Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to NationStates Texas Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Locked Topic
2nd Quarter 2010 - Articles, Amendments & Repeals; Texas Constitution
Topic Started: May 22 2010, 12:54 PM (539 Views)
NewTexas
Member Avatar
Governor
Admin
:tx Texas Constitution - New Articles, Amendments & Repeals :tx

May 22, 2010

Alright Texas! Here is your opportunity to propose new Articles to the Texas Constitution, or, to suggest Amendments to the Texas Constitution, or, to repeal previously passed Articles to the Texas Constitution. Whichever action you choose should clearly state reasons for your submission. New Articles should be written up in a manner similar to current Articles. Repeals should cite which Article is to be repealed and why. And, Amendments can be for any part, from a point or a phrase to the entire Article, please cite the portion you would like amended and the suggested new wording.

Please hurry! Texans will debate the merits of all proposed changes and should they be deemed worthy, will appear on the ballot on March 7th. There is only about a month to do this. Do not wait until the eleventh hour to post a surprise change. Those will not be placed on the ballot unless there is some mitigating circumstance.

The Constitution was written by Texans, for Texans - all Texans. This is your document and it is a living document that is up for change quarterly. Feel free to express your opinions on how it should be changed and the majority of Texas will vote on your suggestions provided there is some level of support in the discussion of the change prior to the current Election.

We strongly urge all Texans to consider taking part in helping mold Texas into the region they would like it to be. Feel free to post on this thread without fear of rebuke. All submissions will be considered.

:study

Thank you very much!

Big Tex
President of Texas
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crazy Hell for War
Member Avatar
Texas Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
Article X: Texas Representative Council
Texas shall freely elect a Regional Council.

1. The purpose of the Council shall include:

a. To mediate any internal disputes that may threaten Regional peace, security or prosperity.
b. To adjudicate any internal complaints and assist in formulating responses and courses of action in international affairs.
c. To preside in matters regarding breaches of the Texas Constitution.
d. To approve any Alliance approved by the Cabinet. If the vote of the full TRC is against the proposed alliance then the proposed alliance will be declined.

2. The make up of the Council shall include the Cabinet Members of Texas and enough freely elected citizens of Texas to bring the count of the body up to 10% of the population of Texas at the time of the nomination process.

3. Elections for new Council Members will be held quarterly.

4. The Council shall make no law, nor pass any bills to collect revenue or make expenditures, but only deliberate and vote on resolutions of good will, recognition, and celebration.

5. Any Council Member will be deemed to have forfeited their seat on the Council in any of the following cases:

a. The Council Member is ejected from the Region of Texas in accordance with the provisions of Article XI of the Texas Constitution.
b. The Council Member voluntarily moves out of the Region of Texas (for any reason other than military or diplomatic missions as approved by the Cabinet) and takes up residence in another region for a period of 5 consecutive days or a period of 10 days total out of any two-week period.





I repel this article.


The Council shall make no law, nor pass any bills
I disagree with this.


The council shall make law and pass bills Only with the approval of the majority of the Texas representation members and Members of Texas Cabinet. Which include the President.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crazy Hell for War
Member Avatar
Texas Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
Article XII: Texas Elections
Cabinet Members: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold elections for new Cabinet Members. The election process for Cabinet Members shall include a one week period for nominations, a one week period for campaigning followed by a one week period for voting. Nominations and voting shall be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of nominations.

Texas Constitution: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold a vote on Texas Constitutional matters. These include Amendments as well as new Articles. The voting process for the Texas Constitution shall include a one week period for additional Article submissions, a one week period for commenting and rewording, followed by a one week period for voting. New Articles may be submitted any time between voting sessions and will be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas (as of the date of submission). Voting will be limited to actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of the additional Article submission period.

Texas Representative Council: On a quarterly basis Texas shall hold elections for new members of the Texas Representative Council (per Article X Texas Representative Council). The election process for Representative Council shall include a one week period for nominations, a one week period for campaigning followed by a one week period for voting. Nominations and voting shall be open to all actively registered citizens of Texas as of the first day of nominations. Incumbents are not guaranteed their position and must be re-elected.

