ANNAGAWI, SENEPPI- With the big logistical things like public transit, roadways, and the public college system mostly resolved, things had been running smooth within the Seneppi State Legislature for the last several months, with hopes of moving towards more aspirational legislation. However, over the past week, a new debate has emerged over proposals by the lower house’s sole Libertarian representative regarding victimless crimes.
Last month, the Seneppi legislature shifted its focus towards issues of social justice. Part of the focus was criminal justice reform, reducing penalties for or legalizing some minor offenses. Some proposals were nearly universally supported, such as the setting aside of funds for more public homeless shelters across the state, the general decriminalization of homelessness in general, elimination of certain licensing requirements, codification of decriminalization of marijuana and total legalization of medicinal marijuana, and a significant reduction of sentences for fare evasion.
Other proposals passed smoothly but mostly along party lines, such as codification of barechested equality, banning of dress codes that enforce clothing choice by gender, and official legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which were approved by all members of the Liberal-Progressive Party, the sole Libertarian, and most of the Centrist Independents, but strongly opposed by the Conservative Party.
However, the smooth progression came to a halt when Lower House Representative Matthew K. Mannet (L), the sole libertarian in the Seneppi legislature, introduced a proposal that would legalize a large span of victimless crimes, including sex work and prostitution, gambling institutions, public drinking and public intoxication, and possession and use of most drugs. Unlike the other bills and proposals, there is no consensus and no clear party line answers. Most of these fall into categories most legislators see as complicated subjects they didn’t really want to touch.
“It’s tough. I’m not entirely sure I’d consider drug use, heavy intoxication, or gambling victimless crimes,” Wallawaukee Rep. Lydia Derden (LP) stated. “There’s too much of a threat to others in their lives if they’re unable to control their inhibitions. At the same time, I don’t really see a reason to continue to ban consentual sex work, and rules on public drinking do seem to get disproportionately enforced against minorities.”
Similar comments were made by many legislators, including St. Monarde County Rep. Ronald Tokowski (C). “I have to admit that legalizing sex work would probably be the free market decision, but morally as a man of faith, it’s hard for me to accept it. Is that really good for anyone involved? Is what we want our state to be known for?” he explained. Brighston Rep. Nora O’dello (CIP) expressed similar sentiments, saying “I want everyone to be safe and sustain themselves financially, but I really can’t help but think that in regards to prostitution we should be focused on doing all we can to make sure noone in Seneppi ever has to resort to that. But drug use should be a healthcare issue more than a crime.”
Most members of the legislature agree that whatever happens, the bill cannot pass as-is. “There are too many different factors,” Miraun Lower House representative Janet Garbson (LP) explained. “Most of us agree with some parts of the proposal, but disagree with large swaths of the rest.” Garbson would appear to be right, as a massive flurry of opposing proposed amendments have popped up on the Lower House floor from different legislators trying to remove certain parts of the bill. The sole amendment that has passed came from Personsboro’s Lower House Rep. Marco Fonseca-Hernandez (CIP), which emphasized additional workplace protections against sexual harassment for sex workers and harsher penalties for assaults, property damage, and other crimes done while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Libertarian Rep. Mannet is a representative for Bynes County, the second-most conservative county in Seneppi, and was elected in a crazy race where only the Conservative Party and Libertarian Party were viable. Mannet had been on the Rivard town council before running. His opponent, Deanna Hoft (C), was arrested for shoplifting and assault of a police officer just two weeks before voting began, tanking her support at the last minute. He’s the first Libertarian ever to hold a seat in the Seneppi legislature, though the party has held lower level local offices across the counties.
In a comment, Mannet said he’s not upset at the conflicts happening over his proposal. “What’s important is we’re having the discussion, and most see some merit in the idea that we shouldn’t be putting people in jail for things they want to do that don’t hurt other people. That’s a huge step forward, even if it takes us a while to get there. I’m really proud to have been able to spark the debate.”
And it likely will be a while. Even once all this is over, the bill still has to get sent to the Upper House, pass, and then get signed by the governor. When asked her thoughts, Governor Trisha Owanawa (CIP) stated “I honestly don’t know. I have to see what the final proposal is before I can make any accurate judgement.”
