Fl. Galerius Aurelianus Omnibus sal.
 
Subject: Official Results of July Senate Meeting
 
Tribunus Plebis Flavius Galerius Aurelianus Quiritibus SPD
 
Salvete citizens of Nova Roma!
 
The Senate has finished its latest session and the votes have been tallied as follows:
 
The contio (after being continued) ended at sunset in Rome (17.00 hrs CET) on 13 Jul. 2762.  Voting began on the Agenda at the second hour at 06.45 hrs CET on 14 Jul. 2762 and concluded at 17.00 hrs CET on 18 Jul. 2762.
 
The following (XXV) senators cast votes in time, and referred to below by the initials:
 
MCC-M. Curiatius Complutensis
MIS-M. Iulius Severus
MMPH-M. Moravius Piscinus Horatianus
CCS-C. Curius Saturninus
CFBQ-Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus
TIS-Titus Iulius Sabinus
PUSV-P. Ullerius Stephanus Venator
FGA-Flavius Galerius Aurelianus
GEC-Gaius Equitius Cato
MLA-Marcus Lucretius Agricola
MIP-Marcus Iulius Perusianus
PMA-Publius Memmius Albucius
QSP-Quintus Suetonius Paulinus
GEM-Gnaeus Equitius Marinus
TGP-Tiberius Galerius Paulinus
LCSF-Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
MHM-Marca Hortensia Maior
QFM-Quintus Fabius Maximus
ATS-A. Tullia Scholastica
DIP-Decius Iunius Palladius Invi ctus
GVA-Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa
CFBM-Caeso Fabius Buteo Modianus
GIC-Gnaeus Iulius Caesar
CFD-Caius Flavius Diocletianus
EIL-Equestria Iunia Laeca

The following Senator did not cast a vote but his absence has been adequately explained in line with the Senatus Consultum defining a quorum and the LEX OCTAVIA  DE SENATORIBUS:
MMA-M. Minucius Audens
 
The following Senators did not cast a vote, and their absence was not announced or justified in line with the Senatus Consultum defining a quorum and the LEX OCTAVIA DE SENATORIBUS:
ATMC-A. Tullius Marcellus Cato [Tribune's Note: announced his resignation from the Senate when the voting ended.]
ECF- Em Curia Finnica
AMA-Am. Moravia Aurelia
FAC-Fr. Apulus Caesar
MAM-M. Arminius Maior
GMM-C. Marius Merullus
 
"VTI ROGAS" indicates a vote in favor of an item,
"ANTIQVO" is a vote against,
"ABSTINEO" is an open abstention
 
RELATIO
 
Quod bonum felixque sit populo Romano Quiritium, referimos ad vos, Patres et Matres conscriptos:

Item I:  Presentation of the report of the consular Quaestores on the MMP.
 
The Senate authorizes spending of up to $1,000 [USD] to conduct the necessary consultations with a lawyer?
 
ITEM I FAILS:  XX ANTIQVO * I VTI ROGAS * II ABSTINEO
 
MCC: ANTIQVO. This expense is unnecessary.
 
MIS:  ANTIQVO.  I also believe this expense to be unnecessary.
 
MMPH: ANTIQVO. I'd like to know first what a consultation would cost before approving some arbitrarily selected amount.
 
CCS:  ANTIQVO. The report of quaestores showed what we all knew already: there is nothing wrong. Except, of course, that we have an incompetent Curule Aedile who has affected serious problem for NR by his panic actions.                                                                                             
CFBQ:  ANTIQVO.  The report has shown that there is no seriously wrong and that those things that might cause some questions are easily corrected by administrative measures.
 
TIS:  ANTIQVO.
 
PUSV:  ANTIQVO. The report on the MMP was presented as an incomplete accomplishment. It was supposed to have included information gathered before presentation, about a legal consult. I cannot approve an ex post facto fix. Nova Roma's involvement with the MMP is broken and we must extricate ourselves.
 
FGA:  VTI ROGAS.  
 
GEC:  ANTIQVO. They were already instructed to seek counsel by this House and they did not. They should be given one month to comply with the orders of this House.
 
MLA:  ANTIQVO.
 
MIP:  AN TIQVO.
 
