Previous Story
Retirees, active employees seen to boost signature drive for casino
|
Posted on May 08 2012
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Saipan casino proponent Dr. Jack Angello said yesterday that some 1,000 signatures have already been gathered to help place the question of Saipan casino gaming legalization on the Nov. 6 ballot, but they are only halfway to meet the target of 2,500 to 2,700 signatures.
Angello said the group is now looking to retirees and active members of the NMI Retirement Fund to help boost the number of signatures.
He said they will be setting up a table at the meeting place of retirees and active members tonight.
“Hopefully there will be no objections from the coordinators of the meetings,” Angello said.
The Commonwealth Retirees Association will hold a meeting tonight, 6pm, at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Active members of the NMI Retirement Fund will also have a meeting at 6:30pm tonight at the Memorial Park Amphitheater.
By signing the petition, voters will help place the Saipan casino question on the ballot.
Movers of the signature campaign said that, by allowing casinos to operate on Saipan, 80-hour work every two weeks could be restored.
Angello said that local revenues, license fees, and gross gaming revenue tax will be used to help fund the Retirement Fund, the medical referral program, the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance, and other programs and services on Saipan.
The 22-page local initiative requires a $5 million initial license fee to be paid within 90 days after the license approval and $200,000 in annual license fee every year thereafter.
Three casino licenses are available: two for an existing hotel with at least 250 guest rooms, golf club resort or resort, and one for a new investment of at least $100 million inclusive of a hotel resort or convention center. One other casino license is also available to a Northern Marianas descent corporation.
