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Heinz scores ‘exorbitant’ per diem of boards
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Posted on Mar 17 2005
Some government boards pay exorbitant per diems to members, making it appear as if they are in it for employment rather than voluntary work, said House minority bloc congressman Heinz S. Hofschneider.
He cited findings that the Marianas Public Lands Authority board gives out $300 per day of meeting for each member while the Marianas Public Lands Trust pays its board members $500 each.
“It’s no longer a public service. It’s employment! Whatever happened to the spirit of volunteerism and public service?” asked Hofschneider.
Conferring with his colleagues, Hofschneider noted that the prevailing per diem for government board members now is $30 each per day.
Despite this, Hofschneider voted for the proposed Public Utilities Commission yesterday, which provided for a $200 per diem for its members. The proposal, House Bill 14-95, passed on a unanimous vote during yesterday’s session.
The bill, authored by Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez, aims to take away the regulatory functions of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board and merge those functions with that of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission and call the body the Public Utilities Commission. The bill essentially abolishes the CTC but it only changes its name and expands its functions and authorities.
“The main goal is to regulate all utilities under one commission,” said Villagomez.
He said the regulatory body is seen to control rates for water, electricity, cable television and telecommunication services.
Under the present setup, the CUC board singlehandedly sets and regulates utility rates.
This could be “a very confusing, powerful thing,” said Villagomez.
The PUC, he said, would be the agency where customers can complain to when rates are changed.
