[Jarred]

A half formed idea that you had eh?

Naturally I'm in favour of this and have already declared I'm willing to take part. I outlined the idea of having one in the Budget, I think I called it a "Spending Commitments Document" in the end, but it went through a number of names. I intended exactly this, a go-to resource for looking at the state of TSR finances: costings and revenue changes that are the result of bills that we all passed, so that you don't need to look through every single bill to get any idea of what we're spending and what we're taxing, and can instead just come to one place to get it all at a glance. Even now, with quite a little amount of economic bills, it's easy to get confused by the numbers now and then. Imagine 2 years down the line, I think there could be quite a few issues without something like this. It will be a good addition, helpful for both new and old members.

[toronto353]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
I'd be happy to work with you, personally. Provided everyone else that eventually ended up on this would be too. I think it'd be a positive to have a range of different political views helping with this. Not sure how to narrow it down to 2-3 people, I'm not sure if I'd feel entirely comfortable taking that as a personal decision considering that this is for the benefit of the house. Elections, maybe?

Just have one representative from each party and let the parties decide amongst themselves - that way you personally don't have to choose people.

[Stiff Little Fingers]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
I'd be happy to work with you, personally. Provided everyone else that eventually ended up on this would be too. I think it'd be a positive to have a range of different political views helping with this. Not sure how to narrow it down to 2-3 people, I'm not sure if I'd feel entirely comfortable taking that as a personal decision considering that this is for the benefit of the house. Elections, maybe?

I don't see you need to limit it down to 2-3 people - why not have this here with everyone able to produce costings for bills as and when they can, then once it's been done, post in here for people to check over. If everyone is satisfied, the details for that bill is added to an otherwise locked thread that contains just the costings. Perhaps add a wiki page like the medicine applicant bit so people can check what bill is being worked on and by whom.

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by JPKC)
It depends on what form you'd like it to take. If it's an open-edit article then, as I said above, I assumed it'd be a few people writing chunks up here and there. I can see the benefit of making it more formal (it would make sure that the resource was of a high standard). The main problem is how to confront disagreements on the effects of certain policies; the Liber interpretation of a tax is certain to differ from a Socialist's - for instance, conservatives estimate that lower rates of tax are conducive to economic growth, whereas most left-wingers would definitely dispute that.

I guess the last bit is exactly why I think it'd be better formalised, and with a range of people on it, such that these things could be settled in a non-partisan way.

[barnetlad]

I cannot offer to help but know it would help when the TSR Finance Bill comes along.

[jesusandtequila]

Partly to not let this slip down and be forgotten (particularly by me!). A list of people who have expressed interest in helping out. Stick your name down (or ask to have it taken off) and we'll see where we're at after that?

1. jesusandtequila
2. Jarred
3. Rakas21
4. JPKC

[Birchington]

My services are available if you need them.