PMA:  ABSTINEO For the following formal points: 1/last a.d. III Kal Maias, I cast an "antiquo" vote on the need of an investigation on the MMP state of affairs. I still believe that there is no need for such inquiry; 2/the item voted in the April-May session had authorized the consular quaestores "to obtain legal advice from a qualified lawyer in the United States". The question of principle is no longer asked but the question of how much would be necessary for such a legal consultation which falls in the senate's field; [Tribune's Note: PMA did not put a 3/];  4/a normal way would have been to request the Curia, in the eve of the year, to open a budget chapter for consular expenses, included consultations, and, according to the possible estimates asked to attorneys, to check whether this chapter is enough or not, and then ask the senate to re-adjust it.  In the current situation, and regarding the previous steps of this matter, the senate would save time if It were given an estimate of such a legal consultation.
 
QSP:  ANTIQVO. I agree with Senator Cato on this.
 
GEM: ANTIQVO.
 
TGP:  ANTIQVO.  I have to agree with Senator Palladius. The new Item one does nothing but muddy the water. The report of the consular Quaestor did not fulfill the mandate of this house. They were already supposed to engage an attorney and then report. If taking to a lawyer costs $1000 then should have so informed the Consuls and the issue co uld have been addressed before they issued the report.  This report is not finished.
 
LCSF:  ANTIQVO.  Another glaring example of the examples waving their imperium sticks and changing an agenda item mid-stream.  We already have a senatus consulta stating an attorney in the US was supposed to be consulted.  If Nova Roma was run like any not for profit corporation - the consuls would be fired for incompetence, breach of duty and being a poster child for the peter principle.  Unfortunately, NR is not run like a not for profit corporation and instead we have another in the long list of mistakes, blunders and corporate mismanagement added to the growing list.  If Donald Trump had a say in how Nova Roma's administrators - he would be uttering his phrase "You're FIRED" to the Consuls.
 
MHM:  ANTIQVO.  The curule aedile created another brouha-ha over nothing. I won't waste the taxpayers' money on expensive legal advice. We have a fiscal duty to our tax-paying citizens and can spend NR's funds in positive ways to benefit everyone.
 
QFM:  ANTIQVO.  Senator Iunius Palladius has summed this up succinctly. This new Item confuses the issue.   The report I read by the Consul/Quaestor did not meet the SC qualifications as stated.  They were to use an outside US attorney's advice and then issue a report. If a lawyer costs $1000 then they should have informed this to the Senate and the Consuls and the money be issued, advice sought and20then the report issued.
 
ATS:  ABSTINEO.
 
DIP:  ANTIQVO.  This report is incomplete, I do not accept it. The Senate *already* directed the consules and their quaestores to seek legal advice. Do it and then submit a bill to us. This article changes nothing except confuse things. The Senate still expects that legal advice you were directed to get.  Submit a bill to the senate when you are done.                                                                                                                                                      
GVA:  ANTIQVO.
 
CFBM:  ANTIQVO.  We have at least two former lawyers in the senate.  I see no reason for an external consultation.  I am unconcerned with the incessant "cry wolf" of a few senatores.                          
GIC:  ANTIQVO.  The report is incomplete and the previous Senatus=2 0Consultum is clear regarding the direction for legal advice.         
 
CFD:  ANTQVO.  Why should we set such a limit? Just stop when the $ 1000 are spent? Such a limit is senseless an might cause unnecessary confusion.                                                                               
EIL:  ANTIQVO. What is this amount based on? Have attorneys been contacted for estimates? Legal consultation for this matter should not cost this much. Many U.S. nonprofit attorneys charge nonprofits around $175 USD per hour. The consular quaestores supply the attorney with all the facts and support for, and against, the claims. Make sure they have all relevant links, files, concise explanations, etc. at the start to ensure that we pay for the shortest amount of time possible. They will charge for every minute of follow-up or weeding through nonessential information. The attorneys' expensive time should be spent reviewing the claims, doing independent research, and submitting a professional opinion.  
Also make sure they are aware that this is an internal investigation only and not prompted by a donor or outside agency. And, that we are a small nonprofit with extremely low revenues. Some attorneys are amenable to providing their services at a reduced rate in certain cases from time to time, or to get our business, may cap the time they will charge to just one or two hours even if the effort takes them a little longer.
 
 
Item II: Approval of the Budget for the Conventus Novae Romae Europa in Gallia and for the Conventus Novae Romae in the US in accordance with the decision of the Senatorial Committee.
 
II.1 The Senate authorizes spending up to $15 per attendee in accordance with the recommendations of the Senate Budget Committee?
 
