LC 3.1 Resolution to Establish the Budget of the Lincoln Government (Passed)

[Pyro]

The issue I have with accepting the amendment in its current form is that, by having the revised fossil fuel taxes, there may be a double tax put on the people of Lincoln.

It would be nonsensical to put down the official results straight from the people, nor would a cross comparison be necessary since it occurs at the same time as the overall budget. In that case, removing the portion in its entirety, while presenting the “official” budget + referendum would be more apt for this situation.

Let me say, all of this confusion is making me regret creating the spinoff out of the budget in the first place. I merely should have sticked to my initiative in the official budget.

Not every tax we have in the budget is a 'new' tax.
Including the corrected information will only state what the current tax is.
To follow precedent, we should specify the law in the budget's text (ie; Gax Tax (LC 3.2)).

[PSOL]

I thank the assistance of this fine council in providing the foundation for this amendment.

IN THE LINCOLN COUNCIL

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the budget for the Lincoln Government lasting from September October 2019 until August September 2020

Resolved by the Lincoln Council convened,

Expenditures

Health - $269.89bn + $1.49bn (L603) = $269.89bn

Pensions - $104.40bn + $0bn (LC 11.11) = $104.40bn

Education - $105.19bn + $ 35.63bn (L505, L601, L 12.9, L 13.06) = $140.82bn

Defence - $0.10bn + $0.03bn (L 11.22) = $0.13bn

Transport - $54.18bn + $0.48bn (L 15.6) =$54.66bn

Welfare - $40.93bn + $0.22bn (L 11.4.2, L 14.9) = $41.15bn

General Govt - $20.27bn + -$0.11bn (L513, L 15.9) = $20.16bn

Debt Interest - $23.30bn

Protection - $23.83bn + $4.86bn (L 6.4.3, L 7.3.1, L 10.16.5) = $28.69bn

Other - $31.44bn + $0.98bn (LC 1.13) = $32.42bn

One time additional spending - $39.54bn (L 6.5.1, L 7.1.1, L 7.4.2, L 7.5.1, L 9.10.5, L 10.16.5, L 10.26.5, L 11.17, L 15.3)

===============================

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $ 755.80 billion

===============================

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
10%    $25,000 - $49,9999 ($13.19 B)
16%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($58.66 B)
23%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($131.46 B)
28%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($80.20 B)
33%   $1,000,000 + ($46.28 B)

Rates remain the same for married couples filing jointly, but brackets are doubled.

Alcohol Tax
12% ($6.84 B)

Tobacco Tax
12% ($3.42 B)

Cannabis Tax
12% ($2.49 B) + $1.25bn (L10.25.4) = $3.74 B

Other drugs tax (L10.25.4) = $0.58bn

Excise Taxes
Gas: $0.50 per gallon ($22.24 B)
Diesel: $0.70 per gallon ($10.37 B)

Gas (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-5¢/g ($0.21 B)
Second lowest 20%- 15¢/g ($0.93 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 30¢/g ($2.69 B)
60-80%- 40¢/g ($4.55 B)
Upper 20%- 60¢/g ($8.27 B)
Total: $16.55 B

Diesel (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-20¢/g ($0.28 B)
Second lowest 20%- 30¢/g ($0.62 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 50¢/g ($1.49 B)
60-80%- 60¢/g ($2.27 B)
Upper 20%- 75¢/g ($3.45 B)
Total: $8.11 B

New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $120 per thousand kilograms ($1.02 B)

Luxury Tax
30% ($6.48 B)

Wealth Tax
3%
Total Wealth Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($39.31 B)

Property tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
1%   $25,000 - $49,9999 ($15.53 B)
2%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($54.57 B)
3%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($78.63 B)
4%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($24.21 B)
5%   $1,000,000 + ($7.60 B)

Estate Tax
15%  $10,000,000 - $19,999,999 ($0.61 B)
15%  $20,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.66 B)
20%  $50,000,000 + ($6.79 B)
Total Estate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($2.82 B)

Corporate Tax
0.0%  $0 - $99,999 ($0 B)
5%   $100,000 - $499,999 ($0.27 B)
5%   $500,000 - $999,999 ($0.16 B)
10%  $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 ($1.00 B)
10%  $5,000,000 - $9,999,999 ($0.68 B)
15%  $10,000,000 - $24,999,999 ($1.94 B)
15%  $25,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.82 B)
15%  $50,000,000 - $99,999,999 ($2.22 B)
15%  $100,000,000 - $249,999,999 ($3.83 B)
15%  $250,000,000 - $499,999,999 ($4.45 B)
15%  $500,000,000 - $2,499,999,999 ($21.09 B)
15%  $2,500,000,000 + ($141.91 B)
Total Corporate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($55.86 B)

