It believes that raising fees and taxes in a collapsing economy will raise more revenue. It refuses to study the budget and will, once again, rubber-stamp the governor’s submission. For these lawmakers, apparently, the term “check and balance” refers to their paychecks and the balance of their accounts. Their bottom-line is to cling to their overpaid jobs or prepare for a comfortable retirement.
Their theatrics last year resulted in a partial government shutdown that made the lives of ordinary government employees more miserable. The current fiscal year is about to end and they still haven’t passed a new budget — even though they received the governor’s proposal five months ago.
What have they done to improve the CNMI’s economic climate and get the government’s financial house in order?
Here are some of the laws they have passed:
P.L. 17-2, To remove the three legislative days requirements for certain local bills.
P.L. 17-14, To amend Section 2 of Public Law 15-90.
P.L. 17-15, To rename the Natibu Park amphitheater on Tinian.
P.L. 17-20, To amend 8 CMC Section 1331(g) and to repeal and re-enact 8 CMC Section 1332 pertaining to divorce of marriages.
P.L. 17-24, To amend 4 CMC, Division 3, Chapter 3, Article 2 by adding a new § 3327 to require certain CNMI office to provide notary public services.
P.L. 17-28, To amend 4 CMC § 5611(d) to establish a revolving fund to pay for the National Association of Insurance Commissions annual membership dues.
P.L. 17-38, To provide for the care, maintenance and supervision of public cemeteries.
P.L. 17-43, To establish a CNMI Office of Transit Authority within the Office of the Governor.
P.L. 17-50, To amend 1 CMC § 2261(b) to require that student representative to the Board of Education is alternately appointed from all public high schools in the commonwealth.
They also passed the bill that killed the island’s lone driving school which was created by a law earlier enacted to address road safety concerns. (For a complete list of the 17th’s “greatest hits,” see www.cnmilaw.org/public_laws17.php)
Perhaps there are pressing needs for these measures that are beyond the understanding of common folks like you and me, but I wonder what can be more important than an economy in freefall?
But wait. Aren’t they pushing for a revenue-generating proposal, the Saipan casino? So how will casino gaming solve the government’s financial crisis? Because its proponents say so. (Former Bank of Hawaii economist Wali Osman, in an editorial published by the Honolulu Advertiser in 2002, noted: “The economic and financial arguments for adopting some form of commercial gambling…always have been based predominantly on hypothetical conditions. In reality, there have been no viable casino businesses in the dollar-denominated Pacific to offer firsthand evidence of potential success.”) In any case, casino proponents say there is “no other solution.” In La-la land, reducing the size of government and prioritizing public services are not solutions.
Next year, when they seek re-election, expect your lawmakers to disassociate themselves from the inanity and incompetence that are the hallmarks of the 17th Legislature. They will, once again, say what you want to hear, and will dole out the usual favors: picnic tables, tents, cash, promises of jobs or contracts.
I suggest that you nod your head, smile and say, “Thank ever you so much.” Then, come Election Day, for your and the CNMI’s sake, kick the bums out.
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