NSG Senate Chamber: I came, I saw, I cleaned up after myself

[The Saint James Islands]

"I motion for cupcakes."

"Fifthed."

[Ainin]

Motion to extend debate on SCEDA for 12 hours.

"The Chair rules this motion dilatory."

[Ainin]

"I motion for cupcakes."

"The Chair accepts this motion. The Parliamentary Staff shall acquire cupcakes."

[The Nihilistic view]

Motion to extend debate on SCEDA for 12 hours.

"The Chair rules this motion dilatory."

"Mr Speaker, you should restrict your chair to housing your behind. Chairs having opinions is highly irregular! "

[The Nihilistic view]

"Even you concede it's at least a bit anti competition. There are ways to create thriving CBDs without putting firms outside them at a competitive disadvantage from a cost perspective or establishing them without so much government interference and control.

Secondly do the people in rural areas want to have industrial centers dumped on them by the government or are they perfectly happy as they are with their current way of life in the countryside working the land. These things would go much smoother if they are allowed to develop of their own accord rather than forced on people who might prefer their current way of life. What of the farmers or other people already living in the areas the zones will go? Will they be forcible displaced? Will the tax breaks be given to them as they are there already?

The more you try and argue for the bill the more problems and questions it brings up in my mind. That is very rare I fine with legislation and indicates to me it's not properly thought through."

"Mr Johnson, I admitted that markets are only perfectly competitive in theory and that theory does not stand true in the real world. As I mentioned to Mr Covasku, the SCEDA is no more anti-competition than the free market itself-- and the free market is the closest we can get to maximal competition. But please, if you say there are ways to make thriving CBDs, could you list me them, or perhaps propose an amendment right here. I see the Chamber as a place to improve the nation collectively, not to bicker, so I always welcome constructive commentary and criticism from the opposition bench.

Additionally, Mr Johnson, you should take note that the bill specifically mentions that NEZs are designated at the request of the local municipalities, so if local municipalities do not wish to have a NEZ, then they may as well just ... not ask for one."

"Prime Minister, do not dodge the issue. The bill does not have any sections on how exactly a NEZ is implemented. What does it mean for the people living in the area? What does it mean for businesses already there? If the people there don't want to sell their land isn't it just a pointless exercise? Or does it mean that people will be forced out to make room for these businesses that are supposedly going to relocate. No thought has gone in to how this will be practically done and really has no difference to leaving it to the market. What of the infrastructure to support the zones? Which there won't be seeing as the target is supposed to be rural and less developed areas. You can't develop such zones without first putting in the ground work anyway. And that is what I mean by better ways, if you create areas which have good infrastructure businesses will naturally relocate without putting some at a competitive disadvantage due to tax rates. This means things like Road, Rail and Air transport links, power grids, reliable fast internet and more besides. Making sure the tax rates encourage enterprise by reducing rates that will help all businesses. Maybe some of these things are already planned but they will have a much better effect than these NEZs. Working with Universities to provide a strong courses in areas that will allow the development of our Tech economy. These are things that would not just benefit all businesses but the general population at large in their everyday lives.

The current policy is disagreeable and the planning behind it seems just as bad. I can't even say I disagree with it but at least it's planned well."

[The Nihilistic view]

Out of curiosity, what would be the reaction if I proposed a friendly amendment to remove §1 from the SCEDA?
Motion to strike the entirety of Section 1 out from the SCEDA.

I'll resubmit a better version in the coming weeks. Everything else looks fine, but NEZs seem unnecessarily contentious at this time.

"What about sections 2, 3 and 4?"

[The Saint James Islands]

Motion to extend debate on SCEDA for 12 hours.

"The Chair rules this motion dilatory."

"I motion for cupcakes."

"The Chair accepts this motion. The Parliamentary Staff shall acquire cupcakes."

Diego nods in approval.

[Ainin]

"Next up for debate is the Weights and Measures Act."

[The Nihilistic view]

"Next up for debate is the Weights and Measures Act."

"Mr Speaker, how can a bill with no sponsors be debated? The Government that gave the sponsorship no longer exists."

[The Danish Confederacy]

"I motion for Banana pudding."

[Zurkerx]

"It is one thing for cupcakes. It is another for banana pudding. Now the legislation at hand here. I would have to agree with Mr. Johnson. With both of us being former Speakers of this Parliament, I think this bill would not be considered a government one because the previous government has come to an end. So, there would be no sponsors then?"

[The New World Oceania]

"Weights and Measures are of far greater importance than prostitutional regulation or SCEDA." Njil nods, eyes wide.

[Jeckland]

"So we've stopped debating a crucial economic bill to start debating a bill which isn't even a legal bill?"

Matheus slow claps.

[The Saint James Islands]

Diego rolls his eyes, sighing heavily.

[The Nihilistic view]

"I would also say it's not exactly a good idea to debate a bill that the author legally can't debate.

Also a Point of order about the SCEDA, I can't find if the bill was sponsored by the president as it does not say on the bill. If it's does not since it deals with some tax levels Mr Speaker does that mean that the bill is a finance bill and should not be in the queue and debated or voted on as it does not have the legal assent necessary to be introduced to the legislature?"

[The Sarian]

"Mr Speaker, I can confirm that I have not given prior assent to the bill, nor have the government aproached me for assent. "

[Lykens]

"Mr Speaker, I can confirm that I have not given prior assent to the bill, nor have the government aproached me for assent. "

"I'm a bit confused. Is the President going along with attempts to remove SCEDA from the floor?"

[The Sarian]

"Mr Speaker, I can confirm that I have not given prior assent to the bill, nor have the government aproached me for assent. "

"I'm a bit confused. Is the President going along with attempts to remove SCEDA from the floor?"

The President puts the integrity of her office before party politics.

[Lykens]

"I'm a bit confused. Is the President going along with attempts to remove SCEDA from the floor?"

Because the President puts her office before party politics.

"Does this mean the President is having second thoughts about appointing Señora Marino as Prime Minister?"

[Jeckland]

"I'm a bit confused. Is the President going along with attempts to remove SCEDA from the floor?"

Because the President puts her office before party politics.

"I support this. Rules are rules."

[Electrum]

I do think an explanation is warranted regardless on what side you're on...

[Arkolon]

Because the President puts her office before party politics.

"Does this mean the President is having second thoughts about appointing Señora Marino as Prime Minister?"

"I think you just set a new Olympic record for the long jump in thought process.

To confirm, yes, it seems as if SCEDA's readiness was overlooked as it did not receive Presidential assent before being submitted to vote. I suggest we take it out of this week's schedule and resubmit it later during this government: this time with assent."

[Ainin]

"The Chair stands corrected. The Weights and Measures Act and the Startup Calaverde Economic Development Act will be dropped."

"We don't actually have time to start debate on another bill, so..."

Pierre waves at the Sergeant-at-Arms, who promptly opens the oak doors of the chamber, revealing 20 deliverymen pushing carts full of frosting-covered cupcakes.

"Who wants a cupcake?"

[Electrum]

Mm. Thanks

[The Sarian]

Matilde bit into the cupcake, before leaving to go back to the Presidential Palace. "Perhaps the government could take questions from the legislature in the meanwhile?"