Session May 2779
Contents |
Presiding Magistrate
D. Aurelius Ingeniarius, Consul
The session was chaired by D. Aurelius Ingeniarius. The 'Call to Convene' was announced on Kal. Mai. ‡.
Consular Auspices
The auspices were taken by D. Aurelius Ingeniarius, consul. They were taken in a small garden, just 1.8km from the outer walls of the original foundations of the Augusta Taurinorum. Under guidance from Cn. Corenlius Lentulus, pontifex, sacrifices and prayers were made to Iuppiter Optimus Maximus. The auspices were found to be favorable.
Consular Opening and Closing Ceremony
An opening ceremony of rites and sacrifice was made by consul, D. Aurelius Ingeniarius. The closing ceremony was conducted a.d. III Kal. Iun. ‡, on the shores of Lago di Garda, Italy, by the presiding magistrate.
Quorum
The senate has 23 voting members registered. In accordance with article XI.E. of the Senatus consultum de ratione senatus MMDCCLXV, no senator is deemed absent as no senator has lodged their pending absence on this forum. As per article I, 2/3 of registered members constitutes a quorum; this is 16 members. With 23 of 23 members accounted for, quorum is achieved. The 23 voting members are:
- D. Aurelius Ingeniarius, consul, presiding magistrate, senator praetorius
- M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis, consul, senator aedilicius
- L. Calpurnius Bestia, praetor
- D. Claudius Aquilinus, praetor
- M. Aurelius Cotta Iovius, censor, senator consularis
- C. Petronius Stephanus Turpilianus, censor, senator consularis
- Fl. Vedius Germanicus, princeps senatus, senator censorius
- Sex. Lucilius Tutor, senator censorius
- Q. Arrius Nauta, decemvir stlitibus iudicandis, senator censorius
- T. Domitius Draco, senator consularis
- C. Cornelius Cethegus Barosus, senator consularis
- P. Aurelius Barbatus, quattuorvir rerum curandarum, senator consularis
- C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho, senator consularis
- M. Hortensia Maior Fabiana Faustina, senatrix praetoria
- P. Porcius Licinus, curator aerarii, senator praetorius
- Ti. Iulius Nerva, quattuorvir rerum curandarum, senator praetorius
- A. Vitellius Celsus, senator aedilicius
- A. Iulius Paterculus, quattuorvir rerum curandarum, senator aedilicius
- Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, triumvir monetalis, princeps iuventutis, senator aedilicius
- M. Octavius Corvus, triumvir monetalis, senator tribunicius
- Ap. Curius Rullus, senator tribunicius
- A. Ocratius Maximus Gittus, tribunus militum comitiatus, senator quaestorius
- Sibylla Fulvia Ambrosia, senatrix privata
The following 5 tribuni plebis who are not senators themselves have the right to attend this meeting of
the Senate and are invited to participate therein:
- Ti. Horatius Barbatus, tribunus plebis
- M. Claudius Marcellus, tribunus plebis
- Q. Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus, tribunus plebis
- Q. Flavius Hugo Capito, tribunus plebis
- C. Valeria Terra, tribuna plebis
Schedule
1000 Rome Time (CET) Kal. Mai. ‡ 2779 AVC (1 May 2026) Call to convene. The call to convene shall last a nundium to allow new senators to subscribe to the Curia Cornelia. 2030 Rome Time (CET) a.d. IV Id. Mai. ‡ 2779 AVC (12 May 2026) Call to order. Opening address. Agenda items are put forward. Debate period commences. 2100 Rome Time (CET) a.d. VI Kal. Iun. ‡ 2779 AVC (27 May 2026) Call to vote. Debate is allowed to continue during voting. 2100 Rome Time (CET) a.d. III Kal. Iun. ‡ 2779 AVC (30 May 2026) Voting period closes. No further voting or discussion is permitted. 2100 Rome Time (CET) prid. Kal. Iun. ‡ 2779 AVC (31 May 2026) Call to close. Call to close made before this time.
Presiding Magistrate's Closing Comments
To the esteemed senators and citizens of Nova Roma!
