[SEMI-PUBLIC] General Assembly, Term X

[Erc]

I second the EPPRA.


The IFAA seems to be a rather self-explanatory bill, and I'm ready to give my support for it (especially considering the small price-tag).

If there is no further discussion to be had on the IFAA, I will put it up to vote within 48 hours.


Patrik Connel is hereby allowed to provisionally take the seat of the departed Hawkton Tilly. Mr. Connel, without official confirmation (whether it be in your Party HQ or in a communications or press office) that you are indeed the Deputy Chairman of the UMP, I cannot technically install you as a MoGA. However, considering the current unavailability of President Langley (or Mr. Tilly), I understand that such a confirmation may not be available at this time. I don't want to be as technical as the CRO Office, so as long as I don't hear any objections from any other UMP members in the next 72 hours, you're in.

 

[Sterkarm]

I believe we should put the EPPRA to vote. As there has been little discussion on it I feel that it is ready to be voted on.

 

[Sterkarm]

On the other hand, I don't think the EPPA is ready to be put to vote, I for one will vote against it because while I support the main idea behind it I believe it needs to give a balance to the Legislative Branch in return.

 

[Erc]

The debate seemed to die out around Boxing Day, and Mr. Gonzov didn't seem like he had any changes to add to the amendment.

If a good number of people feel that they have a lot more to say on this Amendment, then I would be willing to withdraw the vote for the time being.

In the meantime, Mr. Reczynski, if you wish to cast a vote on the Amendment, could you please do so in the voting thread itself? I cannot officially count your vote unless it is in that thread.


Other orders of business:

Mr. Connel is officially seated as a MGA, and Brigadier Levarge is taking over Mr. Strasse's seat upon his resignation.

 

[Voshkod]

General Levarge rose before the Assembly. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is my first act before this august body. Before I introduce it, I would like to say how honored and humbled I am to serve the people of Eutopia in this capacity.

"I would like to introduce the modified Eutopian Guaranteed Government Constitutional Amendment, to wit:

Eutopian Guaranteed Government Constitutional Amendment

Section 1. If the Office of the Presidency is vacant due to --

a. death, resignation, or removal from office;
b. inability, as determined under Article 26 of the Constitution; or
c. failure to qualify,

then the Vice-President shall serve as Acting President until such time as the extraordinary election specified in Article 30 of the Constitution shall occur. If a regular election shall occur within four months, the Vice-President shall hold the position of Acting President until the end of the regular Term.

Section 2. If the Office of the Vice-Presidency is vacant during the execution of Section 1 of this Amendment, then the incumbent of the highest position on the following list shall serve as Acting President until such time as the extraordinary election specified in article 30 of the Constitution shall occur, or for the remainder of the Term if the regular election shall occur within four months of the vacancy. Acting incumbents shall not be considered.

a. The Speaker of the General Assembly
b. Minister of Trade and International Affairs
c. Minister of Defense, Intelligence and Security
d. Minister of the Economy, Resources and Labour
e. Minister of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs
f. Minister of Environmental and Social Affairs
g. The Attorney-General
h. The Speaker of the Senate
i. The Chief Justice of the High Court

Section 3. If all positions in Sections 1 and 2 of this Act are exhausted, Section 2 shall repeat, in order, with the Deputies of each position.

Section 4. If all positions in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Act are exhausted, the member of the General Assembly or member of the Senate with the most cumulative time in that office shall serve as Acting President. In the event that there are two or more individuals with equal time in office who would be eligible to serve as Acting President under this Section, all surviving members of the General Assembly and Senate shall, as a single body, hold an emergency vote deciding between such individuals.

Section 5. If all positions in Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Act are exhausted, the Provincal Chancellor with the most cumulative time in that office shall serve as Acting President. In the event that there are two or more individuals with equal time in office who would be eligible to serve as Acting President under this Section, all surviving Provincal Chancellors shall, as a single body, hold an emergency vote deciding between such individuals.

