The Senate Rotunda

[Anya Halycon]

The Galactic Alliance Senate is the ruling body of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. The Alliance Senate simply elects and has oversight of the Chief of State, but it has little to say in the actual executive branch it's role was confined to simply legislative. Also, there is an independent judiciary, which was intended to keep some of the more corrupt members of the Senate in line.

Current Senators:

Leto Michelo - New Carida
Aurellian Makilles - Naboo
Karrebakka - Kashyyyk
Rosalba Jensjulia - Onderon
Mirembe Razvan - Taris
Nien Ningo - Sullust
Madak Keegle - Duro
Nef Elgen - Bimmisaari
Senator Kolbath Fraan - Galantos
Senator Kai'ar Ops'nyzh - Bothan Space

Current Bill in Discussion

A new proposal that would increase taxes on any goods imported into Alliance controlled worlds from outside the GA. The increase is meant to stimulate the Galactic economy, encouraging trade within the Alliance, and strengthening GA businesses, particularly smaller ventures that find it hard to compete with large scale non-Alliance corporations.

[COS Aurelian Makilles]

The Chief of State addressed the Senate with a new proposal that would increase taxes on any goods imported into Alliance controlled worlds from outside the GA. The increase is meant to stimulate the Galactic economy, encouraging trade within the Alliance, and strengthening GA businesses, particularly smaller ventures that find it hard to compete with large scale non-Alliance corporations.

[Leto Michelo]

Leto sat immersed in his own thoughts as the Chief of State proposed her new bill, outwardly of course it was worded in such a way to sound like a damn good idea, when you peeked under the pretty words however it was easy to see this bill exactly for what it was.

Twirling his stylus between fingers Leto leaned back in his seat, seemingly unconcerned with the proposition. All around him other senators were furiously speaking with their aides, droids and other companions. no doubt many of them were also messaging one another. Before anyone had the chance to contact him however...and attempt to way them to his side Leto stood and motioned for acknowledgement.

"The house recognizes Leto Mechelo, noble senator from New Carida" Came the drone of the house droid and Leto nodded his thanks.

"Esteemed colleague's , let New Carida be the first to speak in support of this bill. We have long been a planet over looked and battered down by such out of system corporations, it will be nice for once to see enrichment in our own economical structure - rather then lining the coffers of other governments."

With a nod Leto sat back down - his announcement met with both stunned silence from those in opposition - something that wouldn't last long, and shouts and clapping from those who agreed with him, Leto himself kept an unconcerned look upon his face although inwardly he only hoped he had made the right choice.

[Nien Ningo]

Nien stood in open gape-mouthed disbelief as Michelo - the Senator from New Carida voiced his support of the bill. The Silence which engulfed him lasted only a few moments before he was leaping to his feet and pointing accusingly at Leto before shouting in a fury.

"The Senator from New Carida is mistaken!, this Bill will do nothing but drive prices for both common and luxury items to all new highs. It sounds pretty yes..but underneath it is rot that will eat at our markets like a Gammorean skin disease."

[Leto Michelo]

Leto cast a look upon the Sullustan who had spoken, Nien he thought his name was and although his voice was nearly drowned out amidst the answering roars - both for approval and disapproval Leto knew the majority of his message had come across.

"Oh and do your native companies plan on price gouging the public Mr. Ningo?' Leto responded in a sarcastic voice after keying his amplifier to ensure his jab was heard. "Perhaps we ought to look into that, I'm sure our esteemed Chief of State can make an amendment" he continued with rolled eyes and slight disgust.

[Nien Ningo]

Nien sputtered with anger as Leto's jeers caused an answering snicker from several others. "Of course not!" he protested "The Senator from Carida goes to far - in daring to accuse such a thing, Sullust has always been a firm supporter of fair corporate regulations!"

Nien wasn't sure how much of his argument had gotten through however as the remainder of the senate had erupted into chaos at this point - the house droid was furiously attempting to regain control, but for the most part was being ignored.

[Leto Michelo]

Leto out a hand to his mouth and mouthed behind it to the senator sitting to his right "Me thinks the senator from Sullust doth protest to much". His silent jab had the desired effect and the senator snickered, passing on the comments to those surrounding him.