This draws to a close the second session of the senate this year. This was another interesting session and I am happy we made some good progress despite only a few of the 23 senators actually offering any suggestions or improvements. We should all extend our thanks to the senators of D. Claudius, P. Aurelius, P. Porcius, T. Domitius, Fl. Germanicus and A. Iulius, who made meaningful and constructive comments before the vote in the senate to try and shape the proposals on the agenda. I also welcome those comments made by senators as part of their vote, although we were unable to enact on those in this session. We are often dealing with multi-faceted or complex issues and a diversity of different ideas really help us to come up with the best solution. My consular team and I are not perfect, and also such a small representation of the whole Republic, so, contributions like those from the senators above, help create better rounded proposals. I continue to encourage our whole senate body to ensure you are heard, no matter how small a suggestion.
To summarize this session, the senate has decided, through their votes, on the following:
- A. Despite attempts to rein in the approach, the senate has doubled-down on its commitment to spend at least two thirds of our entire treasury over three years on togas, tunics, tents and reenactment display items. Although there is certainly some merit in these purchases, the senate has insisted on no central oversight and no stipulation to track the purchases. The senate has refused to place any spending limits on this program, demanding an open budget. To provide some accountability, the senate has separately appointed a new curator aerarii (Chief Information Officer) this session, and through him, we may be able to start tracking the purchases at the very least. I'll continue to work with the previously appointed spending committee to try and gain more transparency and budgetary restraint. Noting our aging and obsolete online infrastructure, more work needs to be done to ensure we are spending appropriately, that benefits the majority of citizens.
- B. I was pleased to see the senate accepted responsibility and accountability for the lack of financial reporting this session. The senate had inadequately supported our previous curator aerarii in communicating his tasking to him. We have also now, discharged, with honors, our previous curator aerarii, P. Porcius Licinus, and welcomed in a new curator aerarii, P. Aurelius Barbatus. We owe a great thanks to P. Porcius, and through our actions in this senate, we have now set up P. Aurelius for success. Through his enthusiasm, we may even get the greater extent of reporting we require this year too. I, and the senate, look forward to the contributions of P. Aurelius.
- C. Through some effort, we were also able to define, for the first time, a process of acknowledgment for your citizen tax payments. The senate has heard your numerous complaints, your numerous concerns, and has sought to define a process and timeline of receipt and acknowledgment. The treasury team, under the good guidance of our new curator aerarii, will seek to start a better chain of communication, to not only acknowledge your gracious tax contributions to Nova Roma, but also ensure your public Album Civium records reflect your status accordingly. I am now off to brief the treasury and censorial team to ensure we can meet our obligations.
- D. Many citizens will be pleased to hear that we have made steps to open a European-based bank account in the name of Nova Roma. There is still a bit of investigation and work to do yet, but we are attempting to provide our international community with more options. We’ll also be making a U.S. based bank account open in the next few months also. Stay tuned. In the meantime, the PayPal remains the usual option to pay your taxes. See the ongoing tax information here: http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Nova_Roma_Taxes.
There is still much needing to be addressed. For example, we still face inefficiencies in many processes across our Republic. I hope we can explore solutions to these issues in our future sessions. We also need to undertake provincial administrative reporting and accountability this year also. Rest assured, we are working hard to resolve these things as soon as we can.
Agenda
ITEM I Opening Address Item not for vote. Discussion Only. ITEM II Decree concerning the abolition of the Office of Civil Assistance of Nova Roma Item not for vote. ITEM III Decree concerning the repeal of a previous SC on public assemblies Item not for vote. ITEM IV Decree concerning a temporary exemption from the reporting of public accounts this year Item not for vote. ITEM V Decree concerning the appointment of a curator of the treasury Item not for vote. ITEM VI Decree concerning the establishment of an office for administering the elections Item not for vote. Withdrawn by presiding magistrate. ITEM VII Decree concerning the management of tax status recording Item for Vote ITEM VIII Ultimate Decree concerning the prioritization of Nova Roma tasking Item for Vote ITEM IX Decree concerning the establishment of alternate tax paying methods Item for Vote ITEM X Decree concerning the increased regulation to be imposed on the acquisition of clothing and public equipment of Nova Roma Item for Vote
Proposal Results
ITEM II - Senatus consultum de officio auxilii civilis Novae Romae abolendo - Decree concerning the abolition of the Office of Civil Assistance of Nova Roma
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 22 (DAI, MCMT, LCB, DCA, MACI, CPST, FlVG, SxLT, QAN, TDD, CCCB, PAB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, AOMG, SiFA)
Antiquo / Dissentio = 0
Abstineo = 0
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM III - Senatus consultum de conventibus publicis abrogando - Decree concerning the repeal of a previous SC on public assemblies
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 22 (DAI, MCMT, LCB, DCA, MACI, CPST, FlVG, SxLT, QAN, TDD, CCCB, PAB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, AOMG, SiFA)
- Comments:
- AIP: Such a coordinated calendar as was proposed would be a useful tool. I hope that we can find a new volunteer and revisit this idea in the near future.
