SENATE Floor Leader Joaquin G. Adriano has introduced a legislative initiative that seeks to reduce the number of members in the House of Representatives, increase the term of office for senators and representatives and adjust their salaries to a rate that could entice the “very best and most competent” candidates for the Legislature.
Adriano, D-Tinian, said the ratification of Senate Legislative Initiative 13-2 would not only save money for the Legislature but will also make it comply with the “one man one vote rule.”
Similar legislative initiatives were also introduced in the past, but none were passed by the Legislature.
Adriano’s proposal seeks to downsize the number of House members from 18 to 12 with one member elected from Rota, one member elected from Tinian and 10 members elected from Saipan and the Northern Islands.
To eliminate the unequal number of voters in the Saipan election districts, the legislative initiative further proposes reducing the four election districts of Saipan and the Northern Islands to one election district, electing 12 representatives on an “at-large basis.”
Terms of senators would be increased to six years while that of representatives would be increased to four years. Salaries of legislators would also be increased so that the Legislature “would be able attract the most competent candidates.” A lawmaker’s base annual salary would be increased from $39,000 to $60,000.
