A proposed bill seeking to exempt members of the Legislature from an existing law on car window tint is \u201cunnecessary\u201d and should be the \u201cthe very least of lawmakers\u2019 concerns,\u201d according to a couple of House representatives.<\/p>\n
The Senate on Friday passed several bills, one of which is Senate Bill 19-28, introduced by Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian). S.B 19-28 seeks to exempt vehicles used by elected officials from window tinting restrictions and government license plate requirements.<\/p>\n
According to the proposed bill, \u201cthis will ensure that elected officials cannot be easily attacked while traveling on the road or in a parked vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan), however, \u201ctinted windows should be the very least of our concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have serious problems with this bill that will exempt elected officials from car window tinting. If security is a concern, then why do we have no security up at the Legislature? Anyone can walk in to the House or Senate anytime. There is no screening whatsoever,\u201d Propst said.<\/p>\n
The lawmaker added that while this may upset his colleagues in the Senate, \u201cI cannot in good conscience support this bill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not feel comfortable supporting any bill that gives public officials special privileges over the very people we were elected to represent. As public servants, we must ensure that the same laws that apply to our constituents must also apply to us equally,\u201d Propst said.<\/p>\n
Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) said he is also \u201csurprised\u201d about the passing of the bill in the Senate. \u201cI don\u2019t see the urgency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI respect the Senate, whatever decisions they make, but for me, officials are already being given privileges. What more do we want?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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