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Thanks, governor!
I am sure that all the retirees who are aware of the governor’s plea to the Legislature to “do the work to get retirees their pension bonus” were elated. The governor even said “we have the money” so I’m sure retirees are wondering what in the world the holdup is! The problem is one little four-letter word—work—and who will do the work in drafting the legislation in time to get it to the governor’s desk before the 19th Legislature retires. Wouldn’t it be a great Christmas gift to retirees but the chances of greatness in the CNMI is something we ordinary citizens can only dream about. Officials get salary increases but we retirees get nothing, even though the governor is saying the money is available. Is it really fair to make retirees wait until someone feels like doing the work?
I’m sure all retirees who want their bonuses are thankful to the governor for making it known that we do have the money and that there is no excuse for the money not being appropriated. The bonus ball is clearly in play in the Legislature’s court and one has to ask who was listening to the governor in the Legislature and when or if they will get the legislation done in time for a Christmas disbursement. It is hard enough to get them to listen to us ordinary citizens so seeing the governor speaking to a deaf Legislature on this matter is not too much of a stretch. It has always amazed me at how so many on the Hill can act like they never read the paper especially when it comes to doing the work of and for the people. You would think the Legislature would be moving at warp speed, knowing the money is available to help the people but instead the governor had to beg for us. Thanks governor as asking the Legislature is all you can do, as it’s the Legislature’s job to deliver.
Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman, Saipan
