Fwurg

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"A long time ago, in this very galaxy, and in fact on this very world, this senate discussed the terraformation of Unity, and reserved funds for this very goal.

Unity is the very heart of the Union, and it deserves to be more than a dead rock with a tiny city on its pole. We propose to use the reserved funds to make our capital world a much more beautiful place.

All Union Members are asked to vote for one of the following options, and as a special consideration to comments from the previous vote, one of those options is not to terraform at this time.

Option A:

The funds reserved for the terraformation of Unity shall be used to develop technology to improve the atmosphere on Unity. To this end, a new Technology shall be developed for use by the Union in this effort.

To enable the development of this technology, a specialized research facility shall be built in Unity City where researchers from different nations shall cooperate in this development. The research facility shall be built and decorated under the perview of the Chancellor and shall center around at least one statue, no less than 20 meters tall, depicting a prominent member of the government.

Option B:

The funds reserved for the terraformation of Unity shall be used to develop technology to introduce natural life on Unity. To this end, a new Technology shall be developed for use by the Union in this effort.

To enable the development of this technology, a specialized research facility shall be built in Unity City where researchers from different nations shall cooperate in this development. The research facility shall be built and decorated under the perview of the Chancellor and shall center around at least one statue, no less than 20 meters tall, depicting a prominent member of the government.

Option C:

No terraformation of Unity should take place during this electoral period. Instead each member world shall make a payment of 1000 to increase the funds reserved for terraformation, to be used by a later administration.

In preparation of future development of new technologies, a specialized research facility shall be built in Unity City where researchers from different nations shall cooperate in this development. The research facility shall be built and decorated under the perview of the Chancellor and shall center around at least one statue, no less than 20 meters tall, depicting a prominent member of the government."

The following member worlds may vote:

• Astai Republic
• Astrian Colonial Authority
• Federal Republic of Bisidn
• High Chiefdom of Skuldda
• Hiocan Society
• Holy Heimgolian Theocracy
• IO Protocol
• Kingdom of Komès
• Kingdom of Meritonia
• Praetorian Empire
• Principality of Suma
• Silver Forests of Remunzia
• Sundarian Federation
• Tepogranaian Consensus
• Unified Republic of Darya
• Veolian Commonwealth

Voting closes on 2015-09-21 23:59."

[Nehket Aeka]

The veolian senator voted via a public message to the chancellor, sent through a diplomatically encrypted channel from Mirda:

Dear chancellor Odakim V,

The Veolian Commonwealth votes in favour of option A.

We do not see any benefit in waiting with the terraformation of Unity any longer. With the currently accumulated funds we should be able to tackle the first step towards improving the planet, and the improvement of the atmosphere is a big step forward in creating a sustainable ecosystem.

Yours sincerely,
Nehket Aeka

[Senator Harek]

"The Hiocan Society votes option A. We agreed that the reserved funds should be used for a better atmosphere."

[Senator Arzag of Suma]

"Principality of Suma abstains."

[0x71A7E17A (mask of 0x71A7E17A)]

0x71A7E17AABSTAIN

[Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia]

The kingdom of Meritonia abstains

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"The Sundarian Federation votes for option A."

[Atheos]

"The Astai Republic feels that more discussion in the senate before these votes is needed.

Having said this, we agree with Senator Nehket Aeka and vote in favour of Option A."

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

The Astrian Senator had not so much as moved both during the last vote as this one, but now he rose.

"Chancellor Odakim," he started, "twice now have you opened a vote in the senate without giving it the chance to be discussed beforehand. Not only this, but also the fact that you have forgone the option that maintains the current situation in these votes, is a questionable practice in my opinion."

"I would also like to point out to you, Chancellor, that we do not pay taxes to the Union so it can glorify members of cabinet with statues and paintings. Surely there are better things to spend that money on?"

"All this, combined with the fact you have ignored the requests for discussion from several members, leads me to the position of requesting this vote is postponed until the matter of the terraformation of Unity has been properly discussed by the senate."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I second the proposal to postpone this vote until the matter has been properly discussed in the senate."

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"But Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima," the Chancellor countered "I have expressly included an additional option, option C, to allow for maintaining the status quo! Perhaps it is not entirely what you envisioned the vote to be, and as such my personal style of running the Chancellery is not to your liking, but to suggest that I do not listen to the suggestions by the Senate is an exaggeration.

And surely the Union deserves to be glorified with marvellous statues and paintings of its leaders? What kind of a Union would we have if it was not represented by amazing and marvellous constructions like this?"

The Chancellor seemed rather taken aback by the criticism, though it wasn't clear if this was genuine, or an act.

"I have studied your request, testing it to the Law of Motions and the Union Voting Laws.

A vote which has already been started cannot simply be postponed - there is no legal structure for this. A vote can however be held up by a Motion of Inquiry, which requests specific information crucial to the vote. However, this would result in the formation of a committee, rather than opening a debate by the entire senate, so as such it does not meet your request.

However, the Union Voting Law allows me, your magnificent Chancellor, to extend the deadline at my leisure, provided that I give a valid reason for the extension.

At this time, it is my personal leisure that the vote shall be extended at least until the end of the week, setting a new deadline of 2015-09-27 23:59. I furthermore open the floor for discussion in the meantime!"

[Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima]

"I don't call having to pay 1000 maintaining the status quo, Chancellor. And I'd rather have a Union defined by actions that improve all of the Unions citizens, not just those that live on Unity."

The Astrian Senator didn't sound very pleased.

"I don't appreciate being patronized, Chancellor. Simply extending the voting deadline does not change the voting options, no matter how much time we have to discuss it!"

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We of the Teprogrenaian Consensus agree with the Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima and Senator Ardios Eldrilith and are pleased that the vote is at least extended till there has been proper discussion.

However, as Lord-Senator Kachiso Doshima stated, an extension of the vote alone does not change the voting options, no matter the outcome of the discussion. He is also correct in his statement that there is no option to maintain the status quo. As all the options are include the research facility around a statue of undefined size of an unknown person.

We appreciate your effort to improve the Union and let no go unspent, but we don't like the lack of discussion and proper voting options."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I believe it is time to be blunt and just say what everybody is thinking.

We believe that this vote lacks an option to vote against the wasting of funds and terraformation equipment on a planet that is not economically viable.

Furthermore we agree that creating a large statue of an unknown member of the government is shifty at best, since these government officials are so temporary. We can not place a proper informed vote if we don't know who the depicted indivual is."

[Senator Salixa of the Silver Forests of Remunzia]

"Due to the controversial nature of the topic of terraformation, the Silver Forests of Remunzia abstain."

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"The Holy Heimgolian Theocracy has let us know via Holo message that they vote for option C"

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"My fine Senators, thank you for taking the time to discuss this matter and voice your most welcome idea's. Naturally we shall take them into consideration. As it is, I hereby close the vote. These are the results:

• 4 votes for option A
• 0 votes for option B
• 1 vote for option C
• 3 abstentions

Option A wins and I will have the relevant work begin as soon as possible."

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

I am happy to report that the Chancellor Bolv'ar Memorial Technology and Terraformation Institute (CBMTTI) has been officially opened!