Froilan to hold back own casino initiative

Rep. Froilan Tenorio (Cov-Saipan) is now holding back his own Saipan casino initiative and is instead supporting the Fitial administration-backed initiative to avoid confusion among voters and in the spirit of cooperation. If the initiative gathers 2,500 to 2,700 signatures, the question of having a casino industry on Saipan would be placed on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“I decide to endorse the casino initiative that the administration helped draft,” Tenorio told Saipan Tribune in a phone interview.

He said he’s disappointed to learn that the administration was coming out with its version of the initiative different from his own, which he thinks is a “better” one.

“But I don’t think it’s a good idea to have two casino initiatives, that’s why I’m holding back my own,” said Tenorio, who has already signed the administration-supported initiative.

Tenorio said, however, that he would launch his own initiative if and when he sees that the Fitial administration-backed initiative won’t be able to muster enough votes to be placed on the ballot.

Pro-casino individuals led by retiree Dr. Jack Angello began a campaign to start gathering signatures to ensure that the Saipan casino initiative backed by the Fitial administration will be on the ballot.

Tenorio, a former governor and speaker, earlier raised concerns about the Fital administration initiative, including its $5 million license fee that Tenorio said is not enough to help restore 80 work hours and save the Retirement Fund. Tenorio wanted a $10 million casino license fee.

His initiative would have also revived the earned income tax credit, which was scrapped in the late ‘90s as part of efforts to reduce the CNMI government’s financial obligations.

Angello, in a separate interview yesterday, said he appreciates the former governor’s support of what he calls a “people’s initiative.”

“So we want the public to know that there’s only one casino initiative, which was put together based on the six public hearings and comments from businesses and outside experts. We would like to thank the support of the governor and the lieutenant governor, the House and senators [Pete] Reyes and [Luis] Crisostimo. We also thank those who have already signed it and encourage others to sign it too,” he said.

In about two weeks, there will be another gathering at the Carolinian Utt where community members can sign the petition.

Angello said at the time, they would have preliminary data as to the number of signatures so far gathered to be able to put the question on the ballot. He said they need 2,500 to 2,700 signatures.