Chapter 192: Restricting Citizenship

"Uncle Robert is here! Please have a seat. Give me a moment to finish these last two problems. Sorry about that~"

Carter looked up, glanced at Benjamin, who had just entered, and then at his homework, which only had two problems left. Without any formality, he pointed to the sofa opposite his desk and called out:

"Goodman, could you please ask Greta to bring a cup of coffee for our mayor here? Actually, make it two; I'll need one as well."

"Thank you! Take your time, no need to be formal with me."

After thanking Carter and Goodman, Benjamin didn't sit on the sofa. Instead, he walked to Carter's desk and watched him work on his homework.

Sigh!

Benjamin couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Feeling a bit guilty for bringing more trouble to Carter, Benjamin suddenly realized something. Given Carter's academic performance and his current financial situation, he would definitely be going to college.

And when it was time for him to go to college…

Where's the nearest university to Douglas? Mercer University in Macon? Or the State University branch in Macon?

Benjamin shook his head, forcing himself to discard this impractical thought. It was ridiculous! Sending Carter to such schools would be a waste. Mercer University, though a private institution with a long history, was in Georgia, a place where private schools often fared worse than public ones.

As for the public State University branch, it was established in 1968, only twelve years ago. Its top programs were mostly low-cost ones like management.

Simply put, unless it was for a diploma, these schools were practically useless.

If not in Macon, even attending a school in Atlanta would be 200 to 300 kilometers away from Douglas. And if he were to leave Georgia...

Benjamin suddenly felt selfish. If possible, he hoped Carter would stay in Douglas forever. With his support, Douglas could be revitalized under Benjamin's leadership. Even if he couldn't do it, there would be the next administration!

Given Carter's current influence, Benjamin wasn't worried about the next mayor not cooperating with him. It was a joke! In Douglas, if Carter publicly disapproved of a candidate, it would be a miracle if they got any votes.

In fact, it might not even be that complicated. When Benjamin's term ended, and Carter was of age, he could run for mayor himself. Then Benjamin could be his advisor, guiding him.

"All done! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Huh? Oh no, not at all, hahaha…"

Carter's voice seemed to pierce Benjamin's thoughts, making him laugh awkwardly and feel a bit guilty as he changed the topic:

"Carter, how's the study pressure lately?"

"A bit, mostly time pressure. This past half-year has been busy, so I hardly have time for homework. Honestly, Uncle Robert, I've had quite a few assignments done by my classmates, haha. Please, have a seat!"

Stretching and walking over to the sofa, Carter invited Benjamin to sit down. After taking a few sips of coffee to refresh himself, he smiled and asked:

"What brings you here today, Uncle Robert? Is there something you need my help with?"

"Yes, ah, no… well, actually…"

Looking at Carter's warm smile, Benjamin found it increasingly hard to speak.

To be fair, Carter had already done more for Douglas and Pearson than the two mayors combined. And now…

"Haha, Uncle Robert, are you being formal with me? That's not like you. With our relationship, there's no need for formalities. Just say what you need."

"Alright, then I'll get straight to it."

Julian's opening was scheduled for this weekend. After school tomorrow afternoon, Carter could take his secretary to New York to relax and change the scenery.

Feeling high-spirited, Carter hadn't realized the severity of the situation. But it didn't matter, because he soon would.

"There have been quite a few outsiders coming to Douglas and Pearson recently, hoping to settle down. Have you heard about this?"

"Really? They… I get it. They saw our low unemployment rate and thought there were plenty of job opportunities, right?"

"Exactly. Ever since the TV news about your HT plan aired, people haven't stopped coming."

Ugh!

Could we not bring up the TV thing?

Thinking about his minor role in the media made Carter cringe. But beyond the cringing, Carter was suddenly alarmed:

"Uncle Robert, you can't be lenient on this! We're barely managing local employment. If we allow outsiders…"

Are you seriously not considering yourselves as outsiders?

Draining my little coffers doesn't make you feel bad?

"I know, I know. I've been holding off on this issue. Mr. Reberdin and I have discussed it several times. I feel we might not be able to hold off much longer."

Seeing Carter's expression of disbelief, Benjamin quickly explained:

"Normally, it's hard to refuse the flow of people. We're currently rejecting applications based on their not being settled here, not having a fixed address, or tax records. But I worry that if desperate, they might sell their homes and come here to buy houses."

"If they have a fixed residence within our jurisdiction, we have to include them in our citizen system. Also, housing transactions are market behaviors, and it's hard to interfere with administrative orders."

"Isn't there still the issue of tax records? Doesn't Douglas have a regulation that prohibits applying for local citizenship without living here for a certain number of years or without a year or three years of tax records?"

"There really isn't! We used to beg people to come, but no one did. Who would make such a regulation? Do you think Douglas is New York?"

Benjamin couldn't help but laugh. Restricting citizenship? They didn't even have the money to subsidize it because this place was so poor.

Who would be stupid enough to restrict outsiders from settling? Why oppose money?

"How long would it take to pass such a regulation?"

"Hard to say. Municipal regulations are under the jurisdiction of the council. Even I can't directly enact this regulation, only push for it. The whole process would take at least two months."