FT 4-08: The Alaska Land Purchase Act

[Kamala]

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[Kamala]

The reason I introduced this legislation is that I do not trust the Federal government to adequately handle public lands in Alaska. Fremont should be able to regulate the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and decide how it is used, instead of the Federal government.

We also have a decent budgetary surplus, so we should put it to good use as an investment in the future that could help our economy, specifically the energy industry.

 

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Assuming this bill were to pass, and the federal government were to agree to sell, how does the sponsor envision these lands would be used (or not used)? In particular, what would change with respect to how these public lands are currently managed under federal authority?

[Kamala]

Assuming this bill were to pass, and the federal government were to agree to sell, how does the sponsor envision these lands would be used (or not used)? In particular, what would change with respect to how these public lands are currently managed under federal authority?

We could permit additional companies to begin drilling on the land, or even create a regional government corporation which will do so. We could transform the land into a Commonwealth Park, being protected for perpetuity.

I simply see the land's ownership by the Commonwealth in place of the federal government as being beneficial in and of itself.

We don't have to decide now on what to do with the land, and instead allow future Commons to decide what will be done.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm afraid I cannot support this bill without a provision explicitly stating how these lands will be used; "we'll decide later" just isn't good enough. I'm worried that were this purchase to take place, short-sighted economic concerns could override long-term environmental sustainability — and while it's certainly possible for such to happen at the federal level too, the feds have historically done a better job on conservation than the states.

[Kamala]

A possible amendment. Thoughts?

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[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I would happily support such an amendment.

[Kamala]

This is going to sound very Truman-y, but I want to hear from the other members of the House about this.

[Mike Thick]

This is a solid plan. I would love to see these lands turned into a park.

[Cactus Jack]

I echo my colleagues' sentiments. Fremont would only stand to benefit from the creation of a new park.

[Kamala]

Seeing an absence of debate, I motion for a final vote. If anyone has reservations, object in the next 24 hours.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

No objections here.

[Kamala]

Seeing no objections, we will begin voting.

AYE.

[Cactus Jack]

AYE.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE.

[Pericles]

Is the money to buy it coming from the surplus or will any other parts of the budget be cut?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Is the money to buy it coming from the surplus or will any other parts of the budget be cut?

It will come from the surplus.

[Pericles]

Is the money to buy it coming from the surplus or will any other parts of the budget be cut?

It will come from the surplus.

How much surplus is left as a result? And if revenue comes from the purchase, where will it be spent?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

How much surplus is left as a result?

Approximately $324 billion.

And if revenue comes from the purchase, where will it be spent?

I don't know that purchase would produce revenue, but that is probably a question for the sponsor.

[Canis]

I agree that this is something Fremont should be in charge of not the federal government so I vote
AYE

 

[Kamala]

And if revenue comes from the purchase, where will it be spent?

I don't see how revenue will be generated from this bill, but if any does, it should go into the maintenance of parks owned by the Commonwealth government.


Regardless, this bill passes by a vote 4-0-2 not voting. It moves to the Prime Minister's desk for further action.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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