House members’ contractors include Maryland-based lawyer, ex-speakers

Instead of having full-time government employees in their offices, some members of the House of Representatives hire independent contractors that act as office managers, community workers, researchers, or legal advisers. Among these are a Maryland-based lawyer and former House speaker Heinz Hofschneider. At least one member also hires part-time employees, most of them students.

Some do employ full-time government employees and use the services of the Legislative Bureau for research and legal advice. Those with independent contractors pay these contractors from their office or operational accounts.

Rep. Froilan Tenorio (Cov-Saipan) said yesterday that since he became a member of the 17th Legislature, he has hired as an independent contractor Maryland-based attorney David Chan, his legal counsel when he was still governor and now his legal adviser and researcher.

“It’s worth it,” said Tenorio, referring to the $300-$350 an hour rate he pays Chan. He said Chan is instrumental in doing research on, drafting, and amending most of Tenorio’s bills, including his casino bill that the Senate killed last year.

Tenorio, who also served briefly as House speaker, said he used to pay Chan $5,000 to $6,000 a month but later realized he could no longer afford it so they changed it to an hourly rate.

House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan), for his part, hired former speaker Heinz Hofschneider as his researcher since September.

“He’s been working on many bills,” Cabrera said, adding that Hofschneider is one of the most competent researchers or consultants one could have. He said the former speaker is paid $2,500 a month.

Cabrera also has two other independent contractors working at his office on Capital Hill.

Vice speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan) also has a consultant/adviser, former speaker Pedro Deleon Guerrero.

Rep. Ray Tebuteb (R-Saipan) said he has one full-time office manager and one independent contractor serving as a community worker.

“For research and legal advice, I depend on the LB, its counsels, staff and delegation clerk,” said Tebuteb, who also chairs the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.

Tebuteb said lawmakers are able to save on their office or operational accounts by hiring part-timers, and using the funding saved for precinct or community projects.

Hiring full-time government employees requires paying for medical benefits, vacation leaves, sick leaves and all other benefits and privileges afforded to other government employees; whereas hiring independent contractors do not require giving these benefits except the wage rate.

Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan) also avails of the Legislative Bureau’s services in doing research and on legal advice. He has one full-time government employee.

“I can do without a consultant because the Legislative Bureau has been helpful, and my office employee is efficient. They’re all I need. Not only this saves money, but the money saved goes back to the community,” he said.

Rep. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) said she hired five part-time employees, most of them students. Of the five, three are on Rota and two are on Saipan.

“I use my legislative account to hire these employees on a part-time basis. It’s not so much about the savings that I hire them as part-time, but because I want to help as many students or individuals needing a part-time job,” said Santos.

Rep. Trenton Conner (R-Tinian) said he only has one full-time government employee.

House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) said he has two independent contractors.

Floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan), for his part, said he has four full-time government employees.

Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan) also has two regular government employees and one independent contractor serving as office manager.

Rep. Tony Sablan (R-Saipan) has one independent contractor and one regular employee.