William Kostka responds to PL 22-139

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On June 21, 2022 President Panuelo signs amended sections of Public Law 22-139 to authorize Pohnpei State’s Share of the extra 20% of net taxes collected during this 2023 fiscal year be given to fuel wholesalers which is Vital for the purpose to help cut back prices of fuel for Pohnpei residents, businesses, and everyone who pays for their cash power. This went into effect on November 28, 2022 after President Panuleo signs a regulation issued by Department of Finance as an “EMERGENCY” for fuel subsidy. What the Yap Congressmen do with their collected taxes?

Yap’s share of net taxes will go into FSM Trust Fund What the Chuuk and Kosrae Congressmen do? Decided not to Deposit into FSM Trust Fund, but give to the respective states. What the President and Pohnpei Congressmen do with the fiscal 2023 collected taxes? They implement during election period. Categorize it as "emergency" to make law to help decrease everyone’s cash power bill, that is the Utility Bill.

William Kostka reponds:

As I read this press release, I smile, cry, weep and laugh . I SMILE, because like most residents in Pohnpei, I struggle to pay for my cash power and other essential needs, and this will definitely help relief us from some of our daily struggles for the next 10 months. But I also CRY, for this is a TEMPORARY solution that will cost our poor country around $5,000,000 and will end in September 2023 as stated in this press release. We will then be back to paying the higher cash power prices come October 2023. Maybe if the money was given to PUC, they could use it to buy new generators and/or replace the old lines and other

equipment that have become so inefficient and costly. Or maybe they can invest it in solar or hydro power to lead to more permanent solutions. I WEEP because this act is coming right before the Congressional Elections of March 2023, and I am one of the candidates with no power to use public funds to gain favor with the voters. And finally, I LAUGH for I don't know which of them gets to claim that this is their act/law? Will it be the President or the Congressmen? Can I and other congressional candidates, also claim this? Can we claim that our candidacy has led to them taking this unfortunate decision to gain favor with the voters? I was at Sunday service at Mwalok Church yesterday and was told that God decides who wins elections. I wonder if God instructed the incumbents to pass this law. Vote wisely during election, Pohnpei voters!

CITIZENSHIP CHALLENGED

As the campaign season for the FSM Congress continue, the only candidate challenging the incumbent for Pohnpei election district 3 has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the incumbent's citizenship. The incumbent was not born in the FSM.

According to a KPress article on the matter, "Moses says that the topic of his citizenship comes up frequently and that he has the required documentation. He said that he elected FSM citizenship on January 6, 1995, as did his sister, and utilized the correct forms to do so. He said that he is in the process of filing a motion for dismissal and is anxious to put the matter behind him once and for all.

If these allegations are true, it would invalidate the incumbent's eligibility for the congress seat. Erick Paul then would be the only candidate for the district's seat and be unopposed as nomination petitions have already closed. Mr. Paul is currently the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Finance and Administration for the FSM Government.

Tech Cowboys - Enabling simple technology provide extraordinary results

The Micronesian Navigator is making its Christmas run through the Micronesian islands. It left Pohnpei on Saturday afternoon with last minute added stops in Sapwafik and other additional stops in the Mortlocks.

What is not known to many is that two gentlemen are on the ship headed to install, reinstall and repair radio hardwares and infrastructures in the outer islands. Working against challenges of traveling from Chuuk to Pohnpei on a United Airlines flight to hop on the ship, get supplies and gather tools. Being a team of only 2, they fought the consistent rain in Pohnpei to move sensitive equipment and navigating the long wait in traffic, Bank lines and low stock of supplies.

TR Mori and Mataichy of iSolutions Micronesia are true heroes for the people of our outer islands.