Section 6. An individual serving as Acting President under this Act shall cease to serve after a qualified and prior-entitled individual is able to serve, or after a regular or extraordinary election as mandated by Article 30 of the Constitution.

"There have been to significant changes made to satisfy issued raised by the Senate. The term "Acting President" is used throughout, and the members of the Senate and the Provincal Chancellors have been placed in the line of sucession, while the military has been removed.

"Do I have a second?"

 

[Voshkod]

"Two other things I would like to raise; the Minister has raised me to Lt. General, not Brigadier, and I hope that can be reflected in the membership roster. Secondly, could this body request the President to address it regarding the state of Eutopia, and his opinion on the EPPA?"

 

[Sterkarm]

I second the EGGCA.

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge, wearing a civilian suit (as he always did in the Assembly) stood.

"Regarding the Interprovincial Freeway Acquisition Act, I would like to know what led us to this pass. Why do we suddenly need to acquire the freeways? I presume that, at some time in the past, private ownership of the Freeways seemed like a good idea. The Constitution states that this body must vote after 'sufficient discussion.' How can our discussions be considered sufficient if we don't understand why this bill is proposed? I recommend we request the MIDA appear before this body to explain the current state of Eutopia's freeways.

"Along these same lines, I would like to propose the following Constitutional amendment:

An Amendment to Provide the Assembly the Power to Subpoena Witnesses​

(1) The following Article is added to the Constititution of Eutopia:

Article 20: The General Assembly and the Senate shall have the power, through compulsory process, to demand testimony or evidence from appropriate parties, as necessary for the discussion of proposed legislation. The leader of each body shall appoint an officer from among the members of that body to issue and enforce such process.

(2) All following articles will be appropriately renumbered.

"The Americans have found, via their court system, that their Constitution inherently provides this power to their Congress. We too should have such authority. If we cannot ask questions of the policy-makers, how can we truly fulfill our obligation to sufficiently discuss proposed legislation? Discussion without all the facts is futile.

"Thank you."

 

[Voshkod]

"According to John Black, Vasco IKK, METI under President Murmandus, originally came up with the idea for privately owned toll roads that we are now considering bailing out at extensive cost to the taxpayer. May I ask you, President Murmandus, what you recall about how this decision was made?"

 

[Erc]

Although Gen. Levarge's comments did come after the 48-hour period I specified on December 30, in the interest of good government and cooperation with the Senate, I hereby reintroduce the IFAA.

Interprovincial Freeway Acquisition Act (IFAA)

Section I. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs, acting on behalf of the government and the people of the United Provinces of Eutopia, is hereby authorized to acquire the Interprovincial Freeway System lying within the boundaries of our nation from the current owners, and to administer that system starting from the date of acquisition.

Section II. Four hundred million ducats (Ð 400,000,000) are hereby appropriated for the acquisition of the Interprovincial Freeway System lying within the boundaries of our nation.

As Mr. St Deare was the member who introduced the original bill, I shall defer to his judgment on any changes that may be made to this bill.

 

[Erc]

As I recall, Gen. Levarge, the plan for private highways seemed at first a good idea (especially since it could be conducted without public expense). However, the roads have proved unprofitable, the firms have found it difficult to recoup the costs of construction, etc. The firms that operate the roads find it necessary to charge high tolls to maximize profits, resulting in higher costs for the consumer.

Here's the pertinent section from the oft-quoted Term VI MTEF report on infrastructure:

Roads: Eutopia's freeway system is rather chaotic. Much of it's development was left to private contractors who bid out for its development under a questionable scheme. Though it is new, there are questions surrounding its maintenance. Further, because of the tolls guaranteed to private developers, many would be users still prefer to use the longer
routes, which are free, but congested.

Currently a crisis is brewing because the return on the tolls are below what developers expected and as a result they are putting less money into maintenance. And, the only regular users of the freeway system are commercial teamsters who simply pass the tolls on to their customers. This has contributed to the island's inflation rate as the cost of all goods transported on Eutopia's freeways is jacked up to meet the tolls, which in turn have been raised because they are not raising enough money to meet the construction costs incurred by developers.

