SNILD taps $1M from casino license fee for cultural center

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has tapped a sum of $1 million from Saipan casino annual license fees for various precinct projects on Saipan and for a feasibility study for a Northern Marianas Cultural Center, among others.

The Saipan casino pays out $15 million for its annual exclusive license fee and the casino law sets $1 million aside for appropriation by SNILD.

The Saipan lawmakers, through House Local Bill 19-30, S1, D8, appropriates $475,000 for the cultural center feasibility study; $50,000 for the “Refaluwasch in the Marianas” celebration; $73,000 for the repair of facilities at the Northern Marianas Trades Institute damaged by Typhoon Soudelor; $50,000 for SNILD operations; $19,570 for the Office of Governor for reimbursement of the CNMI All-Star Senior Division’s participation in the 2018 Asia Pacific Regional Tournament; $22,6000 for the Saipan mayor for the payment of outstanding amounts owed to IT&E; and $26,625 for the CNMI Boys’ U17 National Teams to compete in the upcoming Micronesian Basketball Confederation 17U Western Division Basketball Tournament.

The local bill also appropriates $106,241 for the repair and drainage and resurfacing of Tuturam Road in Precinct 1, $106,241 for a drainage system, for pathways and sidewalks, renovation of social halls and basketball courts, rehabilitation of Pacho’s Park and Sugar Dock, and for the construction and instillation of stop signs within the villages all located in Precinct II.

It also sets aside $106,241 for the As Falape Road water booster pumps in Precinct III; $40,000 to procure and install water pumps, water lines, and any additional materials needed in Precinct IV; $56,266 for the repair of roads in Precinct IV; $9,975 for the renovation of the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School entrance walkway; $45,000 for the repair and upgrade of the Kagman Elementary School baseball field in Precinct V; and $71,241 for the Saipan mayor for the procurement of a heavy truck.

Some $15,000 is also appropriated to the Inetnon Amot Yan Kutturan Natibu/Mwischil Safey Me Kkoor Aramasal Faluw to continue editing the update/revised Chamorro-English Dictionary; $5,000 for the Inaugural year of the Marianas Trench Fishing and Seafood Festival; $47,000 for the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council for building repairs; $20,000 for the mayor of the Northern Islands to fund the “Too Beautiful to Bomb” film project; and $55,000 to the Division of Parks and Recreation for a pickup truck, for procurement of riding mower parts and maintenance accessories, and trash receptacles.