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Ogumoro wants ‘Casino BGRT Account’ to fund DPS, Fire & EMS, education
Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro (R-Saipan) wants to add several more government agencies to possible recipients of gross revenue tax generated from the Saipan casino under casino law and amend the casino law to create a special “Casino BGRT Account” for these funds.
Ogumoro’s House Bill 19-180 adds the Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Northern Marianas College, the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, and 25 percent pension payments to CNMI retirees.
It amends a provision of Saipan casino law on the “disposition of gross revenue tax” to task the Department of Finance secretary with establishing a “Casino BGRT Account separate from the general fund.”
“The funds in the Casino BGRT Account shall not lapse and are not subject to fiscal year limitations,” the amendment reads.
The bill also amends that BGRT under the provision would be deposited under this account.
It deletes “are Commonwealth funds” and adds that the funds shall be appropriated “by the Legislature.”
On the departments of Fire and Emergency Services and Public Safety, the bill says that with the growing population of the CNMI, businesses, and construction of high-rise buildings (hotels and casino), the said departments will need to be equipped with modern equipment, tools, and more manpower to able to perform and function in the new environment.
It also notes how NMC and NMTI will be able expand on training and academic opportunities for the local workforce with additional funding.
The bill also adds provisions to “cover any shortfall in the funding of the 25 percent pension payments to CNMI retirees.”
