Ibica Government Record

[The United States of Ibica]

The Ibica Government Record is a joint project of the Federal Records Administration, the Congressional Reporting Service, and the Association of State Legislatures. The goal of The Record is to provide a neutral, unbiased look at government related news. We have a staff of experienced journalists and legislative aides that understand Ibica's political landscape, and are experts at interpreting legalese that is common in government institutions. Beyond publishing what is currently happening, we will also publish regular retrospectives, as well as taking requests for information sought by the public. We will also occasionally collate articles from independent news sources when they cover relevant topics.
- Alanna Carpenter, Director

Our Staff

• Madonna Nigel, Council
• Yolanda Constable, Editor
• Ralph Wesley, Editor
• Misti Strudwick, Researcher
• Chad Cobb, Researcher
• Merritt Beake, Researcher
• Eve Warren, Writer
• Magdalen Norwood, Writer
• Brent Pressley, Writer
• Catharine Garey, Writer

[The United States of Ibica]

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[The United States of Ibica]

Romane Statehood Advancing

This morning, the House of Representatives officially passed the Romane Statehood Act 156-76 (with the Representatives absent). The bill, sponsored by the Romane Territory's Non-Voting Delegate Norene Queen, has now been sent to the Senate, where it will need to be approved by the Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs, before going to vote on the senate floor. Most legislative and political experts are anticipating the Senate to pass the Statehood Act. This is following a scandal from earlier this year when the Romane Territory held an unauthorized referendum on statehood, in which the federal government threatened to disband the territorial legislature and some conservative federal legislators called for the Romane Governor's impeachment. A resulting court case upheld the Territory's right to apply for statehood.

So what's the deal with statehood, what is the difference between being a state and being a territory? That really depends on the territory's specific organic act. Generally speaking though, territories lack sovereignty. The Ibican federal system is based on the theory of Dual Sovereignty, that the federal government and the states' both have their own, inherent sovereignty, defined and limited by the Constitution. Territories though, do not have sovereignty. Because of this lack of sovereignty, territories also lack representation. In Congress, each state gets 2 senators and 1 representative for every 500,000 residents. Territories though, only get one non-voting representative each, and no senators. Residents of territories also cannot vote for president. People born in territories are Ibican citizens by birth, and are entitled to voting rights, but not while residing in territories. If a resident of Romane desired to vote in a Presidential Election, they would need to move across the state line into Albion to illegible.

There are some benefits though to territorial status, or, at least there can be. This depends on the territories specific Organic Act. For instance, Edward Island is allowed to represent itself in intergovernmental organizations and international sporting competitions. Every Territory is also exempted from federal income taxes, while still receiving federal aide; such as highway funding, disaster relief, and welfare programs. Territories also technically have the option to become independent. While states also can become independent, it is theorized that it would be much more difficult and expensive for them to do so. The only territory though that would likely be financially solvent on its own is Edward Island (which 500 years ago was an independent kingdom), however their is are no serious independence movements in Ibica at the moment.

With the Apparent success of Romane's statehood bid looming, we should expect to see Edward Island follow suit very quickly. Haviland Territory may make a bid as well, but support for statehood is much lower there. Time will only tell though. Should the Romane Statehood Act pass, it stipulates that the Territory of Romane would become the State of Romane on January 1st, with the scheduled territorial elections in November would become the first Romane state level election, with seat for an upper house of their legislature, 3 federal House of Representative Seats, and an elector governor. The newly elected governor would then also appoint 2 senators to serve until the next Senate elections. Supposing the bill passes, the Romane State Government would take office at noon on January 1st.

About the Author

Eve Warren is a graduate of the University of Angola - Olympia's School of Political Science. During her school years, she interned with the Angola State Legislature's Legislative Staff, one year serving as the chief of staff for her local state representative. After college, she moved to Willmington and become a professional legislative staffer for five years, before joining the Congressional Reporting Service. Because of the excellence of her reporting with the CRS, she was the first writer chosen asked to write for the Record. Eve is also a wife and mother of two young daughters.

©Ibica Government Record, all rights reserved.
Congressional Reporting Service - 205 Ochoa Avenue, Willmington, West Monroe

[The United States of Ibica]

Forging New Ties

Today the Department of Defense announced that elements of the Army and Navy would participating in Operation Frozen Resolve with the Nanako Island Self Defense Force. The main objective of these annual exercises is for training in an Arctic environment, which Ibican troops have little exposure. The islands where the Operation is set to take place are cold enough that SDF warned that one later phase could potentially have to be cancelled due to sea ice. Nanako Island is a relatively new ally of Ibica, becoming an official Defense Partner around the same time they invited Ibican forces to take part in Frozen Resolve.

Nanako is not alone in being a newly developed ally though. Over the last year, closer ties have also been forged with Pheonisland and Hundredstar, with the latter joining the DPP and their companies starting to work into the Ibican Economy. President Buckley even has a state visit slated for early next month to Hundredstar. It appears that with her not having filed to run for reelection next year, she may want the legacy of her tenure in office to be that of forging new ties, rather than her administrations initial handling of the Romane Crisis earlier this year.

Regardless of the motivation, the investment her administration is making into diplomacy and strategic alliances is more than welcome in a country that has been largely isolationist since federation in the 1700's. While Ibica hosts a large, well equipped, and well funded military, there has not been a major engagement in decades. These joint exercises will certainly serve to sharpen the edge of our armed forces.

About the Author

Brent Pressley covers foreign and military policy for The Record. He has more than a decade in Willmington's political scene, serving on as legislative staff for the House of Representatives Armed Forces Committee. Pressley was also editor of his university paper before beginning his career with the federal government. A native of Centerville, Calahan, Mr. Pressley is a Cuyoga University graduate, an avid camper and backpacker.

©Ibica Government Record, all rights reserved.
Congressional Reporting Service - 205 Ochoa Avenue, Willmington, West Monroe

[The United States of Ibica]

Travel Advisory Issued for Calejo

The State Department has issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory for foreigners in the Republic of Calejo in response to the worsening political situation in the nation.

Calejo has also ordered the closure of the Ibican embassy, and as such, the embassy is coordinating the evacuation of Ibicans and other foreign nationals before ending operation in the country. They have shifted most operations to Calejo City International Airport, where they are assisting people attain flights out of the country. Anyone seeking assistance in leaving the country that is not able to reach road border crossings but can get to Calejo City, should register with the Embassy, either online or by phone, and travel to the airport. Ibican Airlines, as well as planes chartered by the state department will sending in.

About the Author

Brent Pressley covers foreign and military policy for The Record. He has more than a decade in Willmington's political scene, serving on as legislative staff for the House of Representatives Armed Forces Committee. Pressley was also editor of his university paper before beginning his career with the federal government. A native of Centerville, Calahan, Mr. Pressley is a Cuyoga University graduate, an avid camper and backpacker.

©Ibica Government Record, all rights reserved.
Congressional Reporting Service - 205 Ochoa Avenue, Willmington, West Monroe