Flashback — June 2000 – June 2005

June 8, 2000

Abolition of DOF unconstitutional
Legislation seeking to abolish the Department of Finance is unconstitutional, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Transferring the powers and duties of the department to a statutory created Department of Administration as proposed under SB 12-53 must only be carried out through an amendment of the CNMI Constitution. Commenting on the Senate proposal, Assistant Attorney General Elliot A. Sattler said the abolition of DOF, which was created by the Constitution, must be ratified by the public through a legislative or popular initiative.

Senate may widen scope of telecom bill
A bill passed by the House of Representatives seeking creation of a regulatory body for telecommunication firms on the islands will go through closer review in the upper house before it is sent to the floor for voting. Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez, chair of the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee, said he would seek comments again from private companies and the public as part of its deliberation on the legislation. He disclosed that the committee may incorporate a pending Senate bill on a proposed commission regulating entire utilities services in the Commonwealth. HB 12-6, otherwise known as the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act, seeks to establish a five-man commission that will regulate the sector in the CNMI in an effort to lure other potential investors here.

June 8, 2004

Babauta to follow up on Guard unit in Hawaii
From a weeklong trip to Washington D.C., Gov. Juan N. Babauta will stop by Hawaii for two days to meet with local and federal officials to discuss certain issues, including the proposed creation of a National Guard in the CNMI. While in Hawaii, the governor said he would also meet with some staff of the office of Gov. Linda Lingle. Babauta is set to be back on island on Thursday.
In efforts to get the support of the U.S. Congress for the creation of the CNMI’s own National Guard, Babauta formed last month a task force that would determine the viability of the proposal.

PSS holds reading academy for teachers
Some 150 Public School System teachers for 4th to 6th grade are currently undergoing a four-day reading academy in efforts to improve the reading level of their students. PSS language arts and assessment program coordinator Stephen Smith said yesterday the workshop aims to train teachers on scientifically proven methods and strategies in teaching reading to all types of students. In particular, the training aims to equip the teachers on how to handle non-English speaking students, struggling readers, and gifted students.

June 8, 2005

White house seeks local GOP’s aid
The White House Office of Political Affairs has sought the assistance of the Northern Mariana Islands GOP in helping push President Bush’s platform to strengthen Social Security and the economy, passing an energy bill, and a strong dedication to winning the war on terror. In a letter to local GOP chair Juan S. Reyes, Sarah M. Taylor, deputy assistant to President Bush and director of Political Affairs in the White House, also emphasized the re-election victory of Bush and the Republican majority in the U.S. Congress and across the state government. The White House also named Annie Mayol in the White House Office of Political Affairs as the contact person for the Northern Mariana Islands.

House wants power privatization program
Hinting of secret negotiations that could take place on power privatization, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial asked CUC if the awarding of a contract to an independent power producer would result in any potential financial liability or debt for the government. At the same time, Fitial expressed interest in the Legislature being involved in the ongoing efforts to privatize power.

He reiterated that the CUC, under the Constitution, cannot incur any public debt without the Legislature’s approval. CUC consultant Harris Group earlier estimated that the privatization of power would cost some $364 million over 20 years. Fitial also asked for the most recent financial audits of the two leading IPPs: Telesource and Rolls Royce, represented locally by Pacific Marine and Industrial Corp. Earlier, the House speaker wrote Bank of Guam, warning of potential constitutional liabilities if it allows the government to tap into a $10 million letter of credit without legislative approval. He said the Constitution also prohibits the creation of public debt for government operating expenses.