FLASHBACK – August 9, 2011

NMC tuition competitive with other Pacific colleges [/B]

Compared to other two-year colleges in the Pacific, the Northern Marianas College offers a fairly competitive tuition rate, according to an in-house study commissioned by the college. Based on a survey of nine Pacific community colleges, NMC ranked 3rd among colleges offering the lowest resident student tuition rate at $65 per credit. The College of the Marshall Islands is recorded to have the highest tuition rate for its resident students at $95 per credit. Other state colleges in Hawaii, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia offer an average tuition ranging from $40 to $60 per credit.

Passage of two new laws by the state of Hawaii—the medical privacy law and legalized medical marijuana use—is causing confusion regarding the implications for federal regulatory requirements. The bottom line is : federal drug and alcohol testing regulations will not be affected. Hawaii’s medical privacy law does not change the requirements established in federal regulations. Mariners are still subject to drug and alcohol testing and marine employers must continue to report the test results to the Coast Guard. Violation of these regulations may subject individuals and companies to civil penalties.

BOE runs to Inos’ defense[/B]

Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos did not violate existing policies of the Public School system and the CNMI Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations. The clarification came from top officials of the State Board of Education who decided to put its foot down to end malicious talks being circulated by partisan politicians regarding Inos’ candidacy and leave of absence. The BOE came to the rescue of the embattled commissioner to clear the air in response to calls of several Republican Party candidates for Inos to relinquish her post. The board emphasized that Inos’ request for leave of absence was in compliance with the existing administrative regulation.

The House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication has recommended the passage of a bill that would suspend the collection of excise taxes on telecommunication machinery and equipment intended for Rota. According to panel chairman Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, his committee recommended the passage of House Bill 12-056, also known as the “Excise Tax Abatement Act of 2000,” after finding out that it is a replica of Public Law 11-123, which was passed by a two-thirds vote of the Eleventh Legislature in 2000. The measure’s author, Vice-Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola Jr., had moved for the suspension of the excise tax on telecommunications equipment going to Rota, saying this will facilitate the installation of equipment necessary for the health and welfare of the people of Rota.

NMHC discourages use of tin roof[/B]

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. has stepped up inspection processes to uplift the living conditions of many CNMI residents who are still dwelling in below-standard housing requirements. The NMHC also discouraged families from using substandard construction materials such as tin roof, as well as underscored the importance of proper bathroom facilities. NMHC executive director MaryLou S. Ada said onsite visitations have been stepped up in recent months, adding that the agency has improved housing programs in the CNMI by providing low-income families with affordable and decent residential units.

The Babauta administration has been reprogramming funds to support the needs of the Commonwealth Health Center, but it remained unclear whether or not the Department of Public Health’s spending level already exceeded the $31-million appropriation for this fiscal year. Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider said that there will be no interruption of health care, services as well as the work hours of its employees, even if the department had recently divulged that its spending level was already close to the budget level. Ironically, though, the secretary revealed that the department is currently reviewing its staffing to identify non-essential positions. Hofschneider said, however, that there would be no reduction in manpower.