Antiquo / Dissentio = 0
Abstineo = 0
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM IV - Senatus consultum de exemptione temporaria a relatione rationum publicarum hoc anno - Decree concerning a temporary exemption from the reporting of public accounts this year
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 16 (DAI, MCMT, LCB, MACI, SxLT, QAN, CCCB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, SiFA)
Antiquo / Dissentio = 5 (DCA, CPST, FlVG, TDD, AOMG)
- Comments:
- TDD: Absolutely not. We require an accurate reporting of the finances of Nova Roma. For too long has it been ignored and it must stop. We, as members of the Board of Directors of Nova Roma, Inc have a LEGAL FIDICUARY DUTY to the corporation, to its members, to its donors, and the State of Maine. Interesting fact: Any member of the Board can demand the financial documentation of Nova Roma that must legally be granted within five business days (unless the demanding party allow further leeway) and that Nova Roma will be financially responsible for the legal fees incurred if it is taken to the Maine Superior Court. While I can see granting an extension, we cannot and should not continue to shirk our actual responsibilities. We can't keep kicking the can to the following year.
- FlVG: Financial responsibility is a fundamental necessity, and we owe it to the Cives to see that it is being enforced.
- CPST: I agree with some of my colleagues that financial responsibility is a fundamental necessity, and we owe it to the Cives to see that it is being enforced. We require an accurate reporting of the finances of Nova Roma. For too long it seems to have been ignored, and this practice must cease. I have been producing accounts for my law firm for some 38 years now, rather than paying an accountant to do this, and so I have some idea of what is involved, and the time required. It seems to me that the only reason we do not have public accounts is the required time, which would not be exorbitant (given the relatively limited number of transactions involving income and outgoings), has not been spent on this. Probably, if someone applied themselves fully to this task, it would take not more than 3 to 5 full days to complete at most, and that is being generous. It takes me less than one day to do the paperwork associated with my law firm’s own accounts, going through the receipts, adding up all the income and expenditure, and making the necessary calculations, It therefore seems a choice not to produce these accounts, rather than a product of inescapable or unforeseen circumstances.
- AOMG: I agree with some of my colleagues that financial responsibility is a fundamental necessity, and we owe it to the Cives to see that it is being enforced. Accurate reporting of the finances of Nova Roma is an obligation and not just a wish list. Financial transparency in office is an absolute requirement.
Abstineo = 1 (PAB)
- Comments:
- PAB: As the proposed curator aerarii and the individual who would be responsible for producing the required report should this measure pass, I believe it is appropriate that I abstain from voting on this item. Should this measure and the one appointing me the new curator aerarii pass, I will undertake my duties diligently and will work toward producing the preliminary report required by Kal. Sext. in order to improve transparency regarding the current state of Nova Roma's finances.
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM V - Senatus consultum de curatore aerarii creando - Decree concerning the appointment of a curator of the treasury
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 21 (DAI, MCMT, LCB, DCA, MACI, CPST, FlVG, SxLT, QAN, TDD, CCCB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, AOMG, SiFA)
Antiquo / Dissentio = 0
Abstineo = 1 (PAB)
- Comments:
- PAB: As this proposal directly concerns my own appointment to office, I believe it is proper that I abstain from voting on the matter.
