Fwurg

[Nehket Aeka]

((OOC: This thread is private to the ministers of the Union; note, this is a live holo conference.))

"Ministers,

I would like to discuss former chancellor Bolv'ar's safety of the Union act. I have stripped it down to the bare essentials, so we can reconstruct the law upon the foundations laid by former chancellor Bolv'ar. Please have a look at both files:"

She sent two files to all:

Bolv'ar's Basic Safety of the Union Act

1. In order to promote worlds to construct their own defence forces, each member world of the Union will be granted a one time 500 subsidy to construct one Defence Force, to be paid out when their Defence Force is being constructed.
2. To promote member worlds to build their own fleets, the Union will pay 10 upkeep for a single fleet for each member world, if such a fleet is present.
3. To further promote member worlds to build their own fleets, the Union will pay a 1000 subsidy to member worlds who construct a fleet, with a maximum of once per member.
4. Article 3 applies only if the Capital Ships for this fleet are produced by the member world themselves or if they are acquired from another member world who produced them through trade.
5. When researching a technology relevant to Defence under the Tax Deductible Technological Research Law, a subsidy of 500 will be made available for each such technology developed.
6. Funds acquired through Article 5 may be distributed amongst the researching nations by their mutual agreement. In case an agreement cannot be reached, no subsidy will be paid out.
7. Any technology developed through subsidies in Article 5 should be made available for purchase to other union members at no more than half the cost of its research.
8. To finance these subsidies, Tax Brackets 1 will be increased to 15%, for a total additional tax per turn of up to 50 per member world.

Offer of Aid Addendum

A) To promote new worlds defending themselves, Defence Forces may now be purchased with the 'Offer of Aid' funds granted to new members.

Essentials of the Basic Safety of the Union Act

2. To promote member worlds to build their own fleets, the Union will pay 10 upkeep for a single fleet for each member world, if such a fleet is present.
3. To further promote member worlds to build their own fleets, the Union will pay a 1000 subsidy to member worlds who construct a fleet, with a maximum of once per member.
4. Article 3 applies only if the Capital Ships for this fleet are produced by the member world themselves or if they are acquired from another member world who produced them through trade.
8. To finance these subsidies, Tax Brackets 1 will be increased to 15%, for a total additional tax per turn of up to 50 per member world.

Offer of Aid Addendum

A) To promote new worlds defending themselves, Defence Forces may now be purchased with the 'Offer of Aid' funds granted to new members.

"I have removed articles 1, 5, 6 and 7. 5 and 6 were removed because I feel that the current Tax Deductable Technological Research Law already covers the cooperative development of new technologies, and because the law would otherwise contain the ambiguous 'technology relevant to Defence' clause which will lead to much speculation. Article 7 is removed because it is superfluous, with or without the articles on technology subsidies, as this is implied by the tax deductable laws.

Article 1 was removed because this does not promote cooperation. A defence force can only be used in defence of ones own world, and does not help other worlds defend themselves. However, the offer of aid addendum can be kept, as this serves a different purpose.

Article 8 was left intact, as I am confident that those factions that saw a problem with this fair financing scheme will change their opinion if the proposal is given due consideration in the senate.


Other issues raised in the discussion on the original proposal were subsidies on the trade of , the option of improving the Union Defence Fleets.

In my opinion, a subsidy on production is not needed, as the proposal already subsidizes the construction of a fleet, and for this fleet will have to be acquired. So such trade is indirectly subsidized already.

As to the improvement of the Union Defence Fleets: as far as I know these fleets are already at the top of the Union's defensive capabilities. If the minister of defence informs us otherwise, we might have to look into improving them with haste.

What changes would you propose to the essentials of the act?"

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I see no problem with the list of essentials. It has a clear focus on the military fleets.

The main question is: does the Union as a whole need more fleets, distributed among its members, or do we require other things such as better surveillance and intelligence technology as well."

[Maria Latharion]

"Removing articles 1, 5, 6 and 7 seems like a correct choice to me. We should take into account that removing these reduces the costs of this law.

I believe the Union Defence fleets are up to specifications, but I will have an assessment of that made as soon as possible.

While these essentials do promote cooperation, perhaps there are still ways to improve these further."

((OOC: note: currently I can't find any information on the Union Defence fleets other than the upkeep Brend assumes here I can create a page for this but I will need additional info.))

[Nehket Aeka]

"I think we need both, minister Eldrilith. However, technologies are already subsidized through the tax reduction subsidy on cooperative research. What we lack, however, is the option to put our fleets into action without immediately exposing our member worlds to attack. For this, it is a good thing if the member worlds are encouraged to create their own militaries.

I am still open to suggestions for improvements of the safety act. If I have no furter replies within the week, I shall open this propsal to debate in the senate."

