Flashback — April 2006-April 2008

April 24, 2006

Limit monthly spending to $14.62M

The Fitial administration targets to limit government spending to $14.62 million a month in the hope of avoiding more deficits. Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reported that cost-cutting measures implemented by his administration had reduced monthly expenditures from a high of nearly $21 million at the end of 2005, to $18 million in February, and $16.8 million in March. He added that, with only $117 million in revenues available for the period between February and September 2006, the government could only spend $14.62 million a month to avoid incurring a deficit at the end of fiscal year 2006.

Fitial, Tenorio spar over submerged lands

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Washington Rep. Pedro A. Tenorio are at odds over how to proceed with the CNMI’s claim to submerged lands ownership. Tenorio reported to the Legislature on Friday that Fitial had recently asked New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici to withdraw from consideration the CNMI submerged land bill currently pending in the U.S. Senate. Domenici is the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

April 24, 2007

Group to lawmakers: How did you spend our money?

A group of concerned citizens asked senators and representatives yesterday to disclose their expenditures. A letter, signed by nine individuals, was sent to each member of the Legislature requesting full disclosure of all expenditures made by the lawmaker since taking office. The group asked legislative members to include expenditures related to discretionary funds, subsistence allowances, travel, and personnel. The signatories are Eugenio S. Sablan, Roger Ludwick, Sapuro Rayphand, Tina Sablan, Glen Hunter, Martha Mendiola, Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan, Samuel F. McPhetres, and Carmela Sablan. “As you may be aware, the issue of government accountability has been vigorously discussed at recent public forums. Much interest has been expressed, in particular, in the expenditures of our legislators,” the citizens wrote.

Tinian told to continue boiling water

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. yesterday urged Tinian residents to continue boiling their water until test results show that the water supply is free of bacteria. CUC spokesperson Pamela Mathis told Saipan Tribune that, although the Tinian water supply is already being treated, she has not rescinded the boil water notice yet. “I don’t rescind it until I have proof from the lab that the water is clear of both total coliform and fecal coliform,” Mathis said. She said tests were being done yesterday and that it takes a 24-hour incubation period. “So I would not know anything until 24 hours after the samples arrive on Saipan,” she said. Mathis said the water was treated Sunday.

April 24, 2008

Gas tax holiday proposed

A local lawmaker has proposed to reduce gas prices by suspending the liquid fuel tax for two days a month. Rep. Ray Yumul, sponsor of the bill, says the measure would provide immediate relief from the skyrocketing cost of fuel in the Northern Marianas. Yumul’s proposal of a “gas tax holiday” is not unique. Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate for U.S. president, last week floated a similar idea as part of his economic plan. Under Yumul’s bill, the CNMI government will be required to waive the fuel tax for two days each month if the price of retail fuel at the pump is over $4 per gallon. The gas tax holidays will be observed for a 24-hour period on the second and third Friday of each month.

‘Irresponsible’ bills slammed

Two freshman lawmakers decried yesterday appropriation bills passed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. Rep. Edward Salas expressed disappointment that the delegation decided to take money out of a critical drainage project to pay land compensation to certain individuals. “Not to say that these landowners are not entitled to remittances, but the government needs to set its priorities, and currently does not have the means to compensate land owners,” Salas said. Rep. Tina Sablan took issue with the lack of review before the bills were passed. She pushed for the bills to be sent to committee for review, but her request was not heard.