These individual electoral processes will run concurrently. Schedules will be maintained by the President of Texas and published publicly on the Regional Offsite Forum Calendar well in advance of any proceedings.

The elections will begin on the last Sunday of February, May, August and November of each year.







I repel this.. Election will only be held once every 4 years.





Quote:
 
Article XIII: The Basis of Power:
The position of President of Texas will be held by the Founder of Texas until such time as President steps down from that position, or until such time as a majority vote calls on the President to resign. In case of a resignation, the Presidency of Texas is transferred to the WA Delegate of Texas until a new President is elected.




I would like to add on. The president has the right to create law on its own but need to go through constitutional voting. With the Majority of the Cabinet and Texas Representation.



Quote:
 
Article XVIII: Automatic Nominations for TRC
All Nominated Nations for a Cabinet position are Automatically Nominated for the Texas Representative Council. Any nation standing for election to any cabinet level position in the Regional Government, whether incumbent or challenger, is automatically nominated to a seat on the TRC.


I repel the Automatic Nominations for TRC.



Quote:
 
Article XXIV: Cabinet Absences and Vacancies

1. If the position of Vice President is vacant / absent for any reason, then it will remain vacant/absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the role or responsibilities. If any secretary positions become vacant / absent for any reason, then they will remain vacant / absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the roles and responsibilities. There will be no succession or reshuffling of cabinet positions.

2. However, if there already is an appointed assistant for a secretary or commissioner position, than they will assume the role and responsibilities of that position, pending a regional vote (per Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants). Otherwise, no interim, temporary, acting, pro tempore, nor similar appointments will be allowed at any time by anyone.

3. If and only if a position is vacant / absent due to an expulsion (per Article XVII: Expulsion of Cabinet Members) and there is no appointed assistant (per Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants), then the vacancy shall be replace by means of a special election.



I repel the 1st one. If the position of the Vice-President remain vacant The president has the right to choose the Vice-President. This apply to Cabinet position who are Vacant.




Quote:
 
Article IX: The Neutrality Act
No nation may ever threaten another nation. No nation shall attack another nation unless there is an immediate threat. Texas has never been at war and hopes never to be at war. There is no glory in kill



This is article is a crime Against freedom and humanity and I request to be repel.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crazy Hell for War
Member Avatar
Texas Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
This is messy I would sum it up for you.

All nations are to form up to create a party in order to enter the Constitution. Those who enter without a party are called independent.

With this the President has to "share power" and allow to control the constitution for the members of Texas.

No matter what article the President approve whether it is War or Domestic affair it has to go though voting from a newly form Texas Congress

Texas Congress will be form to enable Texas Members to Vote and decided their fate for this region

Members of Texas have the right to vote for sanction against nation who go against the law of the Texas constitution.

The president has the right to choose the Vice-President. This apply to Cabinet position who are Vacant.

As for the Texas Representation who are vacant it will leave it to the party in the first section of this article.

When the Party announce dissolve due to some reason. The President has the right to choose Texas Representation.

As for the Texas Cabinet, the nation are allow to join the party. As this no make no change to the power of the Cabinet

The president of Texas including the Vice President are to remain independent and are not allow to join any party.

Members of Texas has to right to create law with the approval of Texas representation and the Cabinet members which include the President itself.

Texas election are only held once a year

In a year. There will be something called By-Election. Which mean to choose cabinet to be elected. It will happen 4 times. And The major Election which involve in every post will be held once.

Members of Texas has to right to appoint the head of the Texas Congress.
In order to maintain security and peace in the Congress



So whatever I post previously are Repel. And this one is a proposal.
In other words it mean that if one of the Repel fail it does not work on this proposal anymore.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Independent Planets
Member Avatar

Texas Representative Council
I would like to second everything CHW proposes.

Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NewTexas
Member Avatar
Governor
Admin
Posted Image

:cowsleep Holy Cow CHW! :cowsleep

:rolleyes:

By the way, all those are Amendments, versus Repels (aka Repeals)

:spin

We are probably going to have some questions as we try to translate them from CHW to an Amendment. We are not sure about some of these...

:bananadead

And you do know we are talking about the Region of Texas, right?