[Madak Keegle]

Madak turned a wary glance upon the New Carida senator, and an alarmed on towards Nien before turning to his droid aide. "F4..can you inquire about a meeting between myself and the senator from Sullust, I think we may have comparable opinions regarding this manner"

The droid nodded slightly and Madak turned his attention back to the Senate which was still engulfed in madness. He knew it would be useless to display his displeasure at this point - no one would realyl hear it and in any case nothing would be decided today, there was still time and a meeting with those who might agree with him and would be more profitable in the long run.

[Nef Elgen]

For the Bimms, the uproar in the senate building was far too much, and the three creatures that stood in the booth Shook their fists and yelled protests of their own concerning the Bill.
Taxes, Bimms hated Taxes, Their own planet Tax free other then the Galactic Alliance Taxes. Bimmisaari worked on a charity system, and for the past 200 years it had worked. You gave if you wanted to give to what ever organization you wanted to give it too. And those groups could give off whatever they wanted after reaching their quota.
Greed, money, warfare, these weren't the ways of the Bimms. Peace happiness and a Good story by a war fire after a big meal, that's how they liked it.

So while his three companions shouted out against the bill Nef Elgen, a furry Bimm, sat in the back scratching his mussel, technically the others were just his assistants and really shouldn't be shouting, but they were Skin-Bimms, Bimms that weren't furry. He had nothing against them, they were just much louder then he was.

He was the Senator though, and should see to them, snorting quietly he tosses three small round fruits, getting each of his companions attention, and made a cutting motion with his four fingered hand. They sat down, their cheeks bright red from shouting.
Standing he went to his amplifier, cleared his throat and pressed the button.

I agree that this bill will only raise prices of our luxury items! And of our essentials! Many of the planets close enough to some home systems are not part of the Galactic Alliance! We cannot always afford to trade with further systems with the same materials, and if there is a new higher tax, the closer, not GA system will not want to trade with US!

[Senator Korbath Fraan]

The senator from Galantos sighed silently. These outburst would be unheard of among his own Galantos Guard as would a 'request' for more military assets. After tapping away at his datapad and looking up the newest GNN broadcast, he stood and asked to be recognized by the chair. Once he was given his time to speak he proceed with his own argument gesturing with hands and arms rather wildly at more important points.

"Senators. In my home on Galantos, before I came to the senate, I served my world first as a member of the Galantos Guard. In our military - any military - it is a requirement that the inferior does not contridict or question the superior. If we can not have an active and powerful Defense fleet then why have one at all? It comes to this: Are we the galactic superpower we are proclaimed to be, or are we a large collection or worlds that meet together to argue and wait to be preyed upon by a real power?"

He patched his datapad to the main screen so everyone could see what was displayed. It was the GNN story he had been watching earlier."Please senators take a minute to watch this and listen to what is said."

The camera feed switches to a middle-aged Corellian wearing a black suit and red tie, looking across his dark mahogany desk at the reporter, who is sitting offscreen. A caption identifies the man as Bruno Farfallas, Chief of the International Trade Division of CMITI.

"This sort of proposal would normally have the effect that Corellian companies would pass on the extra cost of trade tariffs to customers in the Galactic Alliance. However, with the recent acquisition of KDY and the New Automation Program (NAP) pioneered by the Corellian Engineering Corp...

Senator Fraan paused the feed for a moment. "For those of you who were unaware our own domestic company KDY has merged with the foreign CEC which also must be taken into account when considering this bill, as we decide exactly what is foreign and what is domestic for taxation purposes." He restarted the feed skipping over a portion to change the effect of what was said.

"...CoS Makilles' proposal will only have the effect that prices for Corellian products return to their pre-KDY, pre-NAP levels."

"You see senators that by foreign companies themselves it will not have a large impact on out incoming trade but will greatly help our own home grown corporations, which incidentally would in turn pay the government in more taxes based on the higher income and pay the people of the Galactic Alliance in the form of more jobs from exspansion."

[Nien Ningo]

Nien turned a confused glance towards the Galantos senator before conferring with his aide for a few moments. By the time he rose to speak the house droid had managed to regain some order.