[Maria Latharion]

"Chancellor, I have taken the liberty to recalculate the costs using the same method as former senator Bolv'ar.

According to the revised version you propose the eventual costs would be as followed:

Continuous costs: 25*10 = 250 per turn
Non-continuous costs: 25*1000 = 25000 spread over 50 turns

Total costs: 25000 /50 = 500 , 500 + 250 = 750 per turn

Over fifty turn with the current article 8 that leaves 25000 for unexpected costs and uneven cost distribution. While I believe having a buffer is a good thing, I find this to be a bit much.

Possible solutions would be:

Increasing article 2 to 25 , resulting in a buffer of 6250
Decrease article 8 to 14%, resulting in a buffer of 12500
Don't change anything and use the funds for other matters and/or subsidies

[Nehket Aeka]

"Thank you."

The chancellor had a long look at the presented numbers.

"It might be possible to prevent a tax raise, if we retract article 2 of the turn 17 subsidies. Though I am reluctant to do so, as there are still a lot of small worlds with little to none trade capacity."

[Senator Mathi-ey C'b'rton of the Divine Fiefdom of Highmons]

The senator listened silently. She had nothing to add as the other ministers did an excellent job debating the issue.

[Maria Latharion]

"I understand your reluctance and I agree. Removing article 2 of the turn 17 subsidies will make it harder for small economies to grow.

A tax raise might be preferable."

[Nehket Aeka]

"We will have to convince some of the smaller economies. All larger economies do see the benefit of a strong military, as can be seen from the previous votes. I am confident that the smaller economies will see the benefit of this as well, after we present our new proposal.

If there are no further objections, I shall open a debate on the proposal tomorrow."

[Nehket Aeka]

((OOC: In reply to [ Senate ] adressing concernes about military intelligence <Senators only>.))

After some time, the chancellor reopened the holo-conference to continue the discussion.

"Ministers,

It has been requested that extra budget is allocated for military intelligence. I would like your advice on this subject, especially from the minister of defence. As the minister of defence has already calculated, we do have some budgetary space for extensions.

I would like advice on how best to allocate this budget."

[Senator Mathi-ey C'b'rton of the Divine Fiefdom of Highmons]

"Would it be useful to set up a joint budget for research in the military intelligence area? Rather than having it be developed by individual members with complicated subsidy arrangement, perhaps the Union can make a direct investment and share the technology with all its members? Would this satisfy those who asked for more in this area?"

[Maria Latharion]

"That might be a possibility Senator Mathi.

What I am most concerned about is that a large increase of the intelligence budget would only be beneficial if we plan on going to war. I don't think that would be wise."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Based on what I have heard, the Sundarian Federation has plans to create a third Survey Fleet, and is currently researching passive hyperspace monitoring as a way to increase the scanning range of their fleets.

To me, it seems as if they have already committed to this course of action, and are now trying to talk their way into Union funding of their project. This was immediately seconded by the Confederacy of Excaria as they are keen on improving the Union's military might."

"I think setting up a fund for research is an interesting construction, though I am afraid that it will see little use. The cooperative technology subsidies have not sparked a wave of technological developments either.

That being said, I think that the idea has merit; though we should not limit the fund to research. Minister Latharion, would it be feasible to use the funding buffer for the purposes of military intelligence? That should offer the Union a comfortable fund from which to do research and improve our intelligence network.

Of course, we might have to create a committee to determine the best distribution of the fund..."

[Maria Latharion]

"Using the buffer seems reasonable to me and a committee is good as well.

There should be some measures taken so that a committee would be able to hold confidential meetings.

I also advise arrangements be made, that if intelligence suggests an imminent attack on the Union or one of it's members, relaying it to the senate doesn't get slowed down by bureaucracy."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I can not agree more. Which is why I suggested that the committee be responsible for the distribution of the fund, and not for the implementation of any research or improvement in military intelligence. The Committee on Distribution of Union Military Intelligence Funding will just decide on the distribution of the fund between direct implementation, and further research.

The military intelligence network itself will still be the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and the Chancellery. And as such, the Minister of Defence should appoint two of the three seats, while the chancellor appoints a third seat."

[Maria Latharion]

"That is acceptable. I suggest we propose this plan to the senate so it can be debated there."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Very well. I wish to enact a single change though, right now two of the three seats on the committee are apointed by the minister of defence, I propose one of these is appointed by the minister of foreign affairs, as that ministry handles most of our intelligence gathering."

((OOC: Based on the budget Chriz and I are working on, Foreign Affairs is responsible for most spying.))

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"As former minister of foreign affairs I agree with the importance of the ministry of foreign affairs in this matter. I second this proposal and think this is the moment to propose it to the rest of the senate."