Even though signs were plain enough, the administration didn’t plan for the economic downturn which began well before the current global meltdown. Not anticipating the complete withdrawal of the garment industry and a corresponding drop in revenues is negligent if not incompetent. Not anticipating that other airlines might scale back their routes to the CNMI as Continental moved its hub to Guam and Japan Airlines pulled back is outright neglect if not incompetence.
In anticipation of a further slowdown of the economy, the Legislature last year proposed an austerity plan, which the administration rejected. The administration also vetoed the budget and, with the help of eight legislators, managed to thwart a veto override. These are the lawmakers who want the governor to operate on a continuing resolution, again: Oscar Babauta, David Apatang, Francisco Dela Cruz, Raymond Palacios, Justo Quitugua, Ramon Tebuteb, Stanley Torres and Joseph Camacho.
They gave full support to Governor Fitial’s budget plan, which is to have no budget. Their vote on the override is evidently what passes for political courage in their playbook.
Without a new budget, the governor can continue to hire nonessential employees, political cronies and former political operatives like unemployed ex-legislators. This is what the eight lawmakers voted for.
Legislators, however, were elected to make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the commonwealth and its citizens. Deal-making in the pursuit of short-term political gains can no longer be overlooked in today’s economic climate. These unprincipled acts have the effect of hurting everybody and putting the entire system at risk. Not surprisingly, what was once a nice community is now unraveling. It didn’t happen overnight.
There is plenty of blame to go around, but, usually, once the dysfunction has been identified, the expected response is to stop whatever it was that created the problem. But not on Capital Hill. Not now. Not with this brand of elected officials.
This is, in any case, a general election year and politicians are already showing their true colors. Take the time to consider how your elected leaders are voting or not voting on very important measures that will likely impact on your lives. About six former and current politicians have indicated their interest to run for governor. Study their decisions, understand their motivations. Vote wisely. Otherwise, the CNMI is doomed to make the same mistakes.
Interestingly, like the governor in the 2005 campaign, nearly all the declared candidates agree that the commonwealth can’t take any more of the same.
