NE1: Free Enterprise Zones Act [Failed]

[Cincinnatus]

The Assembly will now consider the legislation introduced by the Representative from MA.  Debate will last 72 hours.

Free Enterprise Zones Act

1. Upon the request of a municipal administration, or the petition of 10% of a municipality's registered voters, a referendum may be held on the next municipal or regional election day to declare said municipality a "Free Enterprise Zone."

2. a. Upon a majority of voters voting "yes" on the referendum, the municipality shall be designated a "Free Enterprize Zone."

b. The Northeast Region must respect the results of all such referenda.

3. "Free Enterprize Zones" shall be assessed no regional taxes, be exempt from all regional regulations, and receive no funds from the Region.

4. a. The Governor shall nominate and the Assembly shall approve an independent Auditor General to oversee all Free Enterprise Zones.

b. The Auditor General shall be empowered to assess fines to entities within Free Enterprize Zones which cause permanent environmental damage to the surrounding area, equal to the value of the damage caused.

c. The Auditor General shall be empowered to revoke the Free Enterprise Zone status of a municipality if it is found that the public or private services provided within the Zone are significantly and pervasively deficient or discriminatory, compared to the status of public services prior to the establishment of the Free Enterprise Zone.

d. All decisions of the Auditor General may be appealed through the courts and shall be treated as civil cases.

e. Municipalities having their Free Enterprise Zone status revoked by the Auditor General may restore their status via a referendum as outlined in sections 1 and 2, but a two-thirds majority in the affirmative is required.  After a period of 5 years, a municipality may restore its Free Enterprise Zone status via the normal procedure.

[Cincinnatus]

Debate time has expired.  The Assembly will now vote on the final text.  This vote will last 24 hours, or until all Representatives have voted.

Free Enterprise Zones Act

1. Upon the request of a municipal administration, or the petition of 10% of a municipality's registered voters, a referendum may be held on the next municipal or regional election day to declare said municipality a "Free Enterprise Zone."

2. a. Upon a majority of voters voting "yes" on the referendum, the municipality shall be designated a "Free Enterprize Zone."

b. The Northeast Region must respect the results of all such referenda.

3. "Free Enterprize Zones" shall be assessed no regional taxes, be exempt from all regional regulations, and receive no funds from the Region.

4. a. The Governor shall nominate and the Assembly shall approve an independent Auditor General to oversee all Free Enterprise Zones.

b. The Auditor General shall be empowered to assess fines to entities within Free Enterprize Zones which cause permanent environmental damage to the surrounding area, equal to the value of the damage caused.

c. The Auditor General shall be empowered to revoke the Free Enterprise Zone status of a municipality if it is found that the public or private services provided within the Zone are significantly and pervasively deficient or discriminatory, compared to the status of public services prior to the establishment of the Free Enterprise Zone.

d. All decisions of the Auditor General may be appealed through the courts and shall be treated as civil cases.

e. Municipalities having their Free Enterprise Zone status revoked by the Auditor General may restore their status via a referendum as outlined in sections 1 and 2, but a two-thirds majority in the affirmative is required.  After a period of 5 years, a municipality may restore its Free Enterprise Zone status via the normal procedure.

[Cincinnatus]

Voting has expired.  The Ayes are 2, Nays are 2.  The vote is tied and requires action by the Governor.

[Cincinnatus]

The bill has been vetoed, and debate will resume immediately in response.  Does the sponsor have any statements or amendments to offer that may sway the members of this Assembly?

[Cincinnatus]

Is the amendment friendly wormyguy?

[Cincinnatus]

Nix, wormyguy has decided to only accept part of your proposed amendment.  If you wish, you can agree to this and we won't vote on the amendment at the end.  Otherwise we will vote on the amendment in its entirety.

[Cincinnatus]

Debate time has expired.  The Assembly will now vote on the final text.  This vote will last 24 hours, or until all members have voted.

Free Enterprise Zones Act

1. Upon the request of a municipal administration, or the petition of 10% of a municipality's registered voters, a referendum may be held on the next municipal or regional election day to declare said municipality a "Free Enterprise Zone."

2. a. Upon a majority of voters voting "yes" on the referendum, the municipality shall be designated a "Free Enterprize Zone."

b. The Northeast Region must respect the results of all such referenda.

3. "Free Enterprize Zones" shall be assessed no regional taxes, be exempt from all regional regulations, and receive no funds from the Region.

4. a. The Governor shall nominate and the Assembly shall approve an independent Auditor General to oversee each Free Enterprise Zones.

b. The Auditor General shall be empowered to assess fines to entities within Free Enterprize Zones which cause permanent environmental damage to the surrounding area, equal to the value of the damage caused.

c. The Auditor General shall be empowered to revoke the Free Enterprise Zone status of a municipality if it is found that the public or private services provided within the Zone are significantly and pervasively deficient or discriminatory, compared to the status of public services prior to the establishment of the Free Enterprise Zone.

d. All decisions of the Auditor General may be appealed through the courts and shall be treated as civil cases.

e. Municipalities having their Free Enterprise Zone status revoked by the Auditor General may restore their status via a referendum as outlined in sections 1 and 2, but a two-thirds majority in the affirmative is required.  After a period of 5 years, a municipality may restore its Free Enterprise Zone status via the normal procedure.

5. a. Upon the request of a municipal administration, or the petition of 10% of a municipality's registered voters, a referendum may be held within four weeks on removing the municipality's "Free Enterprise Zone" designation. Upon a majority of voters voting "yes" in this referendum, the municipalities "Free Enterprise Zone" status shall be revoked.

b. Upon the request of a municipal administration, or the petition of 10% of a municipality's registered voters, a referendum may be held on recalling the Auditor General. Upon a majority of voters voting "yes" in this referendum, the Auditor General shall be removed from his or her position.

[Cincinnatus]

Aye

[Cincinnatus]

Voting time has expired.  The vote does not reach a 2/3 majority.  The bill fails.