Significant portions of the nation are without any service from the freeways. Jacobia, WET, Nueva Rioja, Saint-Espirit, and Nouvelle Aquitaine are all unconnected, as well as the northern portion of New Lancaster. Some claim that, just as the lack of rail line connections attribute to a lack of overall development, these regions also are finding themselves falling behind. However, Jacobia still is highly developed, despite some companies that have begun to look into relocating due the lack of easy transportation, and New Lancaster's secondary road system is more than adequate, following the boom in the area as an international center of commerce.

Eutopia's other main roadways are in adequate shape at the moment. However, as rail maintenance continues to demand a larger portion of the Transportation budget, some roads are beginning to fall in disrepair, particularly bridges. These roads were intended to be used less frequently traveled and tend to be in the aforementioned under developed districts, but they have grown in congestion due to citizen dissatisfaction with the tolls on the freeways. Another issue is a lack of funds for improvements in urban and suburban areas. As urban sprawl incorporates more and more territory, formerly rural routes need widening, increased traffic control, or other upgrades. There is virtually no funding in this area.

Once the rail issues are addressed, and funding levels return to normal, Eutopia's roads should be adequately maintained. However, a slight bump in the budget would address the need for urban and suburban improvements. More pressing is the need to somehow correct the fiasco that is Eutopia's Freeway system. The failure of the freeways only serve to reinforce the existing difficulties certain regions have had in developing, and will lead to much more severe economic problems for the government if left unaddressed.

Full Report

 

[Brownbeard]

'Mr. Speaker, respected members of the General Assembly, I have presented the IFAA bill on behalf of MIDA as the legal part of the freeway reform. As Mr. Speaker generously stated the reasons I fail to see whatever part in this reform might be unclear or controversial.'

'The IFAA is a relatively simple act aimed at improving the efficiency of Eutopian transit network and therefore improvement to national infrastructure and economic competitiveness.'

'If GA Levarge has any reason to object this act he is free to state his objections and reservations. In such a case we might work towards a more favorable solution, if one exists. If and until this is done, I see no reason or purpose to alter the IFAA in any way as no member of General Assembly had made any form of critique on any specific part of the IFAA bill.'

'Mr. Speaker, respected members of the General Assembly, I thank you for your atention.'

 

[Voshkod]

Mr. Saint Deare, the people of this country elected that three members of the CUE should represent them before this body. I have the honor to be one of those three. It is my duty to those people, and to all the people of Eutopia, to make the best decisions I can before I vote. And the only way I - or any of us - can do that is to have the best information.

The Eutopian Presidential Powers Amendment was presented before this body without comment by its sponsor, and there was no debate, despite my requests to ask the President to speak to us about the need for the Amendment. Why did we need this amendment? I wasn't sure, and I voted against it, as did four other members. I note the sponsor failed to even vote.

The Eutopian Pension Investment Corporation was presented before this body. It contained a good description of the necessity for the bill. There was enlightening discussion. And I voted for it.

The Interprovincial Freeway Acquisition Act was presented without explanation. I asked for more data, and the Minister in charge was quite forthcoming about the current need. But how did we get to this pass? This is relevant data that we, and our constituents, deserve to have!

We are not a rubber stamp. We are a national assembly, and we have the duty to serve the people as best we can. Perhaps I'm a bit slow, maybe I just need more information than you. But I will keep asking questions, Mr. Saint Deare.

And if you, or anyone else, has questions about my proposals - the Eutopian Guaranteed Government Constitutional Amendment and my Amendment to Provide the Assembly the Power to Subpoena Witnesses - don't hesitate to ask.

Let's serve the people here, and make the best decisions we can with the best information we can collect. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we request the President - and former Presidents - brief us on his view regarding the need for a veto power, so we can revisit that amendment. I request we ask the Minister of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs to give us an official briefing on highway issues, and I request that President Murmandus brief us on what happened during his term that led to the letting of private contracts.

