Parliament: Fourth Term

[Craig Ashley]

Speaker of Parliament, Jacob S. Langley, rises before body of parliament.

In accordance with Eutopian law, I, as newly elected Speaker of Parliament, declare parliament for the fourth term in the Eutopian Republic open for business. Gentlemen, let's get down to business.

 

[System Lord]

MP Hartwell yells out "way to go Jake! Wohoo!".

 

[unmerged(17563)]

MP Miss Cook rolls her eyes. And signs in.

 

[Estonianzulu]

Hello again members of parliament, and welcome new members.

I will bring up certain prepositions brought up last term which were never finished.

1st. Gambling Commission-
Government to form a commission to research the following.
1. Current status of relations between the state and gambling.
2. Possible revenue sources from gambling controlled by the state.
3. Social and economic impacts of Gambling

Bill 4-Anti-defacing Bill

Summary- This bill will be enacted to protect government symbols, pictures and items.

1.Defacing Government property will be considered an offense, and be treated at minimum the harshest possible punishment for the defacing of private property, or worse.
The following will be considered Government property-
A.Government Money
B.Public owned facilities
C.National Monuments
D. The Eutopian Seal
E.The Eutopian Arms
F. The Eutopian Flag
(does not include pictures of the flag)
G.Government buildings.
H.Ambassadorial complexes
I. Any structure used by the Government
I1. This includes hotels or banquet halls used as reception halls by government members for other government members of foriegn ambassadors.
I2. This includes only the time when the building is rented by the Government.

---
3rd-
Commission for the Reception Center.
1. The Government will create a Commission to research the foundation of a Government Reception Center.
A. This Commission will research-
a. Costs
b. Uses
c. Source of funds
2. This Commission will study when the Reception Center can be built, how much it will cost, etc. and present its report to the Parliament, who can then decide to fund or not to fund the project.

 

[jacob-Lundgren]

*former speaker lundgren walks in*

dont mind me, just grabing the last of my stuff.

*heads over to the speaker podeum*

"excuse me please sir" *opens hidden door to recently installed mini-fridge in the podeum, removes some pop* "well good day all."


(couldnt resist a silly stunt if this is too silly then simply remove it )

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Mr. Speaker,

It looks as if we are getting off to a fast start. Congratulations on your election, and my compliments on your selection of Mr. Borgman as your deputy.

I would urge you to consider introducing formal rules of order concerning voting periods, conditions for emergency votes, etc. and urge you to maintain an organized calendar of legislation. However I will defer to you as to whether or when these items are addressed.

As Mr. Vilns has already placed some proposals before us, I would like to address them.

I will second his legislation on a Gambling Commission. I am not yet committed to voting for the legislation, but I will second it so that we can get a full hearing on it. This seems like reasonable legislation and I would compliment Mr. Vilns on it except I am afraid he would attack me in his paper if I did so.

The Gambling Commission legislation seems rational and reasoned, and will have minimal cost to the government. Perhaps the commission will discover potential revenues for our government, or identify ways to address social problems that cost the government millions of dollars in treatment. There are many possible outcomes for such a commission and I am inclined to support it at this time.


As for the other two pieces of legislation, which have not been seconded, I have concerns whether the anti-defacing bill is necessary and ask if current law governing destruction or damaging private and public property is not already enough. I would like to know why additional measures are needed.

I remember I highly public case of defacing in recent history, but the victim dropped the charges, otherwise the ones arrested could have been charged and, if convicted, faced fines and possible jail time.

Also, laws need to be more defined in establishing penalties. Phrases such as "harshest possible punishement or worse" are unclear and could allow judges such radical options as life in prison, for relatively petty vandalism.

I think a better solution may be more resources for law enforcement and actual application of existing law.

As for the Reception Center, while acknowledging that the proposal calls only for a study and not to create it yet, I fear that our budget situation is so grim that this would be too low a priority to consider right now. It could be studied but if it could find any new revenues, these would better be used to defense, education, or somehow jumpstarting our failing industries.

There is nothing inherently bad about the bill, it just seems like if we already know we have more pressing budget priorities, and not enough money, that we should avoid this project until our revenues are stable, and study it then.

Thank you for allowing me to address these issues, and I hope we can all work together toward the major problems facing Eutopia.

Jack Teano
MP, Member of Parliament

 

[Estonianzulu]

Thank you, and do not worry, I wont blast you for supporting a search for new Government revenue. Especialy if this revenue can be, in turn, spent on resources for education. What I do outside the Parliament is seperate from what goes on inside these walls.

Now, the Commission for the Reception center is simply a study, thats all. It can give us something to do when, in the future, we have more money.

