Previous Story
Fitial reports on state of Commonwealth today
|
Posted on Apr 20 2006
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is expected to expound on the Commonwealth’s financial situation when he delivers his first State of the Commonwealth Address this morning.
There is also an unconfirmed report that a group of Northern Marianas College students will stage a protest at the joint legislative session.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the administration was aware of the possible protest regarding educational grants.
The 2006 State of the Commonwealth Address will be delivered during a joint legislative session, which begins 10am today. The session will be held at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi Purpose Center in Susupe.
Contrary to tradition, the Legislature will receive not only reports from the governor and the CNMI’s representative to Washington, D.C., but from the lieutenant governor as well.
Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez will speak first. He will provide a special report on the status of the government’s utility agency. The former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has recently been transferred to become a division of the Department of Public Works.
Washington Rep. Pedro A. Tenorio will follow. He will report on activities of his office in the nation’s capital, as well as federal issues concerning the Commonwealth.
Fitial will speak last. “He will give a complete financial picture of the CNMI government right now. The proposal to cut government wages will also be addressed,” Reyes Jr. said.
On the possible protest, he said: “We cannot allocate funds we do not have. The question is whether students are being denied access to NMC because of the lack of funding in view of Pell grants and other funding sources. We need to carefully examine the merits of the protest.”
Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, spokesperson for the House minority bloc, said he hoped the governor would provide a detailed report on the financial situation. “I also hope that he will at least give the people an idea of what his team has come up with regard to fulfilling his campaign promises,” he added.