Carbon Tax (LC 2.20)
20$ per metric ton of CO2: $35.03 B

===============================

TOTAL REVENUES - $690.09 B
===============================

PROJECTED DEFICIT - - $ 65.71 B

[/quote]

[Pyro]

Amendment L 3:21 by PSOL to LC 3.1 Resolution to Establish the Budget of the Lincoln Government

IN THE LINCOLN COUNCIL

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the budget for the Lincoln Government lasting from September October 2019 until August September 2020

Resolved by the Lincoln Council convened,

Expenditures

Health - $269.89bn + $1.49bn (L603) = $269.89bn

Pensions - $104.40bn + $0bn (LC 11.11) = $104.40bn

Education - $105.19bn + $ 35.63bn (L505, L601, L 12.9, L 13.06) = $140.82bn

Defence - $0.10bn + $0.03bn (L 11.22) = $0.13bn

Transport - $54.18bn + $0.48bn (L 15.6) =$54.66bn

Welfare - $40.93bn + $0.22bn (L 11.4.2, L 14.9) = $41.15bn

General Govt - $20.27bn + -$0.11bn (L513, L 15.9) = $20.16bn

Debt Interest - $23.30bn

Protection - $23.83bn + $4.86bn (L 6.4.3, L 7.3.1, L 10.16.5) = $28.69bn

Other - $31.44bn + $0.98bn (LC 1.13) = $32.42bn

One time additional spending - $39.54bn (L 6.5.1, L 7.1.1, L 7.4.2, L 7.5.1, L 9.10.5, L 10.16.5, L 10.26.5, L 11.17, L 15.3)

===============================

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $ 755.80 billion

===============================

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
10%    $25,000 - $49,9999 ($13.19 B)
16%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($58.66 B)
23%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($131.46 B)
28%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($80.20 B)
33%   $1,000,000 + ($46.28 B)

Rates remain the same for married couples filing jointly, but brackets are doubled.

Alcohol Tax
12% ($6.84 B)

Tobacco Tax
12% ($3.42 B)

Cannabis Tax
12% ($2.49 B) + $1.25bn (L10.25.4) = $3.74 B

Other drugs tax (L10.25.4) = $0.58bn

Excise Taxes
Gas: $0.50 per gallon ($22.24 B)
Diesel: $0.70 per gallon ($10.37 B)

Gas (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-5¢/g ($0.21 B)
Second lowest 20%- 15¢/g ($0.93 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 30¢/g ($2.69 B)
60-80%- 40¢/g ($4.55 B)
Upper 20%- 60¢/g ($8.27 B)
Total: $16.55 B

Diesel (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-20¢/g ($0.28 B)
Second lowest 20%- 30¢/g ($0.62 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 50¢/g ($1.49 B)
60-80%- 60¢/g ($2.27 B)
Upper 20%- 75¢/g ($3.45 B)
Total: $8.11 B

New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $120 per thousand kilograms ($1.02 B)

Luxury Tax
30% ($6.48 B)

Wealth Tax
3%
Total Wealth Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($39.31 B)

Property tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
1%   $25,000 - $49,9999 ($15.53 B)
2%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($54.57 B)
3%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($78.63 B)
4%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($24.21 B)
5%   $1,000,000 + ($7.60 B)

Estate Tax
15%  $10,000,000 - $19,999,999 ($0.61 B)
15%  $20,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.66 B)
20%  $50,000,000 + ($6.79 B)
Total Estate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($2.82 B)

Corporate Tax
0.0%  $0 - $99,999 ($0 B)
5%   $100,000 - $499,999 ($0.27 B)
5%   $500,000 - $999,999 ($0.16 B)
10%  $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 ($1.00 B)
10%  $5,000,000 - $9,999,999 ($0.68 B)
15%  $10,000,000 - $24,999,999 ($1.94 B)
15%  $25,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.82 B)
15%  $50,000,000 - $99,999,999 ($2.22 B)
15%  $100,000,000 - $249,999,999 ($3.83 B)
15%  $250,000,000 - $499,999,999 ($4.45 B)
15%  $500,000,000 - $2,499,999,999 ($21.09 B)
15%  $2,500,000,000 + ($141.91 B)
Total Corporate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($55.86 B)

Carbon Tax (LC 2.20)
20$ per metric ton of CO2: $35.03 B

===============================

TOTAL REVENUES - $690.09 B
===============================

PROJECTED DEFICIT - - $ 65.71 B

Sponsor: Friendly
Status: Over 24 Hours Have Passed since the Amendment Proposal without Objection.
It is now added to the bill.

