Thank you CNMI Senate
A HOUSE member is unhappy that the Senate is “sitting” on 45 House bills. Our initial reaction was, 45 only? Considering that many bills introduced each year are ill-advised and may even create more problems than they intend to solve, lawmakers in both chambers should block the quickie passage of legislation, including those they believe are “critical.” True, several laws enacted on Capital Hill are either unimplemented or unenforceable. Some are practically useless and eventually forgotten. However, there are measures that are likely to be harmful, but are “popular” or are considered “urgently needed” by the political bloc currently in power. And this is why legislative standing committees exist. They’re supposed to thoroughly review all the bills referred to them. They’re supposed to conduct public hearings and solicit comments from the community, including and especially from those who oppose the bills. The first question lawmakers should ask themselves when considering legislation is not why they should pass it, but why they shouldn’t.
The CNMI, mercifully, has a bicameral legislature, which exists to enhance deliberation in — not to expedite — the legislative process.
In any case, on behalf of all taxpayers, we say thank you CNMI senators for “sitting” on House bills, especially the proposed tax hikes that are unlikely to result in additional revenue, but will certainly allow this broke and bloated government to pad its revenue projection and spend more money it doesn’t have.
Instead of complaining about the Senate performing its legislative duty — which is to review legislation before acting on it — the House should stop passing bills like they’re nonbinding resolutions. Both chambers should conduct public hearings on all bills, not just on the controversial ones that have drawn the public’s ire.
Right now, the only measures worth passing are those that can help improve the local economy by boosting tourist arrivals or bringing in new legitimate investments. But then again, are there legitimate investors who would want to do business in small, remote islands in the typhoon alley with a declining economy, shrinking population, pervasive labor shortage, and a tax-and-overspend government?
Speaking of which
ANOTHER House member has noted that the government overspends regardless of its annual funding level. He calls it “ridiculous.” We call it politics. To get elected into office, politicians must promise to “deliver” only the good stuff to their constituents. Good paying (government) jobs with pay hikes now and then. Job security. Paved roads. Free education and/or training. Scholarships. Quality and affordable healthcare. Quality and affordable utilities. Affordable loans. Subsidies. Low prices. More choices for consumers. Low taxes.
Since the U.S. took over the islands close to 80 years ago, government has been the main employer of local residents — i.e., voters. Government expenditures consist mostly of personnel salaries, benefits and retirees’ pension. Government is basically an employment agency for voters. And it is the government’s bloated bureaucracy, with its duplicative agencies and relentless overreach, that fuels inevitable overspending. Government spending is almost always overspending.
And despite the bad economy that has resulted in business shutdowns, work-hour cuts and job losses in the private sector, the new administration and its legislative allies’ preferred solution to the government’s lack of money is to shake down taxpayers.
The administration’s “revenue-generating measures” are anything but. Raising tax rates doesn’t guarantee higher tax collections when the economy is still in a freefall. But these measures would certainly allow the administration to project “higher revenue” in the “near future” and justify the government’s current and obviously unsustainable spending levels.
A lawmaker claims that they’ve already “done cuts.” Maybe. But it’s clearly not enough. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a shortfall.
As for “ideas and not just criticisms,” here are four ideas. Prioritize government spending. Don’t impose additional burdens on taxpayers. Find ways to boost tourism arrivals. And tell voters the truth: there will be no improvement in the government’s financial condition until the local economy recovers.
