Flashback – July 13, 1999-2001

[B][U]July 13, 1999[/U][/B] [B]$100K earmarked for legislators’ pet projects[/B]

In a move that will satisfy those seeking public offices, nearly $100,000 in remaining funds from earlier appropriation measures have been earmarked by the government for two pet projects of the Legislature in time for the November midterm elections. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has signed into law two bills passed by lawmakers that have set aside some $91,240.22 for the construction of drainage and road paving on central Saipan as well as $8,000 for the San Roque basketball court and outdoor stage. Both measures were offered by members of the House of Representatives for Precinct 3 and Precinct 4, respectively.

[B]AG warns anew against ‘Nigerian scam’[/B]

The Attorney General’s Office is warning the public that the operators of the so-called “Nigerian Scam” may be active again in the Commonwealth, but this time through Internet solicitation. According to a news release issued by acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara, at least one individual on Saipan received an e-mail, supposedly from a high-ranking Nigerian army officer, soliciting the receiver’s assistance on laundering several millions of dollars in bonus the sender had supposedly received from the former Nigerian military government. This “Nigerian Scam” can take several forms. Sometimes, it originates with a letter to a potential victim promising large sums of money for doing “favors” for the sender. Many of these letters have originated from Nigeria, hence the name.

[B][U]July 13, 2000[/U][/B] [B]Review tax incentive act[/B]

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Director Tee Abraham has aired concerns regarding a house legislation aiming to provide tax credit to employers who hire individuals with disabilities. Although mindful of the bill’s good intentions, Ms. Abraham recommends a thorough review of the legislation, citing the initiative could lead to abuse of the proposed tax incentives. The bill otherwise known as the “Hire the Handicapped Tax Incentive Act of 2000” aims to grant every business or employer who hires or employs a person with disability a tax deduction form their tax or gross revenue in an amount which will equal the wages or salaries actually paid to the employee with disability.

[B]FSM urged to open market to outside investors[/B]

The Federated States of Micronesia should start taking aggressive steps to enforce institutional reforms and a commitment to promote private sector growth in order to encourage the entry of foreign capital into the country, according to Bank of Hawaii senior economist Dr. Wali Osman. In a recent Bank of Hawaii report, Dr. Osman, an expert who looks at the region’s economic trends, proposed that FSM policy-makers adopt an economic change strategy based on two principal parameters. Dr. Osman said FSM should adopt an institutional reform, and an explicit and irrevocable commitment to market principles and openness that will encourage the flow of outside capital to the country’s market.

[B][U]July 13, 2001[/U][/B] [B]Government urged to cut payroll[/B]

The business sector yesterday urged the government to reduce its bloated payroll to maximize use of public funds. Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Richard A. Pierce, in an interview yesterday, said a 10-percent reduction in the government’s personnel costs can help address funding problems in other areas like retirement contributions and scholarship programs. The government owes the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund some $60 million. The NMIRF said the government has failed to remit its share of the employees’ contribution since 1999. Recent reports also claimed that funding shortfall threatens the Public School Systems’ kindergarten program.

[B]Retention of vocational program at NMC urged[/B]

Education officials have expressed opposition to the proposed separation of vocational education from the jurisdiction of the Northern Marianas College during yesterday’s public hearing on a legislative initiative proposing to do so. In a letter sent to the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee On Education, Kagman Elementary School principal Ignacia T. Demapan said the NMC must continue with its mission and responsibility of providing vocational and technical education, which she says is critical to the development of skills necessary for satisfying careers.