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Time to revisit part-time Legislature
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Posted on Apr 17 2006
The financial crisis currently facing the CNMI government merits a revisit of the previously proposed part-time Legislature, according to House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta.
The speaker said yesterday that he would bring up the issue at the House leadership meeting on Thursday.
“I personally support the idea, considering that I love to work for the private sector myself. I will discuss the issue with the leadership and see what their position is. The financial situation of the Commonwealth warrants discussion of this issue,” Babauta said.
A downsizing of the Legislature was one of the recommendations offered by community members in a public hearing on the wage reduction bills on Wednesday evening.
Government employees dared the lawmakers to cut costs by reducing the number of seats in the Legislative Branch or by giving up some of the incentives they currently enjoy.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said yesterday that the administration was still interested in replacing the current system with a part-time Legislature.
Rep. Clyde Norita introduced a similar measure in the 14th House of Representatives, but it was defeated.
The initiative sought to amend Article II of the Constitution to get rid of the lawmakers’ annual salary of $39,300 and reduce their operational funds from $155,000 to $50,000 each.
In his proposal, Norita said that making the CNMI Legislature part-time would result in a $3.2 million savings for the government.
Under the proposal, the salary of the legislators will be fixed and would be based on their attendance: $120 per session and $60 per committee meeting.
Rota and Tinian members get airfare allowance and $175 per diem per session.
Right now, each off-island members receive a $5,000 allowance every month, on top of their $39,300 salary. Committee officials, presiding officers and their deputies also receive additional funding.
The Legislature currently has a budget of $5.2 million a year.