ITEM II.1 FAILS:  XII ANTIQVO * XII VTI ROGAS * I ABSTINEO
 
MCC: ANTIQVO.                                                         
 
MIS:  VTI ROGAS.
 
MMPH: [ANTIQVO] While I appreciate the Committee's recommendation and the reasoning behind it, I don't think it goes far enough to contribute a fair portion for such events that benefit all of Nova Roma.
 
CCS:  ANTIQVO.  I see no reason to change our current procedure to this.
 
CFBQ:  ANTIQVO.  I became a member of the Committee too late to take part in a serious discussion, but I don't want to agree to a sum which could grow too much.
 
TIS:  ANTIQVO.
 
PUSV:  ITA [VTI ROGAS]. This seems a very reasonable amount, the central treasury returning a full tax payment per attendee. Not a big reimbursement in light of current costs, but manageable in light of the organization's finances at present.
 
FGA:  ANTIQVO.
 
GAC:  VTI ROGAS.
 
MLA:  VTI ROGAS.
 
MIP:  ANTIQVO.
 
PMA:  ABSTINEO.  For the following formal reasons: 1/this question is no more relevant, for Gallia has officially informed the senate that it would not be able to organize the conventus Europaeus; 2/ the senate committees do not take decisions: the plenary senate does. The committees are to bring reports and proposals;  3/on the matter this conventus matter is significative of what we senators consider as important or not for Nova Roma. The conventus is, imho, one of the very few effective and working actions that our republic have created. A conventus is invaluable in terms of human relations between us. We should show the major interest that such events represent for Nova Roma, being ready to support them by a major financial input.  Once again, I cannot but regret that we take the question from the wrong side, here, `hiding ourselves' behind the argument of budget capacities just because we have not anticipated to spend a higher sum for the conventus.For the future, the Patres must be conscious that a conventus in the ancient Roman Empire area costs more than a conventus outside, just because of the visits on sites and the t ravels they need.n this view, the amounts proposed by the Budget Committee look totally out of phase with reality, or reflecting a will to lower the participation of NR central treasury on the `benefit' of the provinces or of external fundings. Such a policy would be imho an error: the Republic will be able to be sure keeping the control on such events as long as It will be able to be a significant granter.
 
QSP: VTI ROGAS.
 
GEM:  VTI ROGAS.
 
TGP:  VTI ROGAS.  We have committees to discuss these types of items. The $300 amount was never discussed and should not be before this house.  Two members took the time to vote and a few others took the time to discuss the issues.  Why bother to do either if our recommendations are to be augmented by someone else choice.

LCSF: VTI ROGAS.  I vote yes to both items.

MHM:  ANTIQVO.

QFM:  VTI ROGAS.  $15.00 USD pp is more than fair. However, it appears that the committee concept is breaking down.  Perhaps we should rethink this committee.  Do we really need it, if people bypass it?

ATS:  ANTIQVO.  This is really a very token amount, and one I think should depend on local conditions, such as the cost of living in a given area where the Conventus is to be held.
 
DIP:  ANTIQVO.

GVA:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBM:  ANTIQVO.  My apologies to the Senate Budget Committee for not voicing my opinion within the co mmittee in a timely manner but  I am of the opinion that events can and should be fundraisers and should be self-sufficent.  I believe there must ALWAYS be a strong religio element to ANY Nova Roma event--provincial or state level.  Without that guarantee of a strong religio element to any event I am non-committal about financing them, and as I just mentioned I think events should be fund raisers and not financial liabilities.

GIC:  VTI ROGAS.

CFD:  ANTIQVO.

EIL:  VTI ROGAS.  Though with reservations since the two conventi are in the same item, and since conventus Gallia is only for this year. I agree with this amount for the US conventus, but not for the Europa conventus. The tax rate for the European provinces is much lower in many cases than the US rates. Furthermore, most of the European provinces either retain or ask to have returned 50% of their provincial revenues.  Whereas in the US, only one province retains half its taxes. Paying this amount for the European conventus could feasibly mean that only a fraction, if any, of their tax revenues goes towards Nova Roma's operating expenses, and nothing towards allocations. This cannot be sustained in the future as continuing this practice could lead to the European provinces as having a negative financial affect on this organization.  I also agree with Senator Modianus that conventi should be used for fundraising, or at a minimum, ask attendees to put in a donation to cover some of the cost. It20should also be used as an opportunity to bring in new citizens (and future revenues). Alternatively, we could hold fundraisers for the purpose of funding conventi, set up a conventi fund, ask for citizen donations, sponsors, or considerably raise our tax rates for certain provinces to offset the costs.

