My concerns: Places to get started!

Though by no means fully conversant about the government-at-large and all of the nuances as to how it operates, I do have some concerns about a few selected topics as follows. They are basic, and they just happen to be a few things that initially come to mind. No doubt that many of you have a number of other concerns as well.

For starters, how about a CNMI budget for fiscal 2008-09? The budget represents a “map of many destinations” for all our government expenditures for an entire year. Not many of us would start a journey (for example, across the mainland by automobile) without a map to direct us. If you don’t know where you are going, any road will do. Do we know where we are going fiscally as a Commonwealth? Please show us a map. Come on Governor and Legislature, begin to develop yourselves as servers and leaders and give us a budget. Earn our respect. Give us what is due of any responsible government. The time is now only five more days to New Year’s Day-Fiscal!

CUC is certainly the “ongoing affair.” How to manage it? What’s the projected cash flow for the next year? A sources-and-uses-of-funds document in plain English would be a great start for monitoring the overall reliability of CUC. What are the next kinds of needs for funds to maintain adequate repairs and maintenance? Major capital infusion necessary to up grade? What? When? Who? How much!? Is anybody really in charge?

Since we’re now talking about money, perhaps we should address the legislators’ so-called “discretionary funds.” It sounds a bit mysterious to me. However, I not so long ago witnessed new pavilions constructed at Pau Pau Beach Park. They were badly needed as the old ones were in dangerously ill repair. The new ones appear to be well-built with good materials, as well as having a strong, yet pleasing appearance. I really enjoy and appreciate having the Park restored. At the conclusion of construction and painting a stenciled sign was painted on each pavillion reading, “Project by: Representative Justo Quitugua.” A job well done.

But wait, how do we know it’s a job well done? Although I really don’t have any personal doubts about how the money was spent, some would wonder if there are records that contain such data? Are they available to the people (i.e., public) to look at? And then there are those who might wonder why, instead, it wasn’t included in the funding for parks’ maintenance and repairs? That would seem to be the responsibility of that department. At any rate, some kind of accounting for the discretionary funds and perhaps a report that the public has access to would be valuable in strengthening communications between legislators and the people. It would be some solid evidence of the value of the legislators’ actions, and it would create an opportunity to build trust and meaningful interactions between those elected to serve and the people.

A fourth concern is about the legislative process. Might the process operate in a manner making it a bit more open, honest and fair? Many think so and want some changes, and want them now. The issues that I’ve heard a number of people discuss concern the basic process itself. How is legislation introduced? Is there adequate notice and time for discussions and inputs in the House and Senate? Is due diligence conducted by lawmakers and their staff? Are there planned public presentations, with adequate notice given to the public? Are they scheduled during times and at locations to allow as many of the people as possible a chance to be heard on the issues? Is the process transparent? Are the best interests of all the people served? No doubt, some of you have additional questions.

And lastly it is quite apparent that many people are concerned about the Lt. Governor and what he is doing on a day-by-day basis as he remains in office. Under the circumstances, what is normal and customary for an individual serving in such a trusted elected capacity to do? Is it customary to take a leave of absence (of one form or another)? Does the Governor have any powers that could be invoked? Does the Lt. Governor continue to have contact with CUC and its personnel? It’s all quite confusing.

We’ve all been reminded that our jurisprudence system assumes “innocent until proven guilty.” And as I understand the incident involving the Lt. Governor, one of the four charged individuals has pleaded guilty and is seeking to lessen his penalty by cooperating with the feds. Also, a second one of the four has resigned or retired from a Secretary’s position within the government. The third person is a private citizen, not in the employ of the government. And then the Lt. Governor rounds out the list of four. What’s “appropriate” under the conditions?

Guess that’s it for starters.
[B] Perry Conner[/B] [I]As Matuis[/I]