly useless now, since it now makes no substantive change to NE tax law.  Anyhoo, onto the next order of business.

[tpfkaw]

I didn't even notice this one...

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Sponsor: Rep. Jake Matthews

The question is whether the bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate shall continue until March 6, 2011, 5:55 PM EST, unless debate is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The sponsor, Jake Matthews, has the floor.

[tpfkaw]

Using the powers vested in me as Assembly Dictator, I'm going to rule this one noncontroversial and to have passed by acclamation unless someone objects in the next 24 hours.  Onto the next piece of substantive legislation...

[tpfkaw]

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Sponsor: Rep. The Economist

The question is whether the amendment should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate shall continue until March 6, 2011, 5:59 PM, unless debate is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The sponsor, The Economist, has the floor.

[tpfkaw]

Mr. Speaker, should we begin voting on my amendment or will we not be doing so?

We need to wait for The Economist to say whether he will accept it as friendly or not.