II.2 or the Senate autohorizes to grant no more than $ 300 per each Conventus?

ITEM II.2  FAILS:  XII ANTIQVO * X VTI ROGAS * III ABSTINEO
 
MCC: VTI ROGAS.

MIS:  ANTIQVO.

MMPH: ADSENTIOR VTI ROGAS. This amount, too, is not very realistic if compared to the cost of running a Conventus. It certainly is not if we wish our Conventus to one day attract others whom we might then be able to recruit as Citizens. But with our current financial assets to is a reasonable amount, if only a token amount.

CCS:  VTI ROGAS. The sum is in line with our financial capabilities and gives a good amount of money to cover running costs.

CFBQ: VTI ROGAS.  My Aedilian Cohors and I organized the first Conventus in Europe without any economical support although the organizers lived in Scandinavia and the Conventus was held in Belgium, with a last minute local assistance. With that experience this sum should be able to give a contribution and the treasury be able to handle this sum and above all it can't grow.
 
TIS: ABSTINEO.

PUSV:  ANTIQVO. If a Conventus is successful and draws 100 Nova Romans, the benefit should be US $1500.00. If it is less successful and draws only 10, then US $150.00.
 
FGA: VTI ROGAS.

GEC: ANTIQVO.

MLA:  ANTIQVO.

MIP:  ABSTINEO.

PMA:  ABSTINEO [Tribune's Note:  PMA did not specify which portion of Item II he abstained from; so I am making the presumption that he meant both].

QSP:  ANTIQVO. They are few and far between and we could do a little better than that.
 
GEM:  ANTIQVO.

TGP:  ANTIQVO on $300.

LCSF:  VTI ROGAS.

MHM:  VTI ROGAS.  A Conventus will be the fulcrum to take NR off the net and into reality. We need to spend the funds proportionate to our budget.  But we also will need an itemized list of expenses from organizers to do this effectively.

QFM:  ANTIQVO on $300.

ATS:  ANTIQVO.  Again, a fixed amount is not viable as the need will depend on conditions at the time and place selected. This would perhaps be better as a minimum amount, but not a maximum one.  Secondly, as has been noted, the Conventus in Gallia has unfortunately been cancelled, so this is somewhat moot for such purposes this year.   I do support grants for these purposes; the Conventús (fourth declension plural, with a long final u) are wonderful opportunities for us to meet one another, and endeavors worthy of our support.  The number of attendees at any Conventus will depend on a number of factors quite beyond the control of the organizers , so I deem it unfair to penalize them for such things as fluctuation in the world or national economy/ies or inability to get vacation time, etc. Some costs related to a Conventus are fixed; if one has 30 people on a bus to some site or one has three, the cost is the same unless the trip is cancelled (and then there might be a cancellation fee).  Expecting a hundred people at a Conventus is pure fiction when we cannot even get half a dozen to attend a dinner meeting held in an area which has a large number of citizens.
 
DIP:  VTI ROGAS.

GVA: VTI ROGAS.

CFBM:  ANTIQVO.

GIC: ANTIQVO.

CFD:  VTI ROGAS.

EIL:  ANTIQVO.
 
Item III:  Approval of the Lex Curiatia Iulia de institutis publicis religiosis passed by the Comitia Centuriata.
 
By this Lex Curiatia Iulia de institutis publicis religiosis the Constitution, Article VI, on Public Religious Institutions, is hereby replaced by the following Article VI.
 
A. The Religio Romana, defined as the traditional worship of the Gods and Goddesses of Rome, shall be the official religion of Nova Roma.
B. The sacerdotal responsibilities for the State Religion of Nova Roma shall be invested primarily into the Collegium Pontificum and the Collegium Augurum.
1. The Collegium Pontificum shall consist of the Rex and Regina Sacrorum, the Flamens, Flaminicas, Pontifices, and the Sacerdotes Vestales, co-opted by the Collegium Pontificum itself, under its own governing rules. The Collegium Pontificum shall be responsible for the conduct and administration of all public religious ceremonies other than those rites assigned to the Augurs. To that purpose, the Collegium Pontificum may create sacerdotal offices, sodalitates, and collegia.
2. The Collegium Augurum shall consist of all public Augurs who are co-opted by the Collegium Augurum itself, under its own governing rules. The individual members of the Collegium Augurum shall be responsible for instructing and advising curule magistrates on performing auspicia on behalf of Nova Roma. In other religious ceremonies the Augures shall perform their traditional responsibilities. The Collegium Augurum may create sacerdotal offices and sodalitates that are specifically related to the conduct and administration of its responsibilities.
C. Additional sacerdotal collegia may be instituted and their rules set by the Collegium Pontificum, with the approval of the Comitia Centuriata.
 