[Pyro]

Snap Election To Take Place September 6th.
The Third Council will be Dissolved on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Final Business Period has Commenced as of Friday, August 30th.

[Former President tack50]

Another session of the Council without a budget 

[Pyro]

Fellow Councilors, with the the legislature set to dissolve in several days, I would like to put forth a proposal regarding the budget. We have worked extensively to close the deficit gap, and in my determination we have done remarkably well to cut the figure down from nearly $250B to $65B. Keeping in mind that the current budget accounts for about $40B in one-time spending and about $23B in debt interest, we have certainly laid the groundwork for a far easier negotiation this time next year.

Now, I believe it is pivotal that we pass the budget before the Council dissolves. The truth of the matter is that unless we pass the budget as-is, the region of Lincoln will continue to have a de jure 'government shutdown' until some time in September at the absolute soonest.

Therefore, I shall motion for a final vote.
I would implore all Councilors vote in favor of passage.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

Encke still hasn't priced the latest amendment, so it would be pretty silly to proceed to a final vote now.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

Fellow Councilors, with the the legislature set to dissolve in several days, I would like to put forth a proposal regarding the budget. We have worked extensively to close the deficit gap, and in my determination we have done remarkably well to cut the figure down from nearly $250B to $65B. Keeping in mind that the current budget accounts for about $40B in one-time spending and about $23B in debt interest, we have certainly laid the groundwork for a far easier negotiation this time next year.

Now, I believe it is pivotal that we pass the budget before the Council dissolves. The truth of the matter is that unless we pass the budget as-is, the region of Lincoln will continue to have a de jure 'government shutdown' until some time in September at the absolute soonest.

Therefore, I shall motion for a final vote.
I would implore all Councilors vote in favor of passage.

LINCOLN CONSTITUTION, Declaration Of Rights:
16. No budget or appropriation bill shall be passed by the legislative power of this Region for which the totaled expenditures exceed the sum of all revenue collected in the previous year, except if there is an override vote. An override vote requires a majority of 3/4 of the legislative power unless there has been at least a 4 year gap from the most recent override in which case a 2/3 vote is sufficient.

[Pyro]

Encke still hasn't priced the latest amendment, so it would be pretty silly to proceed to a final vote now.

If you're referring to the gas/diesel tax, he did already work the #s.
Here's the post.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

Encke still hasn't priced the latest amendment, so it would be pretty silly to proceed to a final vote now.

If you're referring to the gas/diesel tax, he did already work the #s.
Here's the post.

and what about the 2/3rd majority needed for a unbalanced budget?

[Pyro]

Encke still hasn't priced the latest amendment, so it would be pretty silly to proceed to a final vote now.

If you're referring to the gas/diesel tax, he did already work the #s.
Here's the post.

and what about the 2/3rd majority needed for a unbalanced budget?

I'm aware that that will be necessary for passage, yes.

[Pyro]

Councilors, a Final Vote is now OPEN on the Following Legislation

IN THE LINCOLN COUNCIL

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the budget for the Lincoln Government lasting from October 2019 until September 2020

Resolved by the Lincoln Council convened,

Expenditures

Health - $269.89bn + $1.49bn (L603) = $269.89bn

Pensions - $104.40bn + $0bn (LC 11.11) = $104.40bn

Education - $105.19bn + $ 35.63bn (L505, L601, L 12.9, L 13.06) = $140.82bn

Defence - $0.10bn + $0.03bn (L 11.22) = $0.13bn

Transport - $54.18bn + $0.48bn (L 15.6) =$54.66bn

Welfare - $40.93bn + $0.22bn (L 11.4.2, L 14.9) = $41.15bn

General Govt - $20.27bn + -$0.11bn (L513, L 15.9) = $20.16bn

Debt Interest - $23.30bn

Protection - $23.83bn + $4.86bn (L 6.4.3, L 7.3.1, L 10.16.5) = $28.69bn

Other - $31.44bn + $0.98bn (LC 1.13) = $32.42bn

One time additional spending - $39.54bn (L 6.5.1, L 7.1.1, L 7.4.2, L 7.5.1, L 9.10.5, L 10.16.5, L 10.26.5, L 11.17, L 15.3)

===============================

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $ 755.80 billion

===============================

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
10%    $25,000 - $49,9999 ($13.19 B)
16%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($58.66 B)
23%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($131.46 B)
28%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($80.20 B)
33%   $1,000,000 + ($46.28 B)

Rates remain the same for married couples filing jointly, but brackets are doubled.

