The We're Getting Filthy Rich Act

[Hooligan]

Given that the deadline for hopping a bill with hopes of it making the March Clark is approaching quickly, I submit the following draft legislation:

The We're Getting Filthy Rich Act

WHEREAS Talossan statutory law 34RZ14 wisely provided a legal requirement that political parties pay a fee when registering for a national election, and

WHEREAS this same law specifies that "[t]he funds will be placed in the Account of Inland Revenue and the government may, by law, appropriate funds from that account to defray specific, itemized expenditures", and

WHEREAS in the most recent election, a full 98 Louis, 20 bence was collected (measured at the current fixed exchange rate of 59 bence to the U.S. dollar, since we are still waiting for the Ministry of Finance to determine any different basis for our coinage), and

WHEREAS thanks to the amazing efficiency and economy of His Majesty's Chancery, the itemised expenses for the attendant election do not amount to that much money, and

WHEREAS the law doesn't say what should be done with money not needed for said expenditures, and

WHEREAS it should, now

THEREFORE the Ziu of the Kingdom of Talossa does hereby resolve that Talossan statutory law 34RZ14 be amended with the addition of the following language:

Any excess not required to cover the costs of said expenditures shall be delivered to the custody the Burgermeister of Inland Revenue for augmentation of the Royal Treasury. As with all other funds in the treasury, the Burgermeister shall be obligated to manage, invest, and disburse these funds at the direction of the current Minister of Finance, answerable to the Seneschal and the people of the Kingdom.

Uréu q'estadra sa:

Hooligan (MC, RUMP)

[EM Vürinalt]

I agree, there is not much to contest on this bill.

[Dréu Gavárþic'h]

This is great as it will work in concert with my "Men in Black" bill. My full support, of course.

[Owen Edwards]

It's a scary thing when we have a surplus...we, Talossa...some fool will come up with a pension plan soon...

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

This bill points out the need for better fiscal controls in Talossa. Something like the U.S. Anti-Deficiency Act. The bill provides that "the Burgermeister shall be obligated to manage, invest, and disburse these funds at the direction of the current Minister of Finance, answerable to the Seneschal and the people of the Kingdom." Which means that, theoretically, the Minister of Finance could singlehandedly decide to blow the whole treasury on, say, fancy stationary for the Ministry of Finance. And he would be answerable to the Seneschal in that the Seneschal could fire him for being so foolish, and answerable to the people in that the people could choose not to re-elect the party that let such a thing happen, but that doesn't recover the (say) hundreds of dollars saved up over months and months. Expenditures should be approved in advance by the legislature, as in any other democratic state. (Compare Art 1 Sec 9 clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution: "No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.")

[Hooligan]

Please take note also of the language of clauses 14 and 15 of the Newer Numismatic Naming Act, which establishes the financial system of the Kingdom.

And this same act -- hello Reserve Board members??? -- authorises the coinage and postage program that is -- hello Reserve Board members??? -- underway and -- hello?? -- nearing completion??

Hooligan

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

mha said:

Please take note also of the language of clauses 14 and 15 of the Newer Numismatic Naming Act, which establishes the financial system of the Kingdom.

Clause 16, though, is a loophole big enough to drive a truck through. But it seems like we have some good ideas about how to fix that.

And this same act -- hello Reserve Board members??? -- authorises the coinage and postage program that is -- hello Reserve Board members??? -- underway and -- hello?? -- nearing completion??

Hooligan

We are in a position where we should be able to issue postage stamps in a matter of weeks. Coins or notes will take some more research (and fundraising).