Senate committee hears testimony supporting Raymond Munoz’s reappointment amid concerns over case backlog and funding

The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on March 12 held a public hearing on Raymond M. Munoz’s reappointment to the Civil Service Commission representing the 3rd Senatorial District. The governor’s representative, John Paul B. Regis, urged the committee to confirm Munoz and highlighted his education and more than 15 years of leadership across education and public-institution roles.

Munoz told senators he is “ready” to continue serving and framed his commitment in personal terms, saying the legislature feels like home because “this is the house that my grandfather built.” He said his priority is modernizing commission policy and protecting government employees during a period of fiscal strain.

Why it matters: Munoz’s testimony focused attention on operational shortfalls at the commission that senators said risk delaying employees’ appeals and exposing the government to liability. Committee members pressed for specifics on funding, training, and procedural safeguards that would speed case resolution and reduce backlogs.

During questioning, Munoz and commissioners said the commission lacks two funded, dedicated positions they consider essential: an administrative hearing officer and independent legal counsel. Munoz told the committee that the commission currently has 21 active appeal cases, and that delays in previous years resulted in multi‑year backlogs after a prior hearing-officer contract expired. “We need a full‑time hearing officer and ... legal counsel,” Munoz said, arguing those positions would ensure impartial procedures and faster, more consistent case handling.

Supporters called Munoz a steady hand. Joseph Patrick Fittio, identified as the commission’s chair, described Munoz as “proactive” and asked senators to reconfirm him. Victoria Simone Velez, a commissioner, said Munoz’s experience helped preserve continuity and praised his commitment to workforce development. The director of personnel, Joseph Pagolina, described policies adopted with Munoz’s input — including a higher‑education leave provision — that allow eligible government employees to receive paid leave to pursue degrees or vocational credentials.

Senators also pressed broader questions about updating the civil‑service salary schedule and modernizing regulations adopted decades ago. Committee members cited earlier citizen‑centric reporting showing a number of active appeals that predate current leadership; one senator noted that many listed cases were seven years old or older. Munoz and senators discussed alternatives to a single FTE — including contracting hearing work to outside law firms — and said any staffing solution should preserve impartiality and minimize conflicts when government agencies are parties.

The committee recorded two routine voice votes during the session — adoption of the hearing agenda at the start of the meeting and a motion to adjourn at the end. The chair said written and oral testimony will be compiled in a committee recommendation for the full Senate to consider.

Next steps: The committee will include oral and written testimony in its recommendation to the full Senate; no committee vote on Munoz’s nomination was recorded today.