Alcohol Tax
12% ($6.84 B)

Tobacco Tax
12% ($3.42 B)

Cannabis Tax
12% ($2.49 B) + $1.25bn (L10.25.4) = $3.74 B

Other drugs tax (L10.25.4) = $0.58bn

Gas (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-5¢/g ($0.21 B)
Second lowest 20%- 15¢/g ($0.93 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 30¢/g ($2.69 B)
60-80%- 40¢/g ($4.55 B)
Upper 20%- 60¢/g ($8.27 B)
Total: $16.55 B

Diesel (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-20¢/g ($0.28 B)
Second lowest 20%- 30¢/g ($0.62 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 50¢/g ($1.49 B)
60-80%- 60¢/g ($2.27 B)
Upper 20%- 75¢/g ($3.45 B)
Total: $8.11 B

New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $120 per thousand kilograms ($1.02 B)

Luxury Tax
30% ($6.48 B)

Wealth Tax
3%
Total Wealth Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($39.31 B)

Property tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
1%   $25,000 - $49,9999 ($15.53 B)
2%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($54.57 B)
3%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($78.63 B)
4%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($24.21 B)
5%   $1,000,000 + ($7.60 B)

Estate Tax
15%  $10,000,000 - $19,999,999 ($0.61 B)
15%  $20,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.66 B)
20%  $50,000,000 + ($6.79 B)
Total Estate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($2.82 B)

Corporate Tax
0.0%  $0 - $99,999 ($0 B)
5%   $100,000 - $499,999 ($0.27 B)
5%   $500,000 - $999,999 ($0.16 B)
10%  $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 ($1.00 B)
10%  $5,000,000 - $9,999,999 ($0.68 B)
15%  $10,000,000 - $24,999,999 ($1.94 B)
15%  $25,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.82 B)
15%  $50,000,000 - $99,999,999 ($2.22 B)
15%  $100,000,000 - $249,999,999 ($3.83 B)
15%  $250,000,000 - $499,999,999 ($4.45 B)
15%  $500,000,000 - $2,499,999,999 ($21.09 B)
15%  $2,500,000,000 + ($141.91 B)
Total Corporate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($55.86 B)

Carbon Tax (LC 2.20)
20$ per metric ton of CO2: $35.03 B

===============================

TOTAL REVENUES - $690.09 B
===============================

PROJECTED DEFICIT - - $ 65.71 B

Please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain.
The vote shall last for 48 hours or until all Councilors have voted.

[Pyro]

AYE

[PSOL]

AYE

[OneJ]

AYE

[Pyro]

The Final Vote on LC 3.1 Resolution to Establish the Budget of the Lincoln Government is now closed.

Aye: 4 (Pyro, Thr33, PSOL, 1J)
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Not Voting: 2 (DKrol, NyIndy)

The Ayes have it! The legislation has PASSED.

[Peanut]

I am so proud to be signing this! We're now officially out of our shutdown Lincoln .

A huge thank you to all the Councillors that have worked hard on this for so long! Now, let's get it done.

Source.

IN THE LINCOLN COUNCIL

A RESOLUTION

Establishing the budget for the Lincoln Government lasting from October 2019 until September 2020

Resolved by the Lincoln Council convened,

Expenditures

Health - $269.89bn + $1.49bn (L603) = $269.89bn

Pensions - $104.40bn + $0bn (LC 11.11) = $104.40bn

Education - $105.19bn + $ 35.63bn (L505, L601, L 12.9, L 13.06) = $140.82bn

Defence - $0.10bn + $0.03bn (L 11.22) = $0.13bn

Transport - $54.18bn + $0.48bn (L 15.6) =$54.66bn

Welfare - $40.93bn + $0.22bn (L 11.4.2, L 14.9) = $41.15bn

General Govt - $20.27bn + -$0.11bn (L513, L 15.9) = $20.16bn

Debt Interest - $23.30bn

Protection - $23.83bn + $4.86bn (L 6.4.3, L 7.3.1, L 10.16.5) = $28.69bn

Other - $31.44bn + $0.98bn (LC 1.13) = $32.42bn

One time additional spending - $39.54bn (L 6.5.1, L 7.1.1, L 7.4.2, L 7.5.1, L 9.10.5, L 10.16.5, L 10.26.5, L 11.17, L 15.3)

===============================

TOTAL EXPENDITURES - $ 755.80 billion

===============================

PROPOSED TAXES

Income tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
10%    $25,000 - $49,9999 ($13.19 B)
16%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($58.66 B)
23%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($131.46 B)
28%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($80.20 B)
33%   $1,000,000 + ($46.28 B)

Rates remain the same for married couples filing jointly, but brackets are doubled.

