By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

PRESS Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. yesterday said the three members of the Saipan and Northern Island Municipal Council should justify their proposal to have lawmaking powers in light of the CNMI’s more pressing “challenges.”
“I believe there have been similar proposals in the past, but those were not approved,” Reyes said, referring to the legislative initiatives introduced in the Legislature.
He said giving the municipal councils legislative power over local matters involves a constitutional issue that has to be approved by voters.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to consider that issue very seriously,” Reyes said, adding that empowering municipal councils is not a priority for the administration as it tries to resolve the CNMI’s problems.
Asked to comment about the Saipan council’s passing a “municipal bill establishing a neighborhood watch task force,” Reyes said: “What’s the justification? What is the public policy behind that proposal? They have to carry the burden of proof in justifying the need for such a (proposal).”
Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, introduced Senate Legislative 15-6, which will “empower” municipal councils by allowing them to enact local laws.
A legislative initiative is a proposal to amend the CNMI Constitution.
It has to be approved by at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the Legislature present and voting before it can be placed on the ballot.
A legislative initiative is ratified if it is approved by a majority of the votes cast in a general election.