Mori’s proposals are as follows:
• To lower the constitutional threshold requirement for amending the Constitution from 75 percent to 60 percent;
• To make former presidents ineligible to run for Congress following his/her presidency and to allow for the election of the president by popular vote (this proposed amendment will not apply to the current president and vice president, who are elected by the FSM Congress);
• To abolish two-year term seats and make all four-year term seats; and to set term limits for members of Congress to a maximum of three consecutive terms or a total of 12 years;
• To abolish life-time appointments for FSM Supreme Court judges, and to limit their term to a maximum of one term of 15 years.
In his letter to Figir, Mori also said that he has signed into law a one-time increase in the base salary of employees subject to the public service system.
Mori said he intends to take further reform measures to offset the salary increase, and that he needs the support of Congress to be successful.
Mori wants to review all areas of the government to see where it can be streamlined without undermining its ability to carry out its mandates to the people and the nation.
His goal is to try to reduce government workforce by 10 percent and the budget accordingly for the next three years.
He said the objective of his reforms is to offset the salary increase, ensure its sustainability and promote efficiency in government.
Finally, he requested Congress to place on the ballot for the March 2009 general elections the proposed constitutional amendment to lower the threshold requirement for amending the Constitution.
He urged Congress to seriously consider placing the term limits on the 2011 ballot in order to cut direct and indirect costs, give others the opportunity to serve, and promote new ideas.
He concluded his letter by stating that although the constitutional requirement threshold and term limit changes appear marginally related to the salary increase, there will be significant benefits in terms of cost reduction and these savings could be utilized to offset future salary increases.