ITEM III FAILS (because it did not receive the vote of 2/3 of the entire Senate necessary for any amendment of the NR Constitution):

VII ANTIQVO * XIIII VTI ROGAS * IIII ABSTINEO.  
 
MCC:  VTI ROGAS.

MIS:  VTI ROGAS.

MMPH: ADSENTIOR VTI ROGAS. This measure was approved by members of the Collegium Pontificum. It is a necessary amendment that eliminates an ahistorical, hierarchial
structure of our religious institutions and will allow the Summa Quattuor Collegia to develop into an historical form. The Collegium Pontificum20asked for this amendment in order that it be able to carry out the reforms asked of it. This was understood by the Quirites and thus was it approved by the Comitia Centuriata. This Senate ought now to ratify what is a necessary change.

CCS:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBQ:  VTI ROGAS.

TIS:  VTI ROGAS.

PUSV:  ANTIQVO.  Upon further reflection, I would like to see this law rewritten in simpler terms, with definitions of just what "traditional" practices are. Though I am familiar with the Religio, Nova et Antiqua, as an outsider I'd like to know better what I have bound myself to safeguard.

FGA:  VTI ROGAS.

GEC:  ANTIQVO. I state again my objections:  "...defined as the traditional ... 1. The Collegium Pontificum shall consist of the Rex and Regina Sacrorum, the Flamens, Flaminicas, Pontifices, and the Sacerdotes Vestales, co-opted by the Collegium Pontificum itself, under its own governing rules."  (A) The insertion of the words "defined as the traditional" is unnecessary and not terribly useful until we have in written form a precise description of what the "traditional" worship actually consists of. In referring to "the worship of the Gods and goddesses of ancient Rome", the Constitution already makes it clear Who is being worshiped. By inserting the word "traditional" you are assuming a body of information (the description of this "traditional" worship) that does not currently exist in our Respublica. This is an amendment to the Constitution, not s imply a law, so every time we seek to change the wording it should be either as broad as possible or as specific as possible. This is neither, and so serves no useful purpose.  (B) Legally the word "shall" implies an imperative; we do not have a Rex and Regina Sacrorum, so adopting this as it stands would mean that we cannot actually have a Collegium Pontificum until such time as we do have a Rex and Regina Sacrorum. I would suggest amending it to something like "shall contain such priestly offices as flamens, pontifices, and the sacerdotes Vestales; other priestly offices may be added as deemed appropriate by adoption of a decretum issued by the Collegium Pontificum."  "Shall" is used to denote a condition precedent. The existence of a condition precedent means that a person, action, or other thing is required to comply with a stated condition as a prerequisite to having full legitimacy. The condition may be stated in a variety of ways, but typically the condition requires the person, action, or other thing to:  (1) meet certain stated conditions;  (2) possess certain stated characteristics; or (3) consist of certain stated components.  (C) The proper noun "Flaminica" is specifically used in ancient sources to refer only to the wife of the Flamen Dialis; its use here may be inappropriate. It can be understood that the words "flamens", "pontifices", "augurs", and "sacerdotes" may refer to individuals of either sex in those offices. None of these titles should be capitalized unless they are r eferring to a specific individual.

MLA:  VTI ROGAS.

MIP:  VTI ROGAS.

PMA:  ABSTINEO. For the sentence:  "The Collegium Pontificum shall be responsible for the conduct and administration of all public religious ceremonies other than those rites assigned to the Augurs." could lead us to difficulties when ordinary magistrates are, in their normal duties, brought to conduct themselves such ceremonies. I recommend that this passage be reviewed.

QSP:  ABSTINEO.

GEM:  VTI ROGAS.

TGP:  ANTIQVO.

CSF:  ANTIQVO.  A change like this also needs an attorney to review it - considering that Nova Roma is not incorporated as a religious based institution - but as a public benefit institution.
 
