Conflict of Orders

The consul, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, convenes the senate to discuss Public Works expenditures, and invites any member in good standing who wishes to suggest a baseline amount to do so, as well as to invite the Censor to give an overview of any extraordinary expenditures for measures above baseline maintenance which he wishes to propose.

Conscript Fathers,

I have two proposals relating to public works:


First:

I propose a baseline amount of 200,000 be subjected for the maintenance budget - replacing works, maintaining roads, etc.

Additional public works costing less than 10,000 denarii may be built up to an additional sum of 100,000 denarii.

Finally, a final 100,000 shall be set aside for festivals honouring the gods.

A total authorization of 400,000 denarii

The remainder of the budget shall remain in reserve for a potential crisis.

These funds shall be authorized for use by the Aediles, and overseen by the Censor.

Second:

Those whom cannot pay their taxes - presumably the landless proletarii - shall be able to work off their taxes owing instead of paying.

Instead of having these as uncollectable taxes that never reach the Temple of Saturn, these shall be recorded as “accrued labour revenue” on future budgets, and shall be “spent” exclusively for public works.

Senator Aurelius Cotta,

It is my understanding that approximately 500,000 denarii are traditionally spent annually on maintenance in Rome. Is 200,000 really sufficient?

Postumus Caesonius Tacitus wrote: ↑Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:55 pm Senator Aurelius Cotta,

It is my understanding that approximately 500,000 denarii are traditionally spent annually on maintenance in Rome. Is 200,000 really sufficient?

Conscript father,

Of course it is enough. Why in the times of Cincinnatus they spent far less on public maintenance. People have grown corrupt with greco-rot and prices have ballooned!

I have proposed a budget of 400,000 denarii. The aediles should be able to make up the difference out of their own pockets, as is tradition. They serve the public.

We must find efficiencies!

Esteemed Brethren,

Alongside any baseline allocation of funds deemed sufficient by this august body, I propose the allocation of funds for the expansion of the harbor at Ostia. With our recent conquest of Punic lands in Hispania comes the necessity to ensure the proper flow of military supplies and forces to it, as I'm sure our recently appointed Governors are well aware. Likewise, it is essential that the vital resources and commerce extracted from Hispania make their way to Rome in an efficient manner. The expansion of the Ostia Harbor would allow for such military and economic benefits, as well as an overall increase to regular revenues received by Rome due to increased usage by common merchant mariners.

For such a project, I propose the allocation of 30,000 Denarii. Should this number be deemed insufficient, either considered too meagre or too great, I invite my fellow Senators to propose alternative amount for consideration.

My fellow countrymen,

Perhaps more detail could be provided for the proposed system through which those unable to pay their taxes would be able to work off said debt to the Republic. My fear is that this would set up a system in which those taxes are never fully able to be paid nor could the situation of the indebted be able to be improved. I fear that we could be pushing the Republic back towards the policy of Nexum with such a scheme enacted, which of course was ended with the Lex Poetelia Papiria.

A man bearing the seal of Propraetor Furius Savo rises to speak.

Conscript Fathers,

I believe we should retain the 500,000 denarii in upkeep for the city of Rome. It is the center of our Republic and the heart of a power that brought Macedon and Carthage to kneel. Should we drape our city as beggars instead of a victorious people?

Anything less than that minimum is an affront to Rome’s reputation and splendor. Other powers will see us as weak and impoverished. We should not let this come to pass.

Conscript fathers,

I would like to propose funding 100,000 Denarii for a Large Temple for Mercury at Ostia to complement the proposed expansion of port facilities.
As the god of commerce and communication, we would do well to build a temple honoring him there.

Additionally, I would also like to recommend we keep the maintenance funding for Rome at 500,000 Denarii. It's served us well thus far after all.

Postumus Caesonius Tacitus wrote: ↑Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:34 pm Conscript fathers,

I would like to propose funding 100,000 Denarii for a Large Temple for Mercury at Ostia to complement the proposed expansion of port facilities.
As the god of commerce and communication, we would do well to build a temple honoring him there.

Additionally, I would also like to recommend we keep the maintenance funding for Rome at 500,000 Denarii. It's served us well thus far after all.

While I agree with the proposal that 500,000 denarii be allocated towards maintenance in Rome, I object to the construction of a temple in Ostia this year, or at least presently. While honouring the Gods and ensuring good favour for the new harbour expansion is quite important, I would advise we wait until provincial taxes have been levied and we have more money to work with. Besides, in Ostia, Mercury is very well honoured as the town operates entirely around commerce. Bronze statues adorn streetsides and homes honouring Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva. Everyday items like furniture legs, amphorae, and vessels of everyday use are often carved with Mercury's likeness. Further spending on his worship is unnecessary with our finances as they are.

Conscript fathers,

Consul Claudius has convened the Senate to discuss the matter of public works, both in regards ordinary related to ongoing construction and maintenance and extraordinary expenditures related to new construction which the Senate may deem fit to authorize. Any other discussions are welcome, Consular authorization permitting, at the conclusion of the present debate.

In regards the regular maintenance of public infrastructure it is my solemn promise to the Senate and People of Rome that the funds entrusted to me to oversee will be scrupulously and judiciously employed.

For the regular and annual maintenance of works we must assume that the amount of 500,000d, having been deemed necessary by prior holders of the Censorial office and lesser magistratures to be correct. These virtuous men having been empowered by the Senate and People of Rome were doubtlessly competent enough to make frugal use of the amounts allocated to them. Thus, I support a motion where half a million denarii are allocated for the regular maintenance of works.

In regards extraordinary expenditures, while I am generally in favor of the motions put forth by Senators P. Caesonius Tacitus and M. Silvius Pastor, I believe it would be prudent to confirm the necessity of said works before allocating direct funds to them. Thus, as a compromise, I would suggest that the Senate empower the Censor, myself in this case, to spend up to 200,000d in a single or multiple projects at his discretion for the duration of his term. Should it come to pass, I make a vow to investigate the needs of expansion of Ostia's harbor facilities and the state of its religious institutions as well as other projects deemed beneficial to the Republic such as roads, aqueducts and what not.

Should the 200,000d allotment not be spent during the term of Censorship, the remainder will be kept in the Temple of Saturn.

To allow interested Senators who wish to contribute their ideas to what is to be done, I will create a public commission where they can freely partake, provide their own input or even be assigned to certain projects. Should it please Senators Aurelius, Caesonius and Silvius, it would be my pleasure to invite them to said commission.

This will free the Senate to discuss matters of greater import.