Thirdly, the Anti-defaming bill. We dont have money for more police. So, we up the penalties which cost the government (destroying public property) and that lowers the future costs of fixing and replacing damaged and destroyed public property.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Would you be willing to tighten up the language in your anti-defamation bill as it concerns penalties? I still see that as a weakness that needs correcting.

And, not that it is directly tied to your bill, but would you be in favor of proposals to (if the revenue can be found) increase our police force or otherwise improve our law enforcement resources?

As for the reception center, I am not convinced that we need to explore it at this time, if the revenues aren't available to act on a study's recommendations. But my opposition to this isn't as strong as the university bill, because the cost of this study is negligible. This seems more ill-timed than a big financial burden, that's all.

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Good to be in here again! I'm pleased to see things are getting started already, and will make a few comments on the bills proposed by Mr. Vilms:

- Studying the issue of gambling is a very interesting and worthy project, and this commission has my full support.

- The anti-defacing bill is too unclear at the moment, but I'm surely not dismissing it at hand.

- The study for a new reception center is unnecessary, and it sounds a bit silly to study something for the future, when we cant say with any detail when it might finally come around. I mean, if we study it now, and build it in ten years, the situation mightve changed enough to make the initial plans impractical. Even the smallest cost should be eliminated if it is not useful.

Thank you for your attention,

Sebastian Fitzpatrick
Rally for Democracy

*sits down with a slight smile on his face, settles in his comfy chair.*

 

[Estonianzulu]

I see no reason why not to do the research. There is no downside to a simple study, is there?

I will re-word my Defacing bill, and I see no reason why revenue can not go to the Police and law-enforcement agencies. But that is not my job, I dont make up the budget.

 

[Craig Ashley]

I'll be laying out some procedural guidelines a little later. As to the topics at hand:

Gambling Commission: Seems reasonable and there maybe an untapped revenue source here.

Anti defacing bill: Language needs to tightened up, and I am a little uncomfortable with including such things as banning flag burning. I personally find the act deplorable, but deplorable forms of expression should still be protected. Freedom cannot afford to be selective.

Reception Center: There is no way such a project can be funded now. With so many other things facing Eutopia, it would be both wasteful and irresponsible to spend money and time on a project we know can't get off the ground.

 

[unmerged(10397)]

(OOC: Yes I can speak in parliament, it's in the guide)

I do hope this commission will be fair and thorough in it's research into gambling, rather than an ill-handled attempt to oust people such as myself from business simply for owning a business which houses gambling attractions. I would have no objection, and in fact, would support such a commission. However, I fear that without proper monitering, it could, through no fault of the parliament, turn into a simple playground for people who want to shut down gambling.

 

[Estonianzulu]

Which party has the goal of shutting down gambling? The Commission would simply reasearch forms of government sponsored or owned gambling procedures which would be a great benefit to the country.

Mr. Speaker, it is a study, that is all. Who knows, this study may find new government income sources, or ways to lower government spending.

Perhaps a better move might be to make a Commission to study government spending and income, and perhaps locate new revenue or cut spending.

And, I do not think it should be legal for the citizens of Eutopia to take such a violent act towards our flag, now, I will change the law however, to state flags owned by the Government, in which case they are destroying public property.

 

[unmerged(17563)]

OOC) excuse my ignorance but what is the procedure for proposing a new bill for consideration? Thankyou

 

[unmerged(4271)]

OOC: Bill Drafting & Introduction

Originally posted by Lady Europa
OOC) excuse my ignorance but what is the procedure for proposing a new bill for consideration? Thankyou

1)Write up your proposal and post it here. I think the more detailed the better (see the worker's bill of rights or minimum wage bill in the Law Gazette or old parliament threads) but they can be simple, too. The proposal you wrote in the EHA is in proper form.

2) Say a few words about why you are introducing it.

3) Someone has to second it. Until they do people can talk about it, but it can't be voted on. The Speaker can rule discussion on bills that have not been seconded as out of order if it is clear that the bill will not get a second.

4)Once it is seconded there should be more debate. Some people may ask you to amend it or propose amendments themselves. You do not have to accept changes. If you do, the change is automatic. If you do not, people can vote to change it.

5)Once debate is over, as determined by the Speaker, there will be a vote (in another thread). Make sure to vote for your own bill! Some people forget!

 

[I Killed Kenny]

It's good to be back to this undersfull house

The Gambling Commission is a good idea, a new way to make money without cuting on exepences and higher taxer is allways welcome...

I too think the languange Anti-defacing Bill, should be better

And the Commission for the Reception Center is not a good idea, first because I don't think we need a reception center at all

*seats down*

 

[unmerged(5730)]

I would like to have this bill introduced again, as all parliament members seemed to ignore it.

Bill concerning Unemployment Allowance

People become unemployed, it happens every day. What happens with them, should we just leave them on the streets? No, of course we should have a system that helps them get on their feet again. But how should it be? How should we make up a system that isn't used by people that wants to lie on their coach and still get money for it? For this purpose, to prevent some people to use a system made to help those that hasn't got a job but is searching for full, have I worked out this bill, a Bill concerning Unemployment Allowance.

Part 1, Procedure of getting Unemployment Allowance.

Article I, Immediate after the loose of a job.
When a Citizen of Eutopia has lost his job, is it the obligation of the former Employer to ask the former Employee if he should contact the state for Unemployment Allowance. If the former Employee accepts, will the Employer immediately contact the state and announce the will of his Employee.

Article II, After the announcement of will to receive Unemployment Allowance.
When the news that the Employee wants Unemployment Allowance, will the state immediately set the Employee up for Unemployment Allowance. They will also contact the Employee and call him to a meeting with the Local Employment Office.

Article III, At the meeting with the Employment Office.
On the first meeting will the Employee and the Employment Office Staff first try to find an ordinary job, if that's not possible will they further more decide a work that the Employee will have to do to get the Unemployment Allowance. Examples of this is running some sort of sport or spare time activity for children and teenagers, doing garden work, etc. If no work needed can be found, is it the obligation of the Employment Office to "create" one. Work or Helping in Work always exists.

Part 2, Size of the Unemployment Allowance.

Article I, Standard Unemployment Allowance.
The National Employment Office decides the Size of the Standard Unemployment Allowance. It will be kept at a minimum to encourage people to try to get a real work, although one must be able to live on it, meaning that it will have to follow the currency value.

Article II, Extra Unemployment Allowance.
Extra money can be paid out, and that will depend on how many children you have, if you are living with someone and if you are, how much money that person earns. This to give all people the most equals Unemployment Allowance, not depending on the family situation. Savings will not affect the Extra Unemployment Allowance.

Part 3, Alternatives to Unemployment Allowance.

Article I, School.
To take a loan from the state and begin at a University or other school must after an Employee lost his job be offered, so that the person has the opportunity to start at a school.

Article II, Work.
The Employment Office is obligated to help Eutopian Citizens to find a real job if that is their wish.

Part 4, Length of Time one has right to Unemployment Allowance.

Article I, Length.
One has the right to turn down on three decent job offerings that the person in question has qualifications to do before the person looses his Unemployment Allowance.

Article II, Quitting work.
A person that gets Unemployment Allowance can whenever he wants stop working. Although that would result with that the Unemployment Allowance is stopped being paid out. If the person after some time again wants his Unemployment Allowance, he will get it.

Article III, Loosing the Unemployment Allowance.
A person can loose his Unemployment Allowance if he doesn't follow his leaders instructions. If that happens will he be moved to another work, and if it happens again will he loose the Unemployment Allowance.

Part 5, Way of paying out the Unemployment Allowance.

Article I
One can by himself choose if he wishes to be paid every week, every half-month or every month. Although the Golden Rule is that none gets paid for work he hasn't yet done, so the first payment can be made earliest one week after the job loose.

Part 6 Requirements to get Unemployment Allowance.

Article I
To get Unemployment Allowance you need to be an Eutopian Citizen and by proper age (18 years old). You most also be unemployed and not go to any school of any kind. Prisoners have no right to Unemployment Allowance.

 

[unmerged(17563)]

OOC) I will wait with my bill for a wile until things quiet down a round here.

 

[unmerged(3748)]

Mr. Edridge,

Do we have a personal vendetta going on? For the second time in as much terms, the CRE proposes legislation that relates to my ministry's portfolio without even informing me of such, let alone asking for my advice.

I'm glad to see that this proposal has quite a bit more meat than your previous university abomination, but I strongly suggest that you lay this bill before the relevant ministries, which I believe are MTEF and MHES, before pushing it through parliament. I do not like vetoing parliamentary decrees, so I would rather see this bill become a compromise which I can work with.

Thank you for your attention,

Sebastian Fitzpatrick
Rally for Democracy

 

[I Killed Kenny]

*I ask this Bill to be discussed and voted Firstlly and the others brouth here before, I belive this is a essecial bill for the parliament-goverment relations*


Parli-Ministery Bill
Every the piece of legislation brought into the parliament, will have that to pass first and have his aproval of the minister with right portifolio. So that the parliament is not to argue Bills that they are not in accordance with the budget of the ministery, or with the ideias that the minister has about his ministery


*Started the speech*


Why should we loss our time discusson things that will never pass?
A- We shouldn't.
Why should we discuss bill that the minister don't want??
A- We shouldn't.
Who is the best person for that portifolio job???
A- The minister chosed my the pres.
Isn't that the same person that knows better his budget??
A- The same minister.
SO, why should he don't have the power to veto the bill??
A- He should.