Alcohol Tax
12% ($6.84 B)

Tobacco Tax
12% ($3.42 B)

Cannabis Tax
12% ($2.49 B) + $1.25bn (L10.25.4) = $3.74 B

Other drugs tax (L10.25.4) = $0.58bn

Gas (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-5¢/g ($0.21 B)
Second lowest 20%- 15¢/g ($0.93 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 30¢/g ($2.69 B)
60-80%- 40¢/g ($4.55 B)
Upper 20%- 60¢/g ($8.27 B)
Total: $16.55 B

Diesel (L.C. 3.2):
Lowest 20% earners-20¢/g ($0.28 B)
Second lowest 20%- 30¢/g ($0.62 B)
Mid 40%-60%- 50¢/g ($1.49 B)
60-80%- 60¢/g ($2.27 B)
Upper 20%- 75¢/g ($3.45 B)
Total: $8.11 B

New automobile purchase tax (by curb weight): $120 per thousand kilograms ($1.02 B)

Luxury Tax
30% ($6.48 B)

Wealth Tax
3%
Total Wealth Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($39.31 B)

Property tax
0.0%    $0 - $24,999 ($0 B)
1%   $25,000 - $49,9999 ($15.53 B)
2%    $50,000 - $99,999 ($54.57 B)
3%   $100,000 - $249,999 ($78.63 B)
4%   $250,000 - $999,999 ($24.21 B)
5%   $1,000,000 + ($7.60 B)

Estate Tax
15%  $10,000,000 - $19,999,999 ($0.61 B)
15%  $20,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.66 B)
20%  $50,000,000 + ($6.79 B)
Total Estate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($2.82 B)

Corporate Tax
0.0%  $0 - $99,999 ($0 B)
5%   $100,000 - $499,999 ($0.27 B)
5%   $500,000 - $999,999 ($0.16 B)
10%  $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 ($1.00 B)
10%  $5,000,000 - $9,999,999 ($0.68 B)
15%  $10,000,000 - $24,999,999 ($1.94 B)
15%  $25,000,000 - $49,999,999 ($1.82 B)
15%  $50,000,000 - $99,999,999 ($2.22 B)
15%  $100,000,000 - $249,999,999 ($3.83 B)
15%  $250,000,000 - $499,999,999 ($4.45 B)
15%  $500,000,000 - $2,499,999,999 ($21.09 B)
15%  $2,500,000,000 + ($141.91 B)
Total Corporate Tax with Lincoln Population Multiplier = ($55.86 B)

Carbon Tax (LC 2.20)
20$ per metric ton of CO2: $35.03 B

===============================

TOTAL REVENUES - $690.09 B
===============================

PROJECTED DEFICIT - - $ 65.71 B

[Former President tack50]

As much as I'd love for this to be real, doesn't it need 2/3? Or is it 2/3 of the people voting?

[AustralianSwingVoter]

As much as I'd love for this to be real, doesn't it need 2/3? Or is it 2/3 of the people voting?

the question is do vacant seats count towards the 2/3rd supermajority of delegates.

[Peanut]

As much as I'd love for this to be real, doesn't it need 2/3? Or is it 2/3 of the people voting?

the question is do vacant seats count towards the 2/3rd supermajority of delegates.

And the interpretation here is they don't. 2/3 of Councillors present and voting are what matters, not 2/3 of Councillors elected. The wording refers to Councillors, not seats, and there being no Councillor to relate them to, vacant seats don't count.

[AustralianSwingVoter]

As much as I'd love for this to be real, doesn't it need 2/3? Or is it 2/3 of the people voting?

the question is do vacant seats count towards the 2/3rd supermajority of delegates.

And the interpretation here is they don't. 2/3 of Councillors present and voting are what matters, not 2/3 of Councillors elected. The wording refers to Councillors, not seats, and there being no Councillor to relate them to, vacant seats don't count.

16. No budget or appropriation bill shall be passed by the legislative power of this Region for which the totaled expenditures exceed the sum of all revenue collected in the previous year, except if there is an override vote. An override vote requires a majority of 3/4 of the legislative power unless there has been at least a 4 year gap from the most recent override in which case a 2/3 vote is sufficient.

The key point is that it's up to interpretation. The constitution doesn't specifically define the procedural meaning of "legislative power", so it's up to interpretation. And as you've interpreted it, someone else might interpret it differently and consider filing a lawsuit.