No to part-time legislature

A committee report recommending a part-time legislature in the CNMI failed to pass the House of Representatives yesterday after members of the minority bloc voted against it.

After a long deliberation, Standing Committee Report 14-134, which reported on House Legislative Initiative 14-8 or the proposed part-time Legislature, was defeated with nine “no” votes and eight “yes” votes at yesterday morning’s House session.

Leading the opposition group was Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider who considers the proposal “a self-insult.”

Hofschneider said that adopting the report, which was prepared by the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, is admitting that lawmakers “are inept and incapable of delivering effective service.”

He said a more important question must be asked: “Is it the system that is really at fault and allows us not to do an efficient and effective representation? Each of us must individually assess [ourselves] because if you vote for this, you’re admitting that you’re inept.”

The initiative, authored by first-time congressman Clyde Norita, aims 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.

In yesterday’s session, Hofshneider dared proponents of the measure to “try reducing your budget first.”

“Give it a try, a test for a year. Try to spend $50,000 a year and see if you can effectively do your work serving your constituents, then come back here and report [on it],” said Hofschneider.

The lawmaker noted that the Constitution actually does not force a lawmaker to get the whole $155,000 in annual operations budget. He said a member can freely give up their excess funds without amending the Constitution.

Rep. Joseph Deleon Guerrero agreed, saying the initiative’s proponents should present “a more substantive argument other than the cost.”

He said the proposed part-time Legislature—as presented—would only open up lawmakers to influence peddling and conflict of interest.

“This is going to be a ‘special interest’ Legislature,” he said, citing that the set-up would require a lawmaker to find another job for survival.

The present set-up, he said, is more ideal because “we are employed by the people of the CNMI. Therefore, we’re indebted to the public. We’re here not for any special interest but for the common good of the people.”

Minority leader Arnold Palacios said amending the Constitution is not easy. “There should be a compelling reason to do it,” he said.

Meantime, Hofschneider said that part-time Legislature is certainly a popular idea among the people.

“If you give it to the people, they will vote for it. The thing is, if $155,000 is too much for you, then give it back to the Treasury,” he said.

Norita said lawmakers should learn to trust the voters. “Why worry? Let’s give it to the people to decide.”

“We are not inept. The measure gives us space to improve. Let’s go for it,” he urged.

Norita said that yesterday’s defeat of the committee report “is not the end of [the initiative].”

He said the House has yet to decide on the initiative. The minority bloc members agreed, saying another committee report may be submitted for adoption again.