MHM:  VTI ROGAS. The Quirites passed this, it permits the CP flexibility.
 
QFM:  ANTIQVO.  I voted against it in our College.  I believe then as I do now, it needs to be re written, with greater use of qualifiers.  Right now these are too confusing.  I am tired of confusing laws.  Aren't you?

ATS:  VTI ROGAS.  I share some concerns expressed by others regarding non-cultores, inter alia, but will hope for the best on these points.

DIP:  ABSTINEO.  I have listened and listened to the debate about this issue, mainly over the word `traditional' and `shall'.  The opposition to the first word doesn't convince me at all, it is a tempest in a teapot. We know what traditional me ans, even if the College hasn't officially "defined" it.  There have been concerns raised about the wording regarding the college of augurs and whether it can be used to prevent non cultores from holding magistracies if they are unwilling to perform auguries. I don't find this entirely convincing but I understand the concerns and will abstain for now.
 
GVA:  ANTIQVO.

CFBM:  VTI ROGAS.

GIC:  ANTIQVO.

CFD:  ABSTINEO.

EIL:  VTI ROGAS.
 
Item IV:  Approval of the Lex Curiatia Iulia de ratione comitiorum centuriatorum passed by the Comitia Centuriata:
By this Lex Curiatia Iulia de ratione comitiorum centuriatorum is amended the Lex Fabia de ratione comitiorum centuriatorum 5. B which reads:
In the case of a magisterial election, voting shall be sequential.
1. A century from the first class shall be selected by lot by the diribitores to vote first. No century containing only one member shall be selected for this purpose. For the first 48 hours of the voting period only members of that century shall be permitted to vote.
2. Twenty-four (24) hours after the beginning of the voting period, the diribitores shall tally the votes of all those who have voted so far according to the method set out in A.1 above, and shall announce the result no later than 48 hours after the beginning of the voting period.
3. Forty-eight (48) hours after the beginning of the voting period, the rest of the centuries in the first class shall be permitted to vote; members of the century selected under B.1 above who have not yet voted shall still be permitted to vote.
4. Ninety-six (96) hours after the beginning of the voting period, the diribitores shall tally the votes of all those who have voted so far according to the method set out in A.1 above, and shall announce the results no later than 120 hours after the beginning of the voting period.
5. One hundred twenty (120) hours after the beginning of the voting period, everyone who is eligible to vote but has not yet done so shall be permitted to vote. All voting shall cease no less than 216 hours after the beginning of the voting period.
The Lex Fabia de ratione comitiorum centuriatorum 5.B is hereby amended as follows:
5.B: In the case of magisterial elections, the voting period shall last no fewer than 192 hours (8 days), with all centuries casting their votes concurrently. Reports of the voting results shall be announced sequentially.
1. The Diribitores shall select by lot one century from among the first class centuries to serve as the Centuria Praerogativa. No century containing only one member shall be selected for this purpose.
2.Within forty-eight (48) hours after the beginning of the voting period, the Diribitores shall tally the votes of all those who have cast votes thus far in the Centuria Praerogativa, and shall announce those results no later than 48 hours after the beginning of the voting period.
3. Ninety-six (96) hours after the=2 0beginning of the voting period, the Diribitores shall tally the votes of all those who have voted thus far, and shall announce the results of only the first class centuries no later than 120 hours after the beginning of the voting period.
4. All voting shall cease after no less than 192 hours (8 days) have past and no more than 216 hours (9 days) have past after the beginning of the voting period. The Diribitores shall then tally all votes cast and within 48 hours later report the results solely to the presiding magistrate and to his or her colleague as per 3.F.
 
ITEM IV PASSES:  III ANTIQVO * XXI VTI ROGAS * I ABSTINEO
 
MCC: VTI ROGAS.

MIS:  VTI ROGAS.

MMPH: ADSENTIOR VTI ROGAS. This measure simplifies voting procedures so that they shall be less confusing to voters, and thus prevent problems as we've seen in recent years. At the same time it allows us to retain all augural procedures as our tradition has followed in recent years.

CCS:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBQ:  VTI ROGAS.

TIS:  VTI ROGAS.

PUSV: ITA [VTI ROGAS]. As both a Custos Emeritus and Diribitor Emeritus, I think this a commonsense adjustment of our voting procedure.

