SABLAN&STAFFLER


FOR CNMI GOV. AND LT. GOV 2022



A Responsive, Transparent, and Ethical Government



Public service is honorable work, and the people of the Marianas deserve a government that is responsive to their needs and staffed by well-trained, ethical, and professional public servants. All members of the public should be treated with courtesy, respect, and fairness when they call, write, or walk into any government office. Government employees must also be treated with respect by their supervisors, public officials, and constituents. Departments and agencies should be led by ethical, qualified, and committed public servants who genuinely care about helping people. We envision a government workforce that delivers high-quality customer service and efficiency, and a government personnel system that attracts talent, ensures fairness and due process, values feedback and professional development, and rewards excellence.



Training for All Cabinet Members, Board Appointees, and Employees of the Executive Branch





We will require training in government ethics, the Open Government Act, workplace rights, and customer service for all cabinet members, board appointees, and employees of the executive branch. Employees and officials of the legislature, judiciary, and autonomous agencies will also be invited and encouraged to participate. Such training will be part of the onboarding process for new hires and appointees, and required on an annual basis for incumbents.



Protecting
Whistleblowers





Individuals who report misconduct in government, including any illegal or unethical activities, will be supported and protected in our administration, and we will push to enact legislation to further enhance whistleblower protections in the law.



Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement



We value feedback, and creating a culture of continuous improvement in government requires ongoing educational opportunities and periodic evaluation to foster growth and collective efficacy. All departments of the executive branch will be required to prepare and implement an annual plan for professional development and evaluation that includes employees, division managers, and department heads. Employees will have the opportunity to evaluate their supervisors and make recommendations for improvement, and vice versa. At the cabinet level, we will encourage open dialogue and collaboration among departments to increase efficiency, improve service quality, and reduce duplication of effort. As governor and lieutenant governor, we will also establish a system for periodic evaluations of our own performance, from cabinet members, government employees, and members of the public.



Government Websites Inform and Engage





All departments of the executive branch will be required to have an online presence that includes at a minimum the following: the department’s mission and priorities; information about divisions and programs; relevant statutes and regulations; leadership and staff; contact information, office hours, and location(s); solicitations for proposals; employment opportunities; budget and financial reports; Citizen-Centric Reports, meeting minutes, and other relevant reports; a calendar of events, notices of public meetings, and agendas.



Expanding E-Government





We will prioritize and accelerate the digitizing of all government permit and license applications and renewals, including the ability to pay fees and submit reports and forms online. Making these processes easily available online will save time and money for both government and constituents, and free up resources for greater productivity.



Transparency in Government Spending



We will publish online the government’s budget submissions, reports of the Department of Finance and Office of Management and Budget, bid solicitations, major government contracts awarded, and regularly updated government revenue collections and spending data, including allocations of federal funds.



Empowering Citizens



Good governance requires citizens to be informed and engaged in improving their community and holding their government accountable. We will establish a Civic Leadership Academy, to train Marianas citizens in the various functions and services of government, and to equip them to become more actively involved in the community and more effective advocates for the issues they care about and for others in need. We will also establish an information line, to be operated by trained referral and resource specialists, to connect residents with essential community services, and help residents help each other.



OUR PLATFORM