Flashback March 16, 1999-2001

[B]MARCH 16, 1999

Torres: Not too fast[/B] The administration has been warned against entering into a sole source contract for the construction of the $17 million new prison because of potential lawsuit from local contractors. In a letter to Tenorio, former congressman Stanley T. Torres explained rushing into sole sourcing in order to fast track the construction of the jail facility may only court trouble for the Commonwealth, similar to the Hai-tai deal entered into by the previous administration. The construction agreement for the prison facility with the Korean firm, contracted through sole source by former governor Froilan C. Tenorio, was however disapproved by the Legislature on grounds that it was highly questionable. Local contracts have also challenged the deal.
[B] House OKs Senate changes to CIP bill[/B] The House of Representatives is expected to pass in a session today the amendment on a legislation appropriating close to $23 million in capital improvement project funds in a bid to fast-track construction of a new prison on the island. Members agreed yesterday to accept the amendment made by the Senate on House Bill 11-380, including revision of the CIP plan and increase in allocation to Rota and Tinian, so as not to derail the proposed correctional facility. They will also support awarding a sole source contract on the prison as part of the efforts to immediately address alleged deplorable conditions in the Division of Corrections and a series of jailbreaks as well as the recent siege by inmates.
[B] MARCH 16, 2000

Gov’t to assume CUC’s debt [/B] Due to delay in working out a plan to retire more than $100 million debt owed by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Senate stepped in yesterday and passed a measure that will transfer the liability to the executive branch. The move, if approved by the House of Representatives and the governor, will cut short a proposed debt-to-equity conversion scheme being drawn up with the Commonwealth Development Authority, according to its proponent. Under the legislation offered by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, any and all indebtedness of the government-owned utility corporation to CDA shall be transferred to a special account to be created within the Department of Finance.

[B]Fuel price increase impacts shipping costs[/B] In what appears to be a strong indication of higher commodity prices in the next few weeks, a major shipping company yesterday moved to obtain permit that would increase its fuel surcharge in Hawaii and the Mariana Islands. The move by Washington-based CSX Lines to apply for a one percent increase in the shipping company’s Hawaii and Guam tariffs was seen to aggravate the burden carried by CNMI wholesalers who transport items from the U.S. to the islands. CSX Lines is seeking the approval of the Surface Transportation Board to increase the fuel surcharge in its Hawaii and Guam tariffs from 2.25 percent to 3.25 percent effective March 26, 2000.

[B]MARCH 16, 2001

Increase in beverage container tax mulled[/B] The House of Representatives yesterday tossed back to the natural resources committee a proposal that seeks to allocate 50 percent of revenues from the Beverage Container Tax to the government’s solid waste management program. The lower chamber decided to send House Bill 12-041 back to the committee level following contentions by Rep. Heinz Hofschneider that re-channeling money from the general fund to another program is impractical during these days of hard economic times. Instead, Mr. Hofschneider suggested that the Legislature move to increase the Beverage Container Tax by at least .025 cents, which should then be earmarked for the proposed tin can recycling program.
[B] Demapan talked of CNMI legal system in US school[/B] CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan had been invited to speak at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan last Feb, 22. The chief justice’s appearance marks the first time in history that a Supreme Court Chief Justice from the Pacific Rim has spoken at a State of Michigan law school. Mr. Demapan addressed an audience of over a hundred people, consisting of law students, professors, assistant deans, judges, and other justices. Mr. Demapan’s speaking engagement at the law school was arranged through an invitation extended by the 3rd Cooley students on behalf of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.