I guarantee the people of the Marianas that we can avoid austerities. How? Here is one way. Let’s look at government office leases. There’s CUC, Rev & Tax, DEQ, Zoning, CDA, and many other government agencies that continue to rent office space. One of these agencies spend at least $50,000 per month for its rent. Former Governor Babauta purchased La Fiesta in San Roque and it has been deteriorating since then. It is a liability which we can turn into an asset. The NMI government is leasing the land on which La Fiesta stands. We can simply invest to renovate the entire building and move all those government agencies that pay monthly rentals there. We would save millions of dollars per year and not need to cut the salaries and services of the government employees. In the long run, the NMI government and taxpayers would save millions of dollars per year and government workers would not have to get a pay cut.
Another way to avoid austerity is to reduce the salaries of agency directors. Some are making around $80,000 per year. If you compare this with the private sector, the government is overspending by about 40 percent on wages for agency directors. Look at CUC’s job announcements. The director will make up to $150,000 per year. The deputy director will make a little less at $120,000 per year. It is interesting because they have no money for fuel, yet lots of money for salaries. At a time when some people don’t even get paid on time, some agencies can afford hefty salaries such as these. At a time when the quality of life for many is in the hands of lawmakers, someone decides to pay directors with hefty salaries which we can’t afford. Time to wake up and demand what is best for all who call the Marianas home. Na para este na babarias! Pat hafa mon?
JESSE TORRES
Kagman, Saipan
