Flashback April 9, 2001-2003

[B]APRIL 9, 2001

CNMI to get millions for tobacco-related illnesses[/B]

All tobacco manufacturers will be required to deposit substantial amount of money to a proposed trust fund which will finance future cigarette-related medical services that may be needed by CNMI smokers. The Senate on Friday passed legislation that will require even those who are non-participants to the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement to deposit money into the to-be established escrow fund.

[B]US House leaders’ support in the bag[/B]

House Speaker Ben Fitial yesterday enjoyed another successful day in his visit to Washington DC, having received the support of the powerful US Committees on House Resources and on Appropriations. Mr. Fitial’s second day on Capitol Hill included a meeting with Chairman James Hansen (R-UT), the new leader of the House Committee on Resources, the legislative body with jurisdiction over US territories, including CNMI.

[B]Informed residents beget wise voters[/B]

A measure to assist voters arrive at more informed decisions over any proposed amendments to the CNMI Constitution is in the works in the House of Representatives. On cue for the upcoming November elections, Rep. William S. Torres has introduced an initiative that seeks to make public education a mandatory requirement on any proposed changes to the local Constitution.

[B]APRIL 9, 2002

Hotel industry slowly picking up[/B]

The CNMI hotel industry recorded a slow but steady growth in the first three months of 2002, a positive indicator that the tourism industry is beginning to recover from the adverse effects of the September 11 attacks. The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands yesterday disclosed that hotel occupancy rate in the period covering January-March 2002 registered a slight increase from the same quarter in 2001.

[B]Park touts own water facility[/B]

Dissatisfied with the water supplied by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation with regards to both adequacy and potability, the American Memorial Park is planning to put up its own water facility to supply the needs of the 133-acre park, using federal fund amounting to about $1 million. This was disclosed by Chuck Sayon, the park’s site manager and ranger. The park is an area controlled by the National Park Service, an agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior.

[B]Benavente forms 702 negotiating committee[/B]

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente said he is now forming a five-man committee that would sit down with him during the upcoming Covenant 702 negotiations with the federal government. Besides himself, another member of the committee is Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio, who urged the Lt. Governor Friday that they sit down as soon as possible to map out strategies and possible topics that would be taken up during the negotiations.

[B]APRIL 9, 2003

NMI-wide briefing on SARS launched[/B]

The CNMI Department of Public Health, alarmed over the threat of SARS, posts an advisory at the hospital entrance. CNMI public health officials flew to Rota yesterday to hold medical and logistical briefings about the fast-spreading deadly disease known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS. “They are holding these briefings on Rota and Tinian to educate and best prepare our communities,” said acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente yesterday.

[B]Beyond raising the tax burden of consumers[/B]

Wrap your head around this: There are several ways to stimulate the economy without raising taxes-taxes that inevitably hurt consumers who, sooner or later, absorb these additional tax burdens. Mindful of this economic truism, the nation’s governors have put forward several economic stimulus packages that focus more on how to prime the pump and get their respective economies going without going through the pockets and wallets of their citizens.
[B] Amendment proposed in MRC-govt settlement bill[/B]

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs wants to amend the proposed Marine Revitalization Corp.-CNMI government settlement legislation to reflect an agreement that would benefit not only MRC president Anthony Pellegrino but also MRC’s creditors. Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero views an inconsistency in House Bill 13-267, saying the legislation appropriates $800,000 as initial payment to Pellegrino individually.