Fwurg

[Senator Acehtoo of the Miomanian Colonists]

"Dear Senators,

Since the Union fleets look adequate in their power but lacking in numbers compared to other factions such as the Mandalorians we are planning to start the construction of a new Union Defence Fleet.

We can buy the necessary from member worlds. With a public tender we can keep the price low and stimulate the Union economy.

To finance this effort we would like to cancel part 2 of the Turn 17 subsidies and the tax deductable technology subsidies. Since these subsidy laws are not used any more by member worlds it would be a shame to let this go to waste.

The ending of these laws together should offer 250 / , this is enough to provide for the upkeep while the new Union Defence Fleet is defensive and can be used for the construction while it is still inactive.

Furthermore The minister of Defence is willing to commit at least 3000 from his contingency budget to make sure we can start the construction immediately and can give the fleet two upgrades as well in minimal time.

We will start with the construction of 1 additional fleet, but could create more in the future if there is additional interest and funding.

Our proposal:"

Union Defence Fleet Construction Act

The creation and funding of a fund for constructing new Union Defence Fleets and upgrading the Union Defence fleets.

1. Starting a fund for the construction and upgrading of Union Defence Fleets
2. Changing existing laws
   
   1. Cancel section 2 of the Turn 17 subsidies. (provides 150 / )
   2. Cancel the Tax Deductable Technological Research Law. (provides 100 / )
3. Acquired funds
   
   1. Channel the 250 / into the created fund as long as the first created new fleet is still under construction or inactive.
   2. Use the 250 / to provide for the upkeep of the first created new fleet when it is defensive or combat-ready.
   3. The ministry of Defence will commit 3000 to the fund.
4. Capital Ships for construction of Union Defence Fleets from the fund will be bought from Union members using public tender.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"We of the Consensus oppose this idea the way it is presented. We are not against increasing the amount of Union Fleets, but we are against removing part 2 of the turn 17 subsidies law. Out of personal experience we know that young factions have very limited trade capabilities, while at the same time they often struggle to compete with the larger factions. In our experience, this subsidy law is a great support for factions to increase their trade capabilities which is required to increase their cooperation with other factions.

We ask you, who have made use of this subsidy and have found this subsidy useful?"

The Teprogrenaian Senator waited a short period, enough to let the other senators think, but before anyone could say something Tassar continued: "Instead of cutting in support for cooperation, we think it is better to use cooperation to obtain the necessary funding for the fleet."

[Nehket Aeka]

"I agree with senator Tasasr that the Turn 17 subsidies are still relevant for small worlds. However, we are not opposed to restructuring said subsidies into a more appropriate form, for example 1.0 per , instead of the current 1.5 .

The second proposal cuts into the tax deductable technological research law. As we see it, this law has done little to improve research and development across the Union. Most research that has been done with the subsidies would have been done without them as well."

"There is another issue though. I am in favour of improving the Union's military might. But I do not think that the creation of a single new fleet will be much of an improvement. Instead, effort should be put into improving the cooperation between Union members..."


The veolian senator looked at the minister of defence and the chancellor.

"As everyone is well aware, the Veolian Commonwealth offered to send its fleets to aid the border worlds, financed purely by our own purse, I might add. Instead of being welcomed, we were told that help was not needed, or that we should turn over command of our fleets to a foreign nation.

Instead of spending enormous amounts of taxes on a single fleet, we would rather see the cabinet take action to ensure that Union members are actually allowed to aid in the defence of the Union."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"The Sundarian Federation also has trouble lending support to this proposal."

Senator de Montrève stated after critics from both the Consensus and Veolian Commonwealth.

"While the construction of an additional fleet might seem necessary, we feel that this is a stop gap measure, which will in turn hurt the Union's Budget more then it's offer benefits. In the larger scale of the current conflict the addition of a single fleet is only marginal, and we feel that the money used to construct this fleet could be better spendable on other project, like the ones this proposal seeks to undermine.

In our opinion the increase of military presence does not outway the benefits presented by the strengtening of our trade capabilities and cooperation, which the both the tex deductable technological research law and the Turn 17 subsidies offer. We would second the suggestion made by Senator Nehket Aeka that the cabinet should seek to improve this cooperation between member world further."

[Senator Harek]

"The Hiocan Society has used the Turn 17 subsidy to increase its trade capacity. This enable us to trade with bigger factions and without it our economy would be a few turns back in time. It should remain preferably completely intact.

The Union covers a large area and protection all borders intensely with fleets will be quite expensive. Alternative ways should be be explored for a flexible defense mechanism."