Former Rep. Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler, who describes herself as a concerned citizen, said they want to tell lawmakers to “do the right thing by saving essential services and reducing the legislators’ discretionary funds.”
Sablan said the people are outraged to hear about a budget bill that increases the lawmakers’ discretionary funds from $86,000 to $130,000.
She said today’s rally will be just “the first wave” of other protest actions.
Staffler, in a separate interview, said taking away funding from agencies that provide essential services just to give lawmakers an increase so they can hire more people is just “not fair.”
“They became lawmakers because they were elected by many and not only by the few whom they want to assure of jobs,” she added.
Staffler admitted that there is an “an atmosphere of fear” in the local community, most of whom work for the government.
“We expect for the worst and hope for the best,” she said.
Senate substitute
Senate President Paul A. Manglona yesterday said they need to look at the numbers again, referring to the budget bill passed by the House.
Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said they will try address the concerns about the bill.
In a memorandum, he informed the other senators that the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs is currently working on a draft substitute bill and he encouraged his colleagues to assist the panel.
Manglona requested the committee to submit the Senate version within 14 days.
