Flashback – Feb. 2000-Feb. 2002

Feb. 21, 2000

Monthly allowance of Rota, Tinian lawmakers hiked

The House of Representatives on Friday established a higher fixed monthly allowance for legislators from Rota and Tinian, a move that solicited criticism from other government officials in view of the standing austerity program initiated by the administration. House Resolution 12-011, which establishes per diem rate for Tinian and Rota lawmakers, was adopted by the lower chamber of the CNMI Legislature in a vote of 13 yes, three against and one abstention. According to Rep. Antonio M. Camacho, the subsistence allowance previously received by Tinian and Rota legislators are not enough to cover the actual expenses they incur while attending government business on Saipan.

House overrides governor veto on 2 bills

Citing the need to immediately implement the proposed measures, the House of Representatives over the weekend nullified a move by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio rejecting two bills passed by the 11th CNMI Legislature. The lower house overruled the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 11-148 and House Bill 11-493. The proposed measures will be transmitted to the Senate for the upper house’s action. Should the Senate act to also override the governor’s veto, the proposed measures will become law even without the approval of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

Feb. 21, 2001

Plan to extend govt workers’ retirement benefits opposed

Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona is not upbeat with a plan to extend retirement benefits to government employees who retired prior to the enactment of Public Law 6-17 or the Retirement Act Fund. He argued that the fiscal integrity of the Retirement Fund is crucial and no changes should be made to the law, which might threaten the government’s ability to take care of present and future obligations to retirees. “Perhaps I don’t appreciate all the fine points of these proposed amendments, but how do we pay for the retirement fund benefits for the “former employees?” Who pays their contributions?,” Mr. Manglona remarked.

Establishments asked to conform with ADA

A week before the CNMI would proclaim March as the month for persons with disabilities, a Rota resident filed before the US District Court a civil action suit against three Saipan hotels for allegedly violating provisions under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As if on cue, Rita Ramos through her counsel Mark Edward Williams last week filed charges that pray injunctive relief for the failure of three hotel resorts to comply with accessible requirements cited under ADA. Ms. Ramos, a person with severe physical disabilities by virtue of having suffered a stroke, is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, attorney’s fees, costs transportation, and other expenses against Stanford Resort Hotel, Marianas Resort, and Plumeria Resort.

Feb. 21, 2002

CPA’s incentive program working

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has granted CNMI signatory airlines close to $500,000 in total incentives under a program that gives substantial discount in airport charges to carriers that are able to increase their average monthly traffic count. The program offers up to 50 percent discount in airport charges for airline companies that are able to increase their average monthly passenger haul as well as to carriers that are able to serve new markets. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said the implementation of the ports authority’s Airline Incentive Program has translated to about $.5 million in total savings to foreign carriers since its implementation in 1999.

US specialist facilitates seminar on deaf/blind

In line with the anticipated proclamation of March as Disability Awareness Month, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation yesterday hosted a two-day seminar on the “Medical Aspect of Dear/Blindness” at the Hibiscus Room of the Saipan Diamond Hotel. The seminar, which gathers representatives from various government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the Northern Marianas, continues today from 8am to 5pm at the same venue. Houston-based Constance W. Miles facilitates the two-day seminar. Miles, who is associated with the Baylor Medical Center in Texas, is a rehabilitation and special education consultant in the areas of sensory impairments and deaf/blindness.