 

[Erc]

Now, personally I'm a bit reluctant to endorse what is essentially tantamount to nationalization of the freeways. Of course, it isn't nationalization in the most onerous sense--the roads are government property anyway, we just contract out the right to raise tolls and maintain the roads--and, as far as I can tell, developers may refuse to sell the rights back to us if they wish (if I am interpreting the legislation correctly).

Now, I'm all for letting the market operate freely. But considering that there is already a free alternative (ie the secondary roads), we're forcing the private freeways out of business--so I really don't see any alternative but to buy them up in the interest of the smooth operation of commerce.

 

[Sterkarm]

I believe that the EPPA is a good idea, but it has not been developed enough (oddly much like my earlier bills). It needs to include a check/balance for the General Assembly as well. Something along the lines of the Assembly approving the President's cabinet lists would work, but that may be going a bit far.

Perhaps the ability to enact a vote of no confidence or impeach the president would also work. Of course it would not be a simple vote in the GA, it would extend to the Senate as well. This would override the Council of State, as most of the members of the Council of State owe their jobs to the president and would not even consider impeaching him. The vote in both the GA and the Senate would need 2/3 (6 votes for) in order to pass. If the Senate or the GA vote it down, then the other would have revote and have 7 votes for impeachment in order for it to pass.

I believe this is an acceptable resolution to the problem of the EPPA unbalancing the government. Now the EPPA gives the executive branch real power while still keep the government balanced.

 

[Brownbeard]

Mr. Speaker, respected members of General Assembly, I would like to reintroduce the IFAA bill for discussion:

Interprovincial Freeway Acquisition Act (IFAA)

Section I. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs, acting on behalf of the government and the people of the United Provinces of Eutopia, is hereby authorized to acquire the Interprovincial Freeway System lying within the boundaries of our nation from the current owners, and to administer that system starting from the date of acquisition.

Section II. Four hundred million ducats (Ð 400,000,000) are hereby appropriated for the acquisition of the Interprovincial Freeway System lying within the boundaries of our nation.

Also, I would offer you several materials to inform yourself of the issue further, so any misunderstandings might be cleared more easily:

From the Term VI MTEF report on infrastructure:

Roads: Eutopia's freeway system is rather chaotic. Much of it's development was left to private contractors who bid out for its development under a questionable scheme. Though it is new, there are questions surrounding its maintenance. Further, because of the tolls guaranteed to private developers, many would be users still prefer to use the longer
routes, which are free, but congested.

Currently a crisis is brewing because the return on the tolls are below what developers expected and as a result they are putting less money into maintenance. And, the only regular users of the freeway system are commercial teamsters who simply pass the tolls on to their customers. This has contributed to the island's inflation rate as the cost of all goods transported on Eutopia's freeways is jacked up to meet the tolls, which in turn have been raised because they are not raising enough money to meet the construction costs incurred by developers.

Significant portions of the nation are without any service from the freeways. Jacobia, WET, Nueva Rioja, Saint-Espirit, and Nouvelle Aquitaine are all unconnected, as well as the northern portion of New Lancaster. Some claim that, just as the lack of rail line connections attribute to a lack of overall development, these regions also are finding themselves falling behind. However, Jacobia still is highly developed, despite some companies that have begun to look into relocating due the lack of easy transportation, and New Lancaster's secondary road system is more than adequate, following the boom in the area as an international center of commerce.

Eutopia's other main roadways are in adequate shape at the moment. However, as rail maintenance continues to demand a larger portion of the Transportation budget, some roads are beginning to fall in disrepair, particularly bridges. These roads were intended to be used less frequently traveled and tend to be in the aforementioned under developed districts, but they have grown in congestion due to citizen dissatisfaction with the tolls on the freeways. Another issue is a lack of funds for improvements in urban and suburban areas. As urban sprawl incorporates more and more territory, formerly rural routes need widening, increased traffic control, or other upgrades. There is virtually no funding in this area.