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM VII - Senatus consultum de tabulis tributorum - Decree concerning the management of tax status recording
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 11 (DAI, MCMT, DCA, FlVG, SxLT, TDD, PAB, CFCAS, PPL, AVC, CnCL)
Antiquo / Dissentio = 8 (LCB, MACI, QAN, CCCB, MHMFF, TiIN, MOC, SiFA)
Abstineo = 3 (CPST, AIP, AOMG)
- Comments:
- CPST: I agree with A. Iulius Paterculus that citizens should be informed that Nova Roma has received their taxes. If M. Cotta Iovius believes that compliance is not feasible with this proposal as it stands, then I will defer to his judgement.
- AIP: Citizens should be informed that Nova Roma has received their taxes. If M. Cotta Iovius believes that it compliance is not feasible with this proposal as it stands, then I will take his more experienced judgement, but I hope we revisit this with whatever minor adjustments it would take to satisfy everyone that it can be done.
- AOMG: Citizens should be informed that Nova Roma has received their taxes. If M. Cotta Iovius believes that compliance is not feasible with this proposal as it stands, then I will defer to his judgement.
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM VIII - Senatus consultum ultimum de ordine praecipuo negotiorum imperatori Cn. Cornelio Lentulo tribuendo - Ultimate Decree concerning the prioritization of Nova Roma tasking
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 2 (DAI, TDD)
- Comments: Not for public release.
Antiquo / Dissentio = 18 (MCMT, LCB, DCA, MACI, FlVG, SxLT, QAN, CCCB, PAB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, SiFA)
- Comments: Not for public release.
Abstineo = 2 (CPST, AOMG)
Nihil censuerunt = 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: NON ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM REJECTED)
ITEM IX - Senatus consultum de ordine novo tributorum exigendorum - Decree concerning the establishment of alternate tax paying methods
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 20 (DAI, MCMT, LCB, DCA, MACI, FlVG, SxLT, QAN, TDD, CCCB, PAB, CFCAS, MHMFF, PPL, TiIN, AVC, AIP, CnCL, MOC, SiFA)
Antiquo / Dissentio = 0
Abstineo = 0
Nihil censuerunt: 3 (CPST, AOMG, ApCR)
CENSUERE: ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM PASSED)
ITEM X - Senatus consultum de moderatione aucta in vestimentis et instrumentis publicis Novae Romae comparandis imponenda - Decree concerning the increased regulation to be imposed on the acquisition of clothing and public equipment of Nova Roma
Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 8 (DAI, DCA, CPST, FlVG, TDD, PPL, AIP, AOMG)
- Comments:
- DCA: I don't understand the numerous votes against this item so far. Currently, there is no spending limit and no requirement to keep a paper trail for items purchased with Nova Roman funds per the senatus consultum de vestimentis et instrumentis publicis Novae Romae (although it did specify "the committee shall also study and recommend the creation of a secretariate to determine custodianship, storage, and logistical management of these assets" which I have not seen an update on.) I am in favor of purchasing items that we demonstrably need as the budget allows, but we must live within our means since we can't just add digits to Nova Roma's Bank of America and PayPal accounts. The moderate financial information that I have seen shows that Nova Roma needs more spending control and discussions on fiscal priorities, not less...especially as we dig deeply into the financial reserves this year. How many more large annual budget deficits can we absorb? Targeted purchases that we can afford I do support, and if revenues increase/expenses decrease then items purchased could commensurately be increased. Nevertheless, a blank check for unlimited spending that we don't even see happening in real time or vote on I cannot support, neither as a taxpayer nor as a senator since the board of directors for Nova Roma Inc. each carry a personal fiduciary responsibility. Also, establishing a record for all purchases in addition to custodianship, storage, and logistical management is common sense as well as overdue. Therefore, I feel obligated to go on record in the minutes of the senate as opposing unlimited spending on this topic and insisting on having a reasonable spending limit which this proposed item in front of the senate would do. That is, if one would think that a spending cap of 1,200 EUR on physical items is still in the realm of being fiscally reasonable after spending perhaps 4,000 EUR on the conventus plus a substantial amount for the website (I didn't see that figure for this year yet) when comparing those to revenues.