:aeh

So, you are proposing no more Elections until Second Quarter 2014? We can already say, we are not putting that on the ballot.

:no2 :no


PS: IP :whip
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
maryginia
Member Avatar
Texas Colonel
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Article XXIII: Texas Endorsement Rules
No Texas nation may have more than 66% of the number of nations endorsing it as the WA Delegate has endorsements. On the first offense, a nation that exceeds that number will be given 24 hours to correct it. Failing that, they will be asked to leave Texas for 24 hours to clear out their endorsements. Upon the completion of that time, they may return. If the nation refuses, they will be ejected. On the second offense, the nation will be ejected and banned from Texas.


This article should be repealed because limiting endorsements is limiting freedom. texans should be allowed to have as many endorsements as they want without fear of being ejected or banned.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
maryginia
Member Avatar
Texas Colonel
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Texas shall establish a National Anthem being She's like Texas. the link to the music video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yapf2QvFHfw
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Independent Planets
Member Avatar

Texas Representative Council
Problem, Big Tex? :p
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crazy Hell for War
Member Avatar
Texas Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Ok. I edited my post. This look make it look clearly now.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NewTexas
Member Avatar
Governor
Admin
Independent Planets,May 24 2010
12:01 AM
Problem, Big Tex? :p

Actually....


This is a ton of freaking work on somebody's part...

Since you are so supportive of our mutual buddy CHW, would you like to help him out by posting the current Article he is referring to and a proposed rewrite of the same article that will meet CHW's specifications?

And, yes, we are serious. Somebody has to do it. And we are looking for volunteers. You appear to be leading the list.

:diablo
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Independent Planets
Member Avatar

Texas Representative Council
Big Tex, I would LOVE to do this for you. :redheartface Just give me a bit and I will be all over it.



SUPA-EDIT: According to our translators, CHW would like to do the following:

- Amend Article X, Section 4 from reading:
Quote:
 
4. The Council shall make no law, nor pass any bills to collect revenue or make expenditures, but only deliberate and vote on resolutions of good will, recognition, and celebration.

to read:
Quote:
 
The council shall make law and pass bills only with the approval of the majority of the Texas Representative Council and members of the Texas Cabinet, including the President.


- Amend Article XII, replacing "on a quarterly basis" with "every four years."

- Amend Article XIII to include:
Quote:
 
The president may create laws, which must be approved by a majority of the Cabinet and Texas Representative Council.


- Amend Article XXIV, Section 1 from reading:
Quote:
 
1. If the position of Vice President is vacant / absent for any reason, then it will remain vacant/absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the role or responsibilities. If any secretary positions become vacant / absent for any reason, then they will remain vacant / absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the roles and responsibilities. There will be no succession or reshuffling of cabinet positions.

to read:
Quote:
 
If the position of Vice-President or any Cabinet member is vacant, the President has the right to choose a replacement.


- Repeal Article XVIII

- Repeal Article IX



Let me know if anything here is still unclear.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Richard
Member Avatar

Texan
Thanks for organizing all of the amendments IP!


Quote:
 

- Amend Article X, Section 4 from reading:
Quote:
 
4. The Council shall make no law, nor pass any bills to collect revenue or make expenditures, but only deliberate and vote on resolutions of good will, recognition, and celebration.

to read:
Quote:
 
The council shall make law and pass bills only with the approval of the majority of the Texas Representative Council and members of the Texas Cabinet, including the President.



Why not just remove/repeal it!


Quote:
 

- Amend Article XXIV, Section 1 from reading:
Quote:
 
1. If the position of Vice President is vacant / absent for any reason, then it will remain vacant/absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the role or responsibilities. If any secretary positions become vacant / absent for any reason, then they will remain vacant / absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the roles and responsibilities. There will be no succession or reshuffling of cabinet positions.

to read:
Quote:
 
If the position of Vice-President or any Cabinet member is vacant, the President has the right to choose a replacement.



The problem with this is that it is an elected position without cabinet assistants.
It would be better to remove Article XVII, Section 3, and amend Article XXIV: Section 3 so a special election could be held even if there was no expulsion. Though there are some more complications by removing this section. I'll try to work out some amendment for this one.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Richard
Member Avatar

Texan
These are my own three amendments.