FGA:  VTI ROGAS.

GEC:  VTI ROGAS.

MLA:  VTI ROGAS.

MIP:  ABSTINEO.

PMA:  VTI ROGAS.

QSP:  VTI ROGAS.

GEM:  VTI ROGAS.

TGP:  VTI ROGAS.

LCSF:  ANTIQVO.

MHM:  VTI ROGAS .

QFM:  ANTQVO.  We keep adding snippets to our voting laws. Why can't we simply tear apart the whole thing and rewrite it from scratch?  As a writer of rules I know from past experience adding rules to existing rules causes other rules to change meanings or be confusing for interpretation.

ATS:  ANTIQVO.  I prefer the present, more Roman, system, though clearly we must do more to educate the voters and make other changes, such as increase the number of diribitores and lengthen the portion of the voting period devoted to those other than the first-class centuries.  Too many of our election officials in particular see fit to disappear, especially when they are most needed.

DIP:  VTI ROGAS.   A much needed simplification of our voting system.
 
GVA:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBM:  VTI ROGAS.

GIC: VTI ROGAS.

CFD:  VTI ROGAS.

EIL:  VTI ROGAS.
 
 
Item V:  Approval of the Lex Curiatia Iulia de tributo virginum vestalium passed by the Comitia Centuriata
By this Lex Curiatia Iulia de tributo virginum Vestalium is amended the Lex Apula de assiduis et capite censis, pars II, by the addition of paragraph II.B, which is:
II.B: Those appointed as Vestal Virgins by the Collegium Pontificum shall be exempt from paying the annual tax and shall retain their status as Assidui so long as they remain Vestal Virgins. No special conditions shall be placed on Vestal Virgins with regard to their p lacement in centuries and tribes or upon their ability to run for or hold office.
 
ITEM V PASSES:  III ANTIQVO * XX VTI ROGAS * II ABSTINEO
 
MCC: VTI ROGAS.

MIS: VTI ROGAS.

MMPH: ADSENTIOR VTI ROGAS. This exemption for the Vestal Virgines is another measure that I, as Pontifex Maximus, have asked the Quirites to grant. I thank the Comitia Centuriata for approving the measure. This is an essential sacerdotal office, one that is central to the religio Romana that we are building for Nova Roma. Where historically the Vestales were paid a stipend by the State; in comparison this exemption from the tributa is only a gesture. But it does show that Nova Roma places special value on the services that these women will provide to benefit all of our Quirites.

CCS:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBQ:  VTI ROGAS.

TIS:  VTI ROGAS.

PUSV: ITA [VTI ROGAS]. I do believe that the Vestals should have some special privileges and protections.

FGA:  VTI ROGAS.

GEC:  VTI ROGAS.

MLA:  VTI ROGAS.

MIP:  ABSTINEO.

PMA:  ABSTINEO. I have personally voted `antiquo' on the principle of an exemption, for the grounds that I have already expressed, but do not wish to oppose the People's vote in a matter where our fundamental law is not at stake.

QSP:  VTI ROGAS.

GEM:  VTI ROGAS.

TGP:  VTI ROGAS.

LCSF:  ANTIQVO. To grant tax exemption to ANYONE - when NR=2 0has been declining in revenue every single year is a gross disregard to the financial health of the organization.  This exemption should be sought once Nova Roma's tax roles have expanded for at least a 3 year straight period.

MHM:  VTI ROGAS.  This is the start the Vestals are essential to Nova Roma and should receive the highest honours.

QFM:  ANTIQVO.  I agree that we need incentives to get vestals into service for the Goddess.  But, an exception goes against everything Flavius Vedius wished in his tax concept.  This fundamental concept is that if you want to take part of Nova Roma's structure you must be willing to support Her by paying dues.  Perhaps reasonability for the Vestal dues should fall to the Pontifix Maximus, after all he holds manus over them, he is the Paterfamilias for the group.  It is something to think about.

ATS:  VTI ROGAS.

DIP:  VTI ROGAS.  I have no objection to the vestals receiving this exemption, though we have to be pretty careful about exemptions. We don't have much money coming in to begin with.

GVA:  VTI ROGAS.

CFBM:  VTI ROGAS.

GIC:  ANTIQVO.  I don't support any exemptions at this stage - given our finances and the pitiful amount involved.

CFD:  VTI ROGAS.

EIL:  VTI ROGAS.

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  Vale.