[To Argus Sesterius: Isabella Fitzgerald]

[Empress of Neon]

Dear Argus,

I may be out of Ephia's Well, but my chip still functions well enough. Congratulations on your new office.

I'd like to go over a few ideas and proposals with you I went over with Cyrille insofar as it concerns Ephia's economy. Believe it or not, I actually did have policies and proposals second-hand during the election. Security, much like diplomacy, goes hand in hand with wealth.

My first proposal is simple. In the interest of generating both state revenue and tending to John Syter's vision of exporting the Citadel's most precious resource for economic growth (water), I would first propose a new license to available for purchase. Nothing cheap; at least 1,500 dinars. The acquisition of which entitles the owner to at least two jars of Ephia's Tears per day. This will give stock to our traders without them having to go around rummaging some rat-ass corner of the world while also eliminating any costs of production outside of containers. It will create more investment and interest in foreign markets while also generating state revenue through the licenses themselves. Remember also that the more commonplace our resource becomes in the dunes, the more weight we carry behind our diplomatic efforts should even the specter of their withdrawl or absence in every-day life suddenly become a very real prospect.

My second proposal is housing. One of the few things I found of merit in Cyrille's platform. Right now, our housing market is in a spectacular collapse, as I'm sure you've noticed. Even the Krak de Roses is having trouble finding patronage to its lovely rooms upstairs, from what I understand. Why wouldn't it? The furniture tax has fired spectacularly. Lavish homes too expensive to be seriously considered in both upkeep and purchase remain uninhabited by all but the wealthiest in Ephia's Well. It's gotten to the point at which organizations, rather than people, have taken to them as a means of lodging or headquarters. It's especially upsetting to me as I'm all too well aware of how much revenue the state is losing. I would rather have 300 dinars for 5 occupied homes than 2 home occupied for 600. It's basic math. Volume of sales needs to become the criteria when it comes to real-estate, not the prestige. To that end, I suggest the furniture tax be  wholly and fully revoked (it's a silly law anyway).

I also suggest creating a new office for the Scribes. An office to be given a portent of allotment in the interest of construction. A lease-contract, funded by which, for any union or laboring company interested in developing Ephia's Well. Whether that's building up, down, in cat-walks along the walls supported by adequate pillars and archways, or simply clearing some of the rubble away yet remaining in the Citadel waiting to be restored to something new. Gods know there's plenty of it still in the Salt and Souk. More housing, but at an affordable price (150 dinars should be your goal in rental) so that people not only  have somewhere to lay their heads down, but are ensuring the state is receiving -some- kind of kickback in property taxes. Better some business than none at all, when it comes to real-estate.

Lastly, and this would be my most significant proposal, eliminate the requirement that only Voiced may hold property to their name. We are losing too much business and state revenue on housing because of this. Cheaper housing, as mentioned prior, will only be made fully realized in its potential if we legalize the poor's right to their own homes. Voiced or not. This does not take away banking privileges or political speech to Voiced citizenship. In truth, it's a commonsense solution to many of our problems when it comes to housing and deprivation to both our economy and coffers. Let the market bloom, with the aforementioned proposals above, and you will see Ephia's well safer, wealthier and more just all at once.

~ Isabella Fitzgerald

P.S Just ask any waradrim courier to deliver a response, if you feel the urge to write one. I'm all over the dunes these days when it comes to trade.

[BrassPheasant]

Isabella,

In order that you've brought things up;

Proposal 1: Water License

I take this to mean two jars of the Aged Waters, or is it to mean two of the smaller bottles, or a random mix? Is the intent that it is given freely each day, in addition to the allowance every Voiced is granted daily?

In my own conversations with water merchants, they have had little issue in finding stock, and rarely partake of the Voiced Allowance of Waters. To that end, if one wished to arrange for a larger shipment sent out to our trading partners, I believe that would be a deal best negotiated directly with the government. I do believe there could be merit in arranging direct sales from the Well to our neighbors, but for the time being if a trader wishes to sell the Waters elsewhere, there is little stopping them.


Prosposal 2: Housing

We are both well aware of the office in Palm Heights that one unfortunate Voiced bankrupted himself decorating. I am inclined to agree that the current rates of taxation are not ideal. It is certainly a matter that will require more information to back up any arguements, in particular removing the tax completely. If one were to bring such a proposal forward to the Assembly, I would suggest bringing a census of Voiced citizens stating if they would rent at current rates, at at least two reduced rates, and at a 0% tax, in addition to if they would rent alone or in groups. Having these numbers would go far in convincing the Assembly that it is a well considered investment in the Well's future; as opposed to the calls such as the White League makes that often fall on deaf ears.

Recently appointed-Nadiri Lojir Trajaros would be an ideal person to contact about conducting this kind of census. His work on the election results, and post-vote interviews did much to gain him favor with the Legate as a man of surveys.

Proposal 3:

While I am uncertain about suggesting something not of the Accords receive from the Allotment, I do agree that some construction could be well spent in the Well, in particular the Souk. Several places come to mind for a storefront that could be rented on a longer basis, with a displaying catalogue. Or a marketplace with longer-term rentals of stalls, with room for apartments above. However, opening more low cost rental rooms will be a hard sell, in particular as you've made an argument in the previous proposal that the Krak is unable to rent out all of its chambers.


Proposal 4: Unvoiced Property

Your origins in the League of White are showing here, dear Isabella. This will be a most difficult sell to make, and one I would not personally be supporting without very convincing arguments. Quite frankly, if a resident is incapable of earning a Voice via raising only five thousand coin (or, if all goes well at the next Assembly, through equivalent service done in support of the Well), then I question if they will be capable of the upkeep of a property in the long term.

I am aware that the White League once tried to function as a landlord via Sadira Uutramut-dai, covering the cost of the Voice in exchange for a tenant only paying the upkeep of the home; to my knowledge none ever took up her offer. With that precedent, I would argue this proposal would be unneeded; routes were provided for the Voiceless to have property, but they failed.


- Argus, League of Gold