Once the rail issues are addressed, and funding levels return to normal, Eutopia's roads should be adequately maintained. However, a slight bump in the budget would address the need for urban and suburban improvements. More pressing is the need to somehow correct the fiasco that is Eutopia's Freeway system. The failure of the freeways only serve to reinforce the existing difficulties certain regions have had in developing, and will lead to much more severe economic problems for the government if left unaddressed.

And MIDA statement:

'Nonstop' Toll Collection System Being Rolled Out

Minister of Infrastructure and Domestic Affairs Loic de Fourgéres announced today that a new toll collection system called 'Nonstop' would partially replace existing toll booths on the interprovincial freeway system, similar to systems already in certain locations in the US and Europe, which permits tolls to be collected without the vehicle having to stop. Vehicle owners would be able to get a device which can be detected by sensors that would be installed at the 'Nonstop' toll lanes. The cost of the toll would be deducted from the vehicle owner's account, which could be replenished by credit card or check. The minister said, "Toll booths are statistically a site of many accidents. The Nonstop system will reduce those, thereby increasing safety. When fully rolled out, this will enable drivers to go from Eutopia City to New Lancaster City or St. Brendanstown without stopping, more quickly and more safely than before. It will also assist in recovery of stolen vehicles."

There will be a combination of current-style pay-at-the-booth and Nonstop lanes at each toll collection point. As this is a gradual implementation, no layoffs are planned, with the reduction in the number of toll-takers being achieved through normal attrition and redeployment in other MIDA functions. As this is expected to lead to a reduction in toll collection costs, MIDA will not need an appropriation to roll out Nonstop. Some of the savings will be shared with driver in the form of discounts relative to current tolls for Nonstop users.

Go Nonstop! Its quicker, safer, and cheaper!

Mr. Speaker, respected members of General Assembly, I thank you for your attention.

 

[Sterkarm]

Well, do any of the MGAs have comment on the Revised EPPA bill I've mentioned?

 

[Voshkod]

I believe that adding a Presidential veto authority is probably needed. Likewise, a legislative override of that veto is also necessary. I would recommend that the President be granted the authority to overturn a bill passed out of the Assembly and the Senate. If the President exercises this authority, the Assembly and the Senate can override the veto with six favorable votes, in the case of normal legislative activity, and seven favorable votes, in the case of constitutional amendments.

 

[Sterkarm]

Well then, should I propose the revised EPPA (granting the power of the GA to review cabinet choices)? And would I be able to do so?

 

[Sterkarm]

I will take the silence as a yes to both questions:

Revised Eutopian Presidential Powers Amendment (REPPA)

Section One: This Amendment will concern this part of The Constitution:

Constitution for the United Provinces of Eutopia

Part IV: The Federal Parliment

Art. 19. [Legislative process]
(d) If a bill secures the approval of at least five Senators, it is passed into law; otherwise, it fails. Constitutional amendments require the approval of at least six Senators. The President will have the power to veto any bill or Constitutional Amendment. A veto must be rejected by at least six Senators or six MGAs for it to have no effect, otherwise the bill or Amendment will be defeated. For constitutional amendments the votes required are one more (7 to reject veto).

Section Two: This amendment concerns the following article as well:

Art. 7. [Composition of executive] The Federal Executive shall consist of the President as Head of State and Head of Government, and four Ministers appointed by the President. However, the candidates for the positions will have to be screened by the GA and will have to receive four (4) votes in favor in order to take up their position. The candidate may attempt it more times if the president approves. Each time they apply, the votes required rise by one (5 for second attempt, 6 for third attempt, 7 for fourth, etc.). If a candidate is appointed to a different position or attempts the same position during a different term, the votes required are reset to 4. The GA may refuse to hear the candidate with seven (7) votes if the candidate is attempting the same position for at least the second time. One of the Ministers shall also be appointed Vice-President by the President; the Vice-President shall fulfill the President’s functions if and while the latter is absent or incapable of fulfilling the duties of office, or when the Presidency becomes vacant.

Section Three: This Amendment will come into effect at the start of Term XI.