"I do believe the senator from Galantos is mistaken - while KDY was indeed once a part of the Galactic Alliance it was bought out quite some time ago and controlled by a notorious warmonger. I think it is quite safe to assume products imported from KDY-CEC as it is now known are indeed foreign products. But that is merely a side point to his statements.."

Nien turned to look upon Senator Korbath Fran.

"It is my understanding that this Bill is about an applied Tax to all goods imported from non-alliance systems...no where in the proposed Bill do I seem mention of our Defense Fleet..or the threat of an implied attack" Nien riffled through his datapad to make a point before glancing up again.

"Or perhaps the Senator has inside information about such a thing he would like to share?"

[Madak Keegle]

'indeed we are hardly here to discuss the need for a larger Fleet" Chimed in Madak with a spot of scorn in his voice "but on a Bill which will hamper not the most successful of our worlds - but those among us who need the most help, those of us who already live on the fringes of Galactic space and who will bear the burden of not only the increased cost of shipped goods but also the increased ire of our neighboring governments."

Madak looked meaningfully at his fellow senators - particularly those who worlds existed in close proximity to other government systems.

"And your argument against this rise in price is invalid - the success of the Corellian system can hardly be seen as the rule, they are if anything the exception to said rule. Other Governments and systems will be forced to raise thier prices..and the lack of outside competition will spell the death of the free market and give rise to a level of corporate price gouging we can scarcely begin to imagine"

[Senator Korbath Fraan]

Senator Fraan silently cursed himself but kept an impassive face when he heard mention of his mistake and then verified it by rereading the bill himself. "Oh well its done, now, but how can I recover it?" he asked himself. He then responded to the Senator Ningo's quiet accusations. He had sat when he had finished speaking earlier and thus nearly jumped to his feet as he began, "Inside information? This is my inside information: With our economy failing as it is, our enlistment for Defense Forces has skyrocketed. It provides our citizens with a stable recession-free income in addition to the other benefits. My point in bringing it up, which I concede I did not explain, is that the income drawn from this bill must be used for the people. For example paying our Defense Force which I believe not only should have a larger budget in any case but now needs one to accomodate the surge in enlistment."

He turned to Mr. Keegle, "As for being an exception or a rule I abstain from calling it either. I have merely shown the most recent economic report from beyond our borders. As you brought up earlier we have many planets in our government that can help fill any needs that are create by a rise in cost of foriegn material. For example you brought up the planet Sullust," he threw in arm toward the planet's representative, "I'm sure there are companies there that would be glad to assist with out this price gouge you fear."

He ended his comments by smiling in the direction of the Sullustan while he once more seated himself. That one would need to be watched. Hopefully by seeming to be an ally of the the sullustans own companies he would be able to curry favor in return. "After all the chromite mined on Galantos did need to be shipped elsewhere in the galaxy." he thought.

[Senator Kai'ar Ops'nyzh]

Sentator Ops'nyzh sat silently throughout the exchanges. He did not want to voice anything his opinion or other wise unitl he had felt the room out for their reaction to the bill's proposal. He was realively new to the senate after his predecessor's forced retirement after the 'ministrations' of Kai'ar's own Bothan Spynet unit.

After listening to the various opinion that he had heard he was leaning toward supporting the bill but was not going to speak either way. He agreed that the bill would raise prices on desired luxury items, but also agreed that there would be a beneficial change on the domestic economy. He was also intrigued by the idea of the moneies earned being used toward the Defense Fleet but had little emotion in that regard. More emotion were devoted to his ambitions, including is immediate desire to get into one of the senate's influencial commitees.

[Leto Michelo]

Leto sat with steepled fingers as he listened to the arguments flying back and forth across the Senate Rotunda. The Senate seemed to be almost evenly split at the moment...with some firmly against and others firmly for.

He had to raise his eyebrows slightly as the subject of the defense fleet came up, but then it wasn't very surprising he supposed - those in favor of such things would of course clutch at every opportunity t expand it. Leto would leave his opinions on such things as the fleet for a later time and in a lull rose and motioned to the house droid for recognition, once it was given he spoke.

"I think perhaps we are getting off topic and suggest we return to debating the pros and cons of the proposed bill rather then the Defense Fleet - which is a different subject entirely and should be discussed on its own...and not as a sideline to a tax proposition"