The CNMI and the information age

Senator Ramon Kumoi has generously contributed a portion of his official representation fund toward the establishment of an e-mail address for the CNMI Scholarship office. The CNMI Scholarship Office apparently could not afford an e-mail account. Hence, the assistance from the Senator.

More CNMI legislators should follow Senator Kumoi’s example. They should cut back on their exorbitant travel expenses and commit themselves to bringing the CNMI government into the information age.

Consistent with the Open Government Act, all government documents should be scanned and made readily available on the Internet. The CNMI government should establish a comprehensive website and database. Our government should make it easier for all citizens to access public documents online, including CDA loan listings, employee salaries, OPA audits, recorded real estate transactions, and court cases.

Citizens should not have to stand in line and be physically present when they need some information from the government. They should be able to access everything they need online, without having to deal with difficult government bureaucrats. The people should be able to conduct electronic searches for the government information they need.

For example, if I want to read Gloria Hunter’s legislative summaries, I should not have to bother calling her up for a fax, or visiting her office. Mrs. Hunter’s legislative summaries should be posted on the Internet, for journalists, politicians, and citizens to read.

All of PIO Frank Rosario’s press releases, past and present, might also be recorded online. Lynn Knight’s PIO work should also be included.

The government’s website with Saipan datacom is not nearly enough. We need a centralized government database. We need full disclosure. We need electronic efficiency.

Bill Gates recently wrote a book called “Business @ the speed of thought.” Well, we also need government at the speed of business.

The investment we put into building a comprehensive electronic infrastructure will eventually provide many handsome returns. In the long run, the government should save on government
salaries, because we won’t need to pay so many filing clerks, bureaucrats, or PIOs. The
information will go directly to the consumer, without the middle bureaucrat obstructing
progress. The government will also save on paper. Electronic access will make things both
cheaper and faster for business and citizens alike.

Our leaders should take the information age plunge today.