*************************************************************
*************************************************************


Amend Article XXI
Quote:
 
Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants
All Texas Cabinet Members with the position of Secretary or Commissioner shall have the ability to appoint an assistant. In the event of the death or departure of the Secretary or Commissioner, then a Regional Vote of Confidence would take place immediately to approve the succession of the Assistant (should there be one). This election would take place as soon after the death or departure of the Secretary or Commissioner as possible and would last one week and consist of two options, Confidence and No Confidence. This Article shall not apply to the offices of the President or the Vice President.

to read…
Quote:
 
Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants
All Texas Cabinet Members shall have the ability to appoint an assistant. In the event of the death or departure of the Secretary or Commissioner, then a Regional Vote of Confidence would take place immediately to approve the succession of the Assistant (should there be one). This election would take place as soon after the death or departure of the Secretary or Commissioner as possible and would last one week and consist of two options, Confidence and No Confidence. This Article shall not apply to the office of the President.

Even if the Vice President is an executive position within the Cabinet, it is still an elected position and not an automatic position so they should be allowed to have cabinet assistants. It would be simpler if there was already a cabinet assistant, instead of holding a special election.


*************************************************************
*************************************************************


Amend Article XXIV: Sections 1
Quote:
 
Article XXIV: Cabinet Absences and Vacancies
1. If the position of Vice President is vacant / absent for any reason, then it will remain vacant/absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the role or responsibilities. If any secretary positions become vacant / absent for any reason, then they will remain vacant / absent and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the roles and responsibilities. There will be no succession or reshuffling of cabinet positions.

to read…
Quote:
 
Article XXIV: Cabinet Absences and Vacancies
1. If any secretary positions become vacant / absent for any reason, then they will remain vacant / absent, until a special election is held, and no other cabinet member will be allowed to assume the title, roles or responsibilities. There will be no succession or reshuffling of cabinet positions.

This particular article is to prevent other secretaries from assuming someone else’s title w/o their permission. And for simplicity

*************************************************************
*************************************************************


Remove Article XVII: Section 3 and combine it with Article XXIV, Section 3
Quote:
 
Article XXIV: Cabinet Absences and Vacancies
3. If and only if a position is vacant / absent due to an expulsion (per Article XVII: Expulsion of Cabinet Members) and there is no appointed assistant (per Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants), then the vacancy shall be replace by means of a special election.

So it reads
Quote:
 
Article XXIV: Cabinet Absences and Vacancies
3. If a position is vacant/absent and there is no appointed assistant (per Article XXI: Texas Cabinet Assistants), then the vacancy shall be replaced by means of a special election. Since this will be a special circumstance, voting will also be special. Instead of the standard 7 days for each of the 3 phases (per Article XII: Texas Elections) there will be a 3 day period for each phase.

The reason is to allow for special elections (unless there's a cabinet assistant) for any type of vacancy and not just for expulsions. And for simplicity as well.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Crazy Hell for War
Member Avatar
Texas Statesman
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
whatever it is. I want at least 4 article to be repel.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Greenspoint
Member Avatar
Big Tex called me a "Goofball" :)
Texan
I would like to propose an amendment to
Quote:
 
Article XI: Conditions for Ejection

2.  Known members of invader groups may be ejected. Texas will not harbor invader groups nor condone such activity.

adding the following sentence:

Any nation arriving from a known invader region is subject to summary and instant banning from Texas.
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NewTexas
Member Avatar
Governor
Admin
Thirteen Constitutional actions in a Quarter was really excessive gang!

Quote:
 
Texas Constitution: Article IX Repeal 
Texas Constitution: Article X Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article X Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XI Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XIII Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XVII Amendment
Texas Constitution: Article XVIII Repeal 
Texas Constitution: Article XXI Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XXIII Repeal 
Texas Constitution: Article XXIV Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XXIV Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XXIV Amendment 
Texas Constitution: Article XXVI New Article



The Texas Election Commission would appreciate less work in the future.

:angel

Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
NewTexas
Member Avatar
Governor
Admin
Closed
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Texas Constitution · Next Topic »
Locked Topic