Previous Story
Senate expected to okay Karimipour’s nomination
|
Posted on Dec 07 1999
Public Defender Masood Karimipour is expected to get the Senate confirmation on his appointment during a session scheduled today after the senators delayed the approval at their session last Nov. 12.
He was named in October by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to the post which he held in acting capacity following the resignation of former chief of Public Defender’s Office, Harvey Palefsky, earlier this year.
Backed by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes and members of the Senate Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations, Mr. Karimipour is the latest addition to the Cabinet of this two-year administration.
Meanwhile, Mr. Reyes said they are not expected to vote today on the legislation creating free trade zones in the CNMI as Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez is still off-island to accompany his wife for an emergency medical attention.
The measure has been pending with the Senate for nearly three months after Mr. Villagomez blocked final passage of the proposal pending further review its provisions, including the proposed tax break which he said is to be offered by CNMI for a long period without guarantee of benefits to local workers.
Introduced by House Speaker Diego T. Benavente last March, the legislation went through a three-month review by the joint House committees of Commerce and Tourism as well as Ways and Means to incorporate recommendations from the private sector and other public agencies.
It is envisioned as a milestone of the Tenorio administration as the ambitious plan was broached last year amid the worsening economic difficulties confronting the Commonwealth.
The Free Trade Zone subcommittee, which is part of the Task Force on Economic Revitalization composed of business leaders, public officials and lawmakers, fine-tuned the bill to come up with the proposal that would be workable on the island.
