Hey everyone, another day in the Union, and things are heating up! The Congress, or as the Poles call it "Sejm," is buzzing with lawmakers battling out their ideas. Speaker Stanisław Małachowski, kind of like Nancy Pelosi but from the 18th century, pushed for careful budgeting to keep the nation's finances stable. He's got a point—no nation can spend like there's no tomorrow. Full speech at https://www.sejm-wielki.pl/b/3.598.213.

Tobacco Talk Sparks Flames

The hot topic today? Tobacco! They're trying to figure out how to increase revenue from it. There's this new act that's all about managing the tobacco biz better and the Secretary of the Treasury for Poland-Ukraine, Roch Kossowski, is in the hot seat explaining why they think it's better to have the private sector handle it. Some reps, like Onufry Morski from the Podolia region, are pushing for a local approach, arguing that their areas could become tobacco production hubs.

Defense Spending Drama

Funding the military is also on the agenda. Turns out there's a big gap between what they're earning and what they need to pay the troops. I mean, they're short by almost half! So, they're throwing around some ideas, from taxing the big shots in government to getting extra from the judges' fines. It's not unlike today's discussions about where to trim or boost federal budgets.

The Military Funding Face-off

But here's the kicker: the congress can't agree on how to go about this. There's been a pitched battle between two main proposals—the cowhide camp wants to tax skins from slaughtered animals, while the meat money crew wants a straight-up sales tax on animal products. In the end, the hide hawks won by a narrow margin. Check out the fine print of the session at https://www.sejm-wielki.pl/b/9.5.560.

We'll Be Back After the Weekend

Lastly, President Stanisław August Poniatowski (the OG POTUS) gave everyone a break until next Monday. Probably a good call – things got pretty intense. Gotta love a long weekend, right?

The Gist of It

So, to all my fellow undergrads out there: it's the same old story, just a few centuries back. The big debates are over how to keep the Union secure and bankrolled, especially with the big bad neighbors eyeing the land. Oh, and keep that budget balanced—good advice, then and now.

That's all for today! Catch you after the weekend for more tales from the Union.

P.S. Think this is a throwback? Imagine these heated debates without WiFi or smartphones. Talk about old school politics!

Stay informed and stay in school — it keeps you from having to figure out 18th-century tax codes.

Topics: Government Policy; Tobacco Revenue; Tobacco Factory; Crown Treasury Revenues; Fees and Taxes; Tobacco Administration; Army Fund; Contracts; Public Treasuries; Military Funds; Judicial Matters; Land Revenues;

Increasing Revenue from Our Royal Cities in Poland-Ukraine and Lithuania-Belarus

In a recent development from the Congress, a significant economic reform has been passed regarding our cities' contributions to national revenue. The law impacts both large and small royal cities across our nation, including Poland-Ukraine and Lithuania-Belarus, and extends to their suburbs and jurisdictions. From henceforth, urban residents—no exceptions, including the Jewish communities—will owe half of what has previously been paid under the fire and hearth tax, as categorized by the city classifications of 1775.

Payments of these ancient taxes are now required in two installments, as mandated by Speaker Mister President Stanisław August Poniatowski and with the consensus of the confederated Houses of Congress. To ensure compliance and appropriate assessment, a special delegation has been appointed consisting of esteemed members from the Senate and the House of Representatives from West Poland, East Poland-Ukraine, and Lithuania-Belarus.

This delegation, after thorough examination and verification, including sworn testimonies on the potential of Warsaw and its suburbs to meet its obligations towards the national treasury, will draft a taxation plan for the capital. The aim is to present the project to the Houses of Congress within four weeks, with the first installment expected by January 1789. This imposed taxation mirrors a percentile tax that has similarly been offset for other residents of the Union states.

Other royal towns and cities will commence payment of the half hearth tax beginning January 1789, with the opportunity to deduct the percentile tax. Special considerations are given to the city of Krakow, recognized as the capital of the Polish Crown and greatly affected by recent national upheavals. It is decided that Krakow, for the next fifteen years, will pay this newly established tax with proceeds directed to the city treasury for revitalization purposes. Oversight will be provided by the county commission with the prerequisite approval for any expenditure—beyond which the city magistrate will hold no authority. Following this fifteen-year term, the collected funds will pivot towards bolstering and improving the military forces.

Topics: income from royal cities; hearth tax; city class; parliamentary deputation; Warsaw; Krakow; revenues; residents' obligations; half-per capita tax; constitution;