It cannot, moreover, provide the public accurate information about how bad the situation is at the power plants. As a letter to the editor recently noted, CUC has been issuing contradictory statements one after the other regarding power outages, the state of the engines, the duration of the repairs and its finances.
What it can and must do is to aggressively pursue all its accounts receivable, which it should have been doing from day one. Because of politics, residential power users are relieved in varying degrees from paying power bills. Some businesses, for their part, may also qualify for deferred payments if they cleverly file a dispute, which usually takes ages to resolve.
CUC now says that it will disconnect the public schools’ power supply because of their nonpayment of bills. Why shouldn’t other delinquent government agencies have their power cut, too? Why single out PSS? Is it the administration’s ploy to beat the Legislature into coming up with more money to cover the school system’s shortfall?
CUC should publish a list of all government agencies that owe payments to the utilities agency, the amounts owed and the duration of accounts receivable so that the public is aware of the widespread nature of this problem. CUC said it is owed $31 million. A rigorous collection should be underway, and it should be done quickly, uniformly and fairly.
About DPL
THERE are reports that the Department of Public Lands is saddled with its own problems. It has, for example, approved land leases with adjustable downward rates, leaving some to conclude that little benefit will be realized by taxpayers. Some point out that after the land leases are secured, no development follows.
Many residents complain that homestead lots are still given to certain individuals even though the program has been suspended for everyone else.
It is clear that special treatment is warranted but under very unique circumstances. The problem is everyone believes that they qualify for special treatment. The public no longer trusts the judgment of their government officials, which compounds the CNMI’s worsening problems.
Lawmakers should resume the public hearings on DPL and its policies. The local people ought to know the real state of the agency tasked to manage their lands.
Pass the elected AG initiative
THE House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations should either report on the status of H.L.I. 16-2 or allow the entire House to vote on it.
The legislative initiative is a proposal that will allow CNMI voters to decide whether they want an elected AG.
Politics should be taken out of the executive branch’s top legal position. The AG should no longer make decisions based on the political needs of the governor. The people of the CNMI deserve an AG loyal to the Constitution. The AG is not the personal attorney of whoever the governor is. The CNMI needs an AG who owes his allegiance to the people, and not a lawyer who offers varied interpretations of law because of shifting political considerations.
The Legislature should pass H.L.I. 15-8 and voters should ratify it.
