Cruz said lawmakers should be role models.
He noted that legislators are the ones advocating for austerity measures.
“Return the cars, get smaller, cheaper cars,” Cruz said.
Expensive vehicles, he added, are “luxuries” that CNMI taxpayers can no longer afford.
The $147,000 amount being spent on leased cars annually can be used to fund two or three local individuals who want to enroll in vocational course, Cruz said.
At least, these individuals cam apply for apprenticeships using the money appropriated for the car lease program, he stated.
Recently, Variety reported that Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian, “downgraded” his leased vehicle.
His office used to pay $900 in monthly lease payments, or $10,800 annually, for a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder.
San Nicolas is now using a Nissan Sentra which his office is paying $500 in monthly lease fees, or $6,000 annually.
