Flashback July 23, 1999-2002

[B]July 23, 1999

New tax incentives get broad support[/B]

Despite questionable provisions, a legislative proposal granting tax exemptions to certain businesses that meet a set of criteria drew wide support from both government and private sectors at a public hearing conducted yesterday by the House Ways and Means Committee. Called the Qualifying Tax Certificate Program, the measure is sponsored by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider to assist the business community in dealing with the current economic crisis through a package of incentives it is seeking.

[B]Poker license fee row: DOF admits oversight[/B]

There is no money available to earmark $806,000 for the Saipan Mayor’s office and other local concerns, according to Finance Sec. Lucy DLG. Nielsen yesterday, as she admitted an oversight by her department when it gave the go-signal to legislators to tap revenues from poker license fees. “If they want to appropriate money from the $2,000 (fee), the money is not there,” she told in an interview. Saipan lawmakers have voted against recalling an appropriation bill pending before the Office of the Governor, sticking with their resolve that more than $800,000 in revenues sourced from poker license fees are available for delegation matters.

[B]7 charged for attempt to enter Guam[/B]

The US Attorney’s Office has charged in the US District Court seven persons who were arrested at Laulau Beach on Monday while allegedly attempting to sail to Guam and enter the island illegally. Prosecutors said the seven were arrested while awaiting the arrival of the 21-foot Bayliner boat that would ferry them to Guam.

[B]July 23, 2001

Referral process polished[/B]

Plans to ensure that government insurance subscribers can avail of needed medical treatment off-island without being asked to pay up front took a step closer to reality after the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund agreed on Friday to execute such a contract with a Honolulu-based medical referral company. The Fund’s Board of Trustees unanimously agreed on a motion to execute the contract that would retain the services of the Hawaii Pacific Medical Referrals Inc., which would facilitate all off-island treatment of Government Group Health and Life Insurance subscribers.

[B]MVA renews plan for Manila-Saipan flights[/B]

The Marianas Visitors Authority disclosed plans to negotiate with three major Philippine airline companies for possible direct service between Manila and Saipan. The meeting, which is scheduled to take place this month, is part of MVA’s effort to beef up its marketing strategy.

[B]New asset inventory policy out[/B]

Ever wonder what happens to old and dilapidated properties of the Commonwealth government, such as tables, chairs, computers, and such? Apparently, the same question has struck the Government Accounting Standards Board, prompting it to issue a new government reporting standard that aims to track down all fixed and capital assets of the government.

[B]July 23, 2002

Where’s federal aid for Rota?[/B]

Rota has yet to be declared a disaster area, even as the first checks for federal disaster housing assistance for Guam go out in the mail today. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Office were scheduled to arrive on Rota late last week to conduct an assessment of the destruction caused by typhoon Chata’an. There was no confirmation from the Emergency Management Office if the FEMA representatives actually arrived, but EMO director Rudolfo Pua confirmed that federal grants coordinator Vicky Villagomez went to Rota before the weekend last week.

[B]Showdown looms in today’s session[/B]

House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider said he still intends to introduce the measure that aims to increase the user’s fee by an additional 1.3 percent during today’s session, despite the opposition of some members of the lower chamber. Besides this, however, Hofschneider declined to issue any other public statements about his reported offer to resign from his post, saying everything will be made clear after today’s session.