Northeast Assembly Thread

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Sewer, are you trying to derail this bill?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Very good bill and really well-drafted, as always. It has my full support.

And BTW, I oppose Sewer's Amendment. If you want something passed on this topic, reintroduce a bill which will be more acceptable to moderates and it may not fail as it did last time.

[Sewer]

Sewer, are you trying to derail this bill?

no

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Sewer, are you trying to derail this bill?

no

i just ask because that amendment is the same act that just got voted down, and in the unlikely event it was successfully added, the bill wouldn't pass.

[Dr. Cynic]

The bill is a good one, however, I do not support a complete ban on animal testing. I do support regulations on it, however.

The rest of the bill is fine.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I will not vote for the amendment, as it's completly unrelated to the bill.

[Barnes]

Just to keep you guys updated, SewerSocialist has moved to Minnesota, and thus has vacated his Assembly seat. 

[cinyc]

Just to keep you guys updated, SewerSocialist has moved to Minnesota, and thus has vacated his Assembly seat. 

I'm sorry to hear that and thank Rep. Sewer Socialist for his work this session.  I have informed the governor.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I support the proposed bill, but not with Sewer Socialist's amendment.

[cinyc]

I support the proposed bill, but not with Sewer Socialist's amendment.

Since Sewer Socialist is no longer a member of this Assembly, his amendment will not be put to a vote.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Just to keep you guys updated, SewerSocialist has moved to Minnesota, and thus has vacated his Assembly seat. 

Oh damn...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Just to keep you guys updated, SewerSocialist has moved to Minnesota, and thus has vacated his Assembly seat. 

Oh damn...

Pity.

[cinyc]

With no unfriendly amendments on the floor, the following bill now be voted upon for final passage:

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This vote shall be held open until the earlier of 3:05PM Eastern on Monday, January 25, 2010 or when all Representatives shall have voted.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Aye

[Dr. Cynic]

Aye

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Aye

[cinyc]

Aye

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I don't feel I have enough information to cast a thoughtful vote, so I respectfully abstain.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Aye

Everyone has voted now.

[cinyc]

By a vote of 6-0 with one express abstention, the Northeast Natural Gas Leasing Act passes and will be presented to the Governor for his signature or veto.

Next bill - well, it can be one of two, depending on what we do with the fact that Rep. Doctor Cynic left the Assembly for a time.  Since we'll get to the only other two bills currently in the queue not sponsored by Rep. Antonio V or a departed Assemblyman next, it doesn't matter.  Note: this should not serve as a precedent for determining bill order in cases where it really matters.  Anyway, here's the bill:

Northeast Anti-Obese Discriminatory Act

1. The Northeast officially takes the position of non-discrimination for all classes, creeds, and sexes.

2. The Northeast also recognizes the discrimination of those who struggle with issues of obesity.

3. All businesses are required to fair and equal treatment of any obese or otherwise disabled individual.

4. Airlines that charge obese passengers for two seats on any flight within the northeast are required to provide the two seats to that passenger.

5. Obese individuals shall henceforth recieve equal treatment and service within any Northeastern business establishment.

Sponsor: Rep. Doctor Cynic

The question is whether the bill should be considered?

The ayes have it.

Debate on this bill will continue until at least 2:30PM Eastern on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, unless the debate period is extended or shortened in accordance with the SOAP.

The Sponsor, Representative Doctor Cynic, has the floor.

[cinyc]

FYI - when pasting the bill into the thread, my browser's automatic spell check showed that "receive" is spelled incorrectly in paragraph 5.   I'd ask Rep. Doctor Cynic for a friendly amendment to fix that.

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

Sure, it is the point. But I personally don't think it is important.
However i would vote Aye since it is the right thing to do for the people.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Specifically, what is meant in fair and equal treatment? Does this merely express that a person cannot be hired or fired on the basis of their weight? Or will it require special accommodations be made for people of unusual girth?

I'm not quite sure I'm comfortable associating obesity with disability, though I do agree with some basic precepts of the bill. (Section 4, for example.)

I'd rather not start a heated battle about "lifestyle choices" here, but as someone who's experienced life as a size 44 waist and as a size 30 waist, I lean towards disapproving the bill.

[Dr. Cynic]

Northeast Anti-Obese Discriminatory Act

1. The Northeast officially takes the position of non-discrimination for all classes, creeds, and sexes.

2. The Northeast also recognizes the discrimination of those who struggle with issues of obesity.

3. All businesses are required to fair and equal treatment of any obese or otherwise disabled individual.

4. Airlines that charge obese passengers for two seats on any flight within the northeast are required to provide the two seats to that passenger.

5. Obese individuals shall henceforth recieve receive equal treatment and service within any Northeastern business establishment.

Sponsor: Rep. Doctor Cynic