- CPST: I agree with A. Iulius Paterculus that a finite budget devoted to reenactment makes a lot of sense, and we should have a fuller discussion before either going forward with the proposed purchases or discarding the plan. Since section II includes a provision for a budget increase to be requested through the senate, like A. Iulius Paterculus, I am voting in favour so we are required to have that conversation. My preference would be not to define the amount allocated as a fixed amount of Euros, but rather as a percentage of the previous year’s income, which requires that we are properly provided with annual accounts so that we can judge the state of Nova Roma’s finances. This means that the budget for these items can increase as our income increase, incentivising us to grow our revenues, or automatically decrease as income falls. I am involve in local politics, and have seen how 14 years of carefully husbanding our budget, and actually increasing our council reserves, have been squandered by the new minority administration of a different incoming party, who acted like “kids in a candy store” when they go back into office, handing out money left, right, and centre. As a consequence, within a matter of 16 months they have effectively made my local authority bankrupt, with all the negative knock on effects in terms of cuts to services this is now having.
- FlVG: I am glad that the concerns I raised when this item was originally passed are finally being recognized and acted upon.
- TDD: No blank checks. I voted against the project for that very reason last year. Re-enactment is NOT the primary responsibility of Nova Roma and our funding, such as it may or may not be as we have received no financial reports in years, is better spent on bettering the body public of Nova Roma. Improving our infrastructure, investing in education (such as Latin, history, culture, religion). et cetera. Re-enactment is a tool, not our end-all. I would rather see us providing certifications than replicated chairs.
- AIP: I think that the general sentiment that there should be a finite budget devoted to reenactment makes a lot of sense, but when this proposal was drafted and during most of the debate period we did not have access to the information on the exact nature of planned expenditures which C. Flavius Constantinus gave us a day ago. We should have a full discussion before either going forward with the proposed purchases or discarding the plan. Since section II includes a provision for a budget increase to be requested through the senate, I am voting in favor so we are forced to have that conversation, though I hope that we will talk about it more in depth whether this specific provision succeeds or fails.
- AOMG: I agree with A. Iulius Paterculus that a finite budget devoted to reenactment makes a lot of sense, and we should have a fuller discussion before either going forward with the proposed purchases or discarding the plan. Since section II includes a provision for a budget increase to be requested through the senate, like A. Iulius Paterculus, I am voting in favour so we are required to have that conversation. My preference would be not to define the amount allocated as a fixed amount of Euros, but rather as a percentage of the previous year’s income, which requires that we are properly provided with annual accounts so that we can judge the state of Nova Roma’s finances. This means that the budget for these items can increase as our income increase, incentivising us to grow our revenues, or automatically decrease as income falls. I am involve in local politics, and have seen how 14 years of carefully husbanding our budget, and actually increasing our council reserves, have been squandered by the new minority administration of a different incoming party, who acted like “kids in a candy store” when they go back into office, handing out money left, right, and centre. As a consequence, within a matter of 16 months they have effectively made my local authority bankrupt, with all the negative knock on effects in terms of cuts to services this is now having.
Antiquo / Dissentio = 14 (MCMT, LCB, MACI, SxLT, QAN, CCCB, PAB, CFCAS, MHMFF, TiIN, AVC, CnCL, MOC, SiFA)
- Comments:
- PAB: In principle, I support the establishment of reasonable financial oversight and accountability regarding the acquisition of public equipment. However, during my consulship, the senate enacted the senatus consultum de vestimentis et instrumentis publicis Novae Romae. Following its passage, my former co-consul C. Flavius Constantinus, in cooperation with Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, began work on a substantial project intended to elevate Nova Roma's physical presence in Europe. Having worked alongside my former co-consul on this effort, I cannot support restrictions that would likely halt or substantially delay a project already in development. Accordingly, and with respect to the hard work my colleagues are investing in this undertaking, while I support prudent fiscal oversight in principle, I must vote against this proposal in its current form and at this time.
Abstineo = 0
Nihil censuerunt: 1 (ApCR)
CENSUERE: NON ITA CENSUERUNT (ITEM REJECTED)
Session Results
- Senators who did not vote in this session: ApCR.
