NE1: Capital Relocation Amendment [Tabled]

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Basically, this amendment establishes the cornerstone for the capital redevelopment project.  I encourage the Assembly to determine a city for which to expand and build the capital in (not build a completely new city, as the last legislation would have done), and then write it into the amendment.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This is a fair amendment.

I would suggest New Haven, CT.

I second this proposal!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I would only support the construction of an entirely new capital. New Haven, Buffalo, or any other city does deserve to be burdened with the task of capital, especially long-suffering cities like these. Especially with the surely half-baked construction that shall follow and sure-to-fail modern urban renewal strategies, all that shall occur is the destruction of the preexisting urban fabric. Greenfield construction is the only option.

I also supported the construction of a new city for the capital, but that didn't get through the Assembly last time.  We have to compromise.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I would only support the construction of an entirely new capital. New Haven, Buffalo, or any other city does deserve to be burdened with the task of capital, especially long-suffering cities like these. Especially with the surely half-baked construction that shall follow and sure-to-fail modern urban renewal strategies, all that shall occur is the destruction of the preexisting urban fabric. Greenfield construction is the only option.

I also supported the construction of a new city for the capital, but that didn't get through the Assembly last time.  We have to compromise.

This attitude is emblematic of a major problem facing our society, which is a fear of commitment. Rep. Winfield and Mr. Cincinattus fears what might happen if we stop running surpluses. We issue bonds, and so what if we run a bit over budget? We need something done, and we are going to get it done. There is a predilection for half-baked patch ups and repairs as opposed to comprehensive replacements and solutions. This extends beyond mere infranstructuture (but it certainly is what turned ours into the embarrassingly backwards systems they are today), into our business and personal lives.

Shall we go to another city in this region, undoubtedly based upon outdated and autosarcogaphic suburban and "urban renewal" models of planning. Shall we jam that unfortunate locale's highways or cul de sacs? Or shall we invest in a city designed for the project of governance, meant for official business? One that will show others the way forward in urban planning? I say we should, and escape this debilitating epidemic of small-mindedness, as I said before.

Compromises lead to disappointments that please no-one.

Perhaps, then, we can get the consent of the people who live in the city or the mayor before we build our capital within their border.  If the city agrees with the proposal and isn't concerned about any problems arising from urban renewal, then we can build from that location.  But if we are unable to come up with a bipartisan method of establishing the new capital, then we might as well abandon the project completely.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Do I declare this friendly, or does the Assembly vote on it?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Friendly.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I don't have a particularly strong preference for the location of the capital.  If the capital would benefit more people by being located in Buffalo, or anywhere else, then I'm okay with this.

More opinions on this would be appreciated.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

So we're scrapping the entire idea, then?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I will reluctantly table this.  That said, I assure the Assembly that this issue will NOT be going away due to its failure to reach a compromise.  I'm not going to point fingers at anyone in particular, but it does an extreme disservice to our region for Washington-style gridlock to infest itself in our politics, and the voters will keep this fresh in mind when they head to the polls next month.

I urge the Speaker to not introduce the Capital Act of 2012 until an agreement on this amendment can be reached.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

What harm has occured in Washington State? I do want a final proposal reached, perhaps more than you do, but I do not want to waste the Assembly's time in proposing legislation bound to fail. I can assure you I will to my best to keep the capital debate at the forefront of the Assembly's concerns.

I understand that, and I think it's necessary for this discussion to persist outside the walls of this capitol.  I have created a thread to fulfill that purpose.  At some point, either side has to nudge.