Fwurg

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Dear Senators,

As promised we continued to work on the trade hub proposal. Our analysts have looked at the cost and the available funding. We believe we have reason to be optimistic. The cost of the construction of a Union trade hub that is capable of supporting 20 factions is about 50 000 . We have already raised about 30 000 from various funds and pledged donations from the Veolian Commonwealth and Astai Republic and Praetorian Empire. The Praetorian Empire is donating a suitable location that they surveyed in 12 -7, the site is ready for construction.

When we have arranged the remaining funding we will start opening public tenders for the required and .

We would like to call for any Union world that supports this initiative to pledge a donation to the Trade hub fund. These donations will make sure that we will only have a small member world contribution remaining for each of the Union worlds to buy their slot on the trade hub. With enough donations the member world contribution might not even be necessary. This would mean a huge boost for every small Union world without additional costs for them.

We would also like to discuss the law that states construction on the bozzy spine requires a payment to the Union of 1000 / . We believe that for this project we could make an exception since it would be the Union paying to itself, an unnecessary bookkeeping situation.

If everything goes as planned we could open the required public tenders in a few turns which would mean a completion of the trade hub around 230.

Any questions?"

((OOC: The special project proposal and cost calculation can be found in this thread.))

[Senator Shahkra of the Federal Republic of Bisidn]

"I believe the people of Bisidn applaud this effort for increased trade and support potential for small factions, therefore we pledge to donate an amount of 3 000 to this project."

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

"Senator, if I understand correctly, you are forcing the next cabinet with plans of this cabinet. Although I like the swift and just actions you are taking, how are you justifying this eroding of the democratic principles the Union is based on? The principle of having a voice and deciding the course of action with each election."

[Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia]

"I have discussed the proposal with the my esteemed colleague for the Kingdom of Komès and we applaud this effort of the cabinet on behalf the entire Union."

Senator Enrorgh of Meritonia said while standing up to address the Senate,

"We have decided upon a donation of 5000 from our joint budget, in order to further this project."

[Senator Ght'Twwf of the Socialist Republic of Niom]

The senate saw senator Ght'Twwf draws a long breath. Those with some experience recognize this as the start of one of the grand bureaucrat's idiosyncratic monotone monologues. He starts reading from a datapad.

As the ithorian senator reads from the pad, a modicum of panic is visible among his aides. Yet none interrupt him as he dutifully reads out the whole text:

"Footnote one... The Socialist Republic of Niom applauds this effort to improve the economy of the Union for all.

The Socialist Republic of Niom proposes that a committee be formed to investigate the laws and regulations that create the situation of unnecessary bookkeeping as described by minister of commerce Ardios Eldrilith.

Furthermore, the Socialist Republic of Niom asks minister of commerce Ardios Eldrilith to footnote two... one... explain his cost calculations to the senate,... two... to explain what is meant with the 'member world contribution' mentioned by the minister of commerce Ardios Eldrilith, and... three... why 12 -7 has been chosen as the location of the trade hub. It is unclear what the impacts of this 'member world contribution' and the chosen location are on the profitability of the proposed trade hub construction.

After the matter of the unnecessary bookkeeping has been sufficiently reported back to the senate, and predicated upon the satisfactory answering of the questions posed by the Socialist Republic of Niom, we will determine the level of the Socialist Republic of Niom's pledge to the project if any pledge is deemed necessary.

Do not read the next part out loud. Exclamation mark, exclamation mark. Footnote one. Read the sentence with enthusiasm. Footnote two. Please emphasize the following three questions."


"The Socialist Republic of Niom patiently awaits the answers from the ministry of commerce.", grand bureaucrat Ght'Twwf adds after looking up from the pad.

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Senator Lonco, you must have misunderstood the situation. We are not forcing the next cabinet to do anything. We are merely saying that once we have all the necessary funds the construction of the trabe hub will not be finished over night. We expect the construction to take about 20 .

Our analysts have calculated that 2000 supers, 1500 hyperspace and 32000 and at least 15 are required."

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

"But minister, you are proposing this project like it is already settled, but so far I haven't seen a vote concerning such a big project. This is outrageous! You are completely sidestepping the entire democratic process here."

((OOC: By the way, this is no way meant as personal OOC commentary, just Lonco being Lonco ;).))

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Multiple factions have pledged their support for this project. We are not trying to rush things. If there is anything you still have questions about we would like to hear this to make sure no misunderstandings arise.

We plan to open a vote for the trade hub in the near future. When this vote is successful we will open the public tenders for the special goods."

[Nehket Aeka]

"Senator Lonco, I feel that your critical question is ill-defined."

"During the election campaign, we have been open and honest about our plans to make the Bozzy Spine trade hub a reality. The election process is democracy in its purest form: several ideas and plans are proposed, and the senate votes on the candidate they feel presents the best plans. In fact, promises made during the campaign are made binding by Union law.

During the electoral period, minsters are free to spend their contingency budget in any way they see fit. Never in the history of the Union has a vote been necessary for a minister to simply do their job. And, of course, member worlds are free to spend their money how they see fit. If they decide to generously donate it towards the construction of a trade hub that benefits the whole Union, I do not see how that would sidestep the democratic process.

Could you explain how the democratic process has been sidestepped?"

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Since it was silent for a while Ardios decided to break the silence. He stood up and spoke in a firm voice.

"I move for a motion of input for the creation of the trade hub in 12 -7."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"I am prepared to second the motion, as just put forward by Minister Eldrilith. I believe that the construction of a tradehub is beneficial to the Union. Especially if we eventually build more than one."

[Atheos]

"I too second the motion of input put forward by Senator Ardios Eldrilith. This trade hub can bring prosperity to the union and it needs the support of the senate."