Nordvand
Registered
King Matthew and PM Propose Space Ministry, First Astronaut in Space In 2022
by Mitchell Westfeld
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Parlamer City Times
VICTORIA - H.M. King Matthew I and Prime Minister Rodriguez today announced a bill that would create a national space agency with the goal of sending its first astronaut into space in 2022.
"It is time for us to join the class of nations who have reached upward into the final frontier," said King Matthew, speaking at a press conference held on the grounds of the Royal Estate. "We have the resources, we have the willpower, and now the Prime Minister and I ask the House of Delegates to approve legislation to send Nordvand to the stars."
Prime Minister Rodriguez, who was also at today's press conference, provided more specific information regarding the proposed legislation. "The government today will present legislation in the House of Delegates to create a national space ministry and to apportion sufficient funding to put a Nordvandian astronaut in space by no later than 2022. I am confident the bill will be approved, and that we can immediately begin developing a space program." The Prime Minister felt so confident about the passage of the bill that she circulated a logo for the proposed space program to the members of the press.
Major provisions of the bill from a white paper provided to members of the press include:
Not every member of Parliament was excited about the bill, however.
"While I think everyone in Parliament recognizes the benefits of a national space agency, I'm disappointed again to find that the Government hasn't provided any details about how they will magically summon $215 billion dollars in new funding," said Delegate Joshua Sanders, Leader of the Conservative Party and of the Government's Opposition. "I'm all ears if they plan to raise those funds through cuts to existing programs, but I'm expecting it to be more of the same out of this government - spending money we don't have, taking it through heaping even more taxes onto middle-class Nordvandians, or - more than likely - both."
Mr. Sanders also had choice words for King Matthew. "With all due respect to His Majesty, I don't think he should stand next to the leader of any party - including the Conservatives - and endorse their policy proposals. A monarch that is elected for a fixed term by the people of Nordvand should represent all the people of Nordvand, and not represent a shaky governing coalition comprised of only two of the five parties represented in Parliament."
His Majesty's Office did not respond to Mr. Sanders' comment at the time this article was printed.
The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the House Clerk for its first reading today at 4:00 PM.
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Parlamer City Times
VICTORIA - H.M. King Matthew I and Prime Minister Rodriguez today announced a bill that would create a national space agency with the goal of sending its first astronaut into space in 2022.
"It is time for us to join the class of nations who have reached upward into the final frontier," said King Matthew, speaking at a press conference held on the grounds of the Royal Estate. "We have the resources, we have the willpower, and now the Prime Minister and I ask the House of Delegates to approve legislation to send Nordvand to the stars."
Prime Minister Rodriguez, who was also at today's press conference, provided more specific information regarding the proposed legislation. "The government today will present legislation in the House of Delegates to create a national space ministry and to apportion sufficient funding to put a Nordvandian astronaut in space by no later than 2022. I am confident the bill will be approved, and that we can immediately begin developing a space program." The Prime Minister felt so confident about the passage of the bill that she circulated a logo for the proposed space program to the members of the press.
Major provisions of the bill from a white paper provided to members of the press include:
- Creation of a a national space program to be called the Royal Space Exploration Ministry;
- Creation of a new Minister of Space Exploration parliamentary cabinet position, and a new committee in the House of Delegates, entitled the "Committee on Space Exploration";
- Up to $190 billion of funding for the next three years, with a requirement that 80% of the apportioned funds should be used for direct costs required to put a Nordvandian astronaut in space by no later than 2022. Examples of such costs include, but are not limited to, research and development, construction of a rocket and habitable space capsule, construction of a launch center, and astronaut recruitment and training;
- Up to $15 billion of funding to the Royal Air Force for additional space and aeronautic training to prospective astronauts from its Aerospace Warfare Command (AWC); and
- Up to $10 billion of funding to Nordvand's major post-secondary institutions to develop aerospace engineering programs.
Not every member of Parliament was excited about the bill, however.
"While I think everyone in Parliament recognizes the benefits of a national space agency, I'm disappointed again to find that the Government hasn't provided any details about how they will magically summon $215 billion dollars in new funding," said Delegate Joshua Sanders, Leader of the Conservative Party and of the Government's Opposition. "I'm all ears if they plan to raise those funds through cuts to existing programs, but I'm expecting it to be more of the same out of this government - spending money we don't have, taking it through heaping even more taxes onto middle-class Nordvandians, or - more than likely - both."
Mr. Sanders also had choice words for King Matthew. "With all due respect to His Majesty, I don't think he should stand next to the leader of any party - including the Conservatives - and endorse their policy proposals. A monarch that is elected for a fixed term by the people of Nordvand should represent all the people of Nordvand, and not represent a shaky governing coalition comprised of only two of the five parties represented in Parliament."
His Majesty's Office did not respond to Mr. Sanders' comment at the time this article was printed.
The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the House Clerk for its first reading today at 4:00 PM.
Last edited: