Discussion: Reducing the Size of the Senate

[Gulliver]

The Senate right now has 7 members, the default. Right now I don't think the region is big enough to field enough candidates to fill all these seats, so I think we should pass a law setting the Senate's size at either 3 or 5 until we get the region to grow. 3 would be safer in ensuring that every seat is filled, but might be a bit too small. What are other people's thoughts on this?

[Eluvatar]

I think 3 would be better as it would free people up for Executive activity.

The big problem when we first started was separation of powers with EVERYBODY in the Senate >_<

[Sovereign Dixie]

I say 5, honestly now that I think about it. Flexibility is good. If we have it at 5, use three, well the world won't end. That would save us the time from having to re vote to make it 5 in a few weeks when we have the people to support it.

[Gulliver]

Well, if we have 5 and all 5 do end up filled, then as Elu pointed out that might create staffing issues for the executive. And revoting to change it shouldn't take long at all, it could take only three or four days. I'm starting to lean towards 3 to be safe.

[Sovereign Dixie]

fair enough, but one can be in senate and exec right? as long as you're not the leader of said branch, correct?

[Gulliver]

I think one might be able to serve as a Deputy Minister while a Senator? It's a bit vague and never been brought to court, though I don't think anyone would.

[Eluvatar]

One cannot be a Minister and a Senator.

How about we make a flexible bill?

Based on the number of citizens:

Less than 60: 1 Justice, 3 Senators.
60 to 79: 3 Justices, 3 Senators.
80 to 99: 3 Justices, 5 Senators.
100 or more: 3 Justices, 7 Senators (the Constitution's default).

[Gulliver]

That actually wouldn't be a bad idea. Let me work that through and get back to you.

[Gulliver]

Well, I've thought about it, and the question I guess that's important is how many senators and justices we want on average per citizen. Then we could have a simple formula like:

1. The Senate will consist of at least three senators. Two senators will be added to its membership for every thirty registered citizens beyond the first forty-five, up to a maximum membership of eleven senators.

2. The Court will consist of at least one justice. Two justices will be added to its member for every sixty registered citizens beyond the first thirty, up to a maximum membership of five justices.

[Sovereign Dixie]

I like it.