Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, told reporters that the 2010 Census indicating a 22.2 percent drop in CNMI population was their “signal” to move ahead with House Legislative Initiative 17-4.
Introduced by Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, earlier this year, H.L.I 17-4 will reduce the number of Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation members from 18 to nine.
Demapan said he supports this proposal because it will result in savings.
He said the Census results will be cited when his committee recommends the passage of the initiative, which must be approved by at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the Legislature. It doesn’t require the governor’s approval but it must be ratified by voters.
Demapan said his committee will conduct public hearings to get more inputs from the community.
“We have to do it right and strike the balance,” he added.
Demapan believes the number of senators, currently nine, should be reduced as well.
Palacios’ initiative states that if the number of Saipan lawmakers is cut in half, the CNMI government will save at least $1 million annually.
Each lawmaker will get $39,300 annual salary and over $51,000 in discretionary fund for fiscal year 2012.
