Transparency in your government

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to join in the on-going conversation regarding our Commonwealth’s future.

Some of the feedback I hear and read carries with it the concern about perceived indecisiveness on the part of your elected officials. There has been a fair amount of discussion about the administration “changing its mind.”

What you are actually witnessing is real transparency in your government. Information about legislation and organizational changes being explored by the legislature and the executive branches of your government are available to you earlier in the planning process than you are accustomed to. This is quite deliberate. By making these ideas public early in the planning process, we are inviting everyone who lives in the CNMI to voice their opinions. This dialog is valuable and welcomed. Your input then becomes part of the research and fact gathering that goes into a decision about a particular area of interest.

The accumulation of all of the research, including your input, sometimes will mean that an idea will be scrapped, and other options explored to attain a particular goal. This is a good thing. This is an indication that stubbornness and egos are not driving this administration.

The press is doing a good job of reporting on bills submitted as they are filed in the Legislature. Ranking officials in the government are sharing their views in the media on a regular basis. Opinions and letters to the editor show that people are watching, listening and responding to the issues that are shared and discussed, every day.

You are sharing in the work-in-progress we call our Commonwealth. I applaud our Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive Branch for being so willing to explore more than one way to achieve a goal, all out in the open, and under public scrutiny.

This can be a somewhat angst-ridden way to conduct business. Sometimes we get communications from people who are pretty passionate about a particular subject. However, the advantage I see is that every individual has a better opportunity to consider issues that are being examined. Each person has more time to collect their thoughts and facts and communicate them to our elected officials before decisions are made. This is very helpful.

In defense of our Governor, there is no “operator’s manual” that explains exactly how to successfully administer a government. If there was, we would not need a governor. Our Commonwealth has its own unique set of circumstances. The solutions are not something that can be purchased off a shelf in a store.

I was surprised at the State of the Commonwealth Address when Governor Fitial did not address any issues except the financial and economic situation. I do, upon reflection, understand why. The situation is serious. The financial information needed to be presented and everyone needed to hear it all, and understand what it meant. Governor Fitial accomplished that. It was an excellent report about the first 100 days. He was organized and clear. I do not envy him the job.

Personally, I was also hoping to hear from Lt. Governor Villagomez some word that the CUC is looking for ways to produce power from renewable energy sources. I feel this is an essential component of the long-term economic survival of our Commonwealth.

I had to remind myself that the presentations were about only the first 100 days, out of 1,460. That is only 7 percent of a four-year term. To their credit, in those first 100 days the administration has identified and acknowledged many serious financial and economic issues, dealt with some, strategized solutions for more, and launched investigations to find answers for others. Most of the issues have been years in the making. It will take more than 100 days to find and implement solutions.

I do not always agree with the choices the Legislature makes, or the directions the Executive branch takes. That is the privilege, responsibility, and joy of a democracy. Certainly it makes for lively discussions, at the governor’s meetings, and in a Senate session. That is the point. Participating in a democratic government means that all points of view are heard and considered. Generally what comes from this ongoing dialog is a consensus that ultimately serves the greater good. If you can spare the time, you might attend a Senate or House session. I think you will be surprised to find just how human and candid your elected representatives are while trying to work their way to good solutions for what are often very difficult problems.

Sometimes, especially these days, new laws and policy changes may have short-term negative impacts on everyone in the Commonwealth. Making the necessary decisions to stop the government’s deficit spending problem is a good example. The government must choose courses of action to stop the deficit spending. No matter what, every person in the Commonwealth will feel the impact, and no matter what, that impact will not be distributed evenly.

What is so encouraging is that we are facing the realities of our financial situation, instead of ignoring it. Clearly, this can only mean that we will get back on track sooner.

So, if you are wary, or even upset about the changes occurring on Capitol Hill these days, consider making a list of the issues from this year’s State of the Commonwealth Address. During the next 12 months, stay informed, keep your representatives informed. At next year’s State of the Commonwealth address, we will all be looking to see what sort of progress, or not, has been made.

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Maria Frica T. Pangelinan is a senator in the 15th Legislature.