Part-time legislature gets more support

Local residents, including business and community leaders, have expressed their support for the creation of a part-time legislature in the CNMI

“It’s a very interesting idea. It’s obvious that it can be done because other jurisdictions have done it, including Hawaii. The idea of saving money is what the chamber finds very acceptable,” said Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Alex Sablan.

He said he hopes that the Legislature calls for public hearings to allow people to speak on the issue.

Rep. Claudio Norita introduced last week House Legislative Initiative 14-8, which aims to make the CNMI Legislature a part-time lawmaking body and thereby save some $3.2 million for the government.

As a result, lawmakers would not receive their annual salary of $39,300 each. Instead, they would be paid $120 if they attend a session and $60 per committee meeting. Off-island lawmakers get $100 for airfare and $175 per diem.

Currently, the Legislature spends over $5 million every year.

Retirement Fund board chair Joseph Reyes said the proposal “is something worth looking into.

“His [Norita’s] idea is a very, very valuable proposal. But if you ask, I’d not just go for part-time. I always believe that the CNMI should have a unicameral legislature to save money. The CNMI is too small for a bicameral system,” Reyes said.

James Lee, 24, said Norita’s initiative “is a great idea.”

“I think they should do that. They better do something from inside as well because we often hear about austerity measures but they’re not doing it themselves so it’s refreshing to hear it from a lawmaker who wants to start from them,” he said.

He said payment by attendance in sessions and hearings is “very good.”

Meantime, businessman Juan S. Tenorio said Norita’s proposal “will not work here.”

“There would always be a conflict of interest if you allow these guys to earn their living. You’d see conflict left to right,” said Tenorio, who had served as member of the Commonwealth Development Authority board for about 20 years.

Tenorio, in fact, thinks the current salary of lawmakers is small. “They should increase their salary,” he said.

Earlier, majority senator Paul Manglona and minority leader Senator Pete P. Reyes said they would support Norita’s initiative.

Reyes said that aside from making it a part-time legislature, lawmakers’ term should also be limited.

But Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano said he would favor shelving the measure when it gets to the Senate.

The initiative, if passed by both houses, would be placed on a ballot in the 2005 general elections.