The dog ate their homework
THAT was just too sloppy, even for House members. We’re referring to their inexcusable failure to act on an executive order that their own legal counsel said is unconstitutional. The Senate legal counsel reached the same conclusion. Again, this is not about whether the Commonwealth Casino Commission should be abolished — but about how to do it lawfully.
The governor’s legal counsel, to be sure, disagrees with his legislative counterparts. But that doesn’t settle the arguments in his favor; for that, we will need a ruling from the court.
This issue must be clarified because, among other things, any action taken under the authority of the executive order is likely to be challenged in court anyway.
The new administration is already facing several major challenges. A new round of litigation involving the casino industry is the last thing it needs.
Speaking of lawsuits
THE Public School System is still “hoping” to get an FY 2026 budget that meets the constitutional mandate to allot 25% of the government’s general revenue to PSS. The administration, which earlier projected revenue of $179.7 million, proposed $40 million for PSS. However, 25% of $179.7 million is $44.925 million.
The five elected members of the Board of Education formulate policy and exercise control over PSS. Will they allow the executive and legislative branches of government to ignore — if not violate — the Constitution and fail to provide PSS its constitutionally mandated funding? Can this be considered a breach of fiduciary duty and trigger a taxpayer’s legal action?
Perhaps it’s time to admit that the CNMI government can no longer afford to allocate 25% to PSS. But that will require amending the Constitution — not pretending it doesn’t exist.
A unified stance, finally
IT is encouraging to see CNMI leaders together and speaking in one voice during a meeting with visiting officials of the USDOT— a federal department crucial to the continued existence of the islands’ only industry, tourism.
What the CNMI wants is to revive tourism — which, clearly, is hard to do while pandemic-era restrictions remain in effect. In return, the CNMI has repeatedly expressed willingness to work with — and is working with — federal authorities to ensure that national security concerns are also addressed.
The CNMI, in any case, needs help to help itself. This should be made clear to Washington.
