Flashback — May 2000-2002

PSS could have done more for education[/B]

Summing up all funding requests that the CNMI government failed to grant the Public School System within the last 13 years, PSS could have spent over $185 million more for public education, according to PSS’ 13-year budget history. Though PSS, which is entitled to 15 percent of the CNMI’s annual revenues, has been getting substantially more than the pegged percentage, major differences can be noted in the system’s budget requests versus what the government actually afforded them. In 1996 alone, the PSS budget history recorded a $44 million difference between its $74 million budget request and the $33 million that was granted to the autonomous agency. This was the year where PSS did not get its full 15-percent guarantee from the government’s total revenues.

House Bill 12-141 proposes to provide administration and compensation of the Municipal Councils, and its members on the islands of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and the Northern Islands and to amend certain provisions of I CMC, Division 1, Chapter 4 (Power and Restrictions of the Municipal Council). Present during the public hearing conducted May 25 on Rota were Rep. Dino M. Jones, chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operation, committee members, Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona, Kelvin T. Atalig, vice chair of the Rota Municipal Council, councilman Joe Rosario and resident directors and other officials. During his privilege speech, Abraham M. Ogo, chair of the Rota Municipal Council, has stressed his unflinching support and position that the proposed bill would retain their capacity to fully exercise their expected responsibilities to their constituents.
[B] May 30, 2001

House overrides Teno’s veto on Rota homestead[/B]

The House of Representatives yesterday overrode the governor’s veto on the proposed Rota Agricultural Homestead Act, which stands to benefit more than 70 families on the island. But the override of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s veto did not come without what seemed hours of arguments between opposing directions at the House of Representatives. Rep. Heinz Hofschneider delivered a strongly worded argument supporting the governor’s recommendations on the proposed measure.

The level of revenues currently generated by the Commonwealth Ports Authority from its aviation division has started showing signs of improvement, empowering its ability to comply with the $20 million airport bond indenture. After falling short to meeting the 125 percent debt coverage ratio requirement in the past, CPA managed to exceed the required debt service coverage by injecting additional revenues from its airport operation in March 2001. A report prepared for the CPA Board of Directors disclosed the 1.25 required debt coverage ratio has been exceeded by 0.47 percent, with CPA posting a whooping 1.72 for the month of March 2001.

Govt exploring options on Tinian ferry woes[/B]

Although he declined to discuss any specifics that could possibly give people false hopes in connection with the interrupted ferry service between Tinian and Saipan, Gov. Juan N. Babauta said his administration is now exploring all avenues to get the service back on track. In the wake of assurances by the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino that the ferry service may perhaps resume this Friday, Babauta said that he has unilaterally initiated moves to look at all possible means to make the service available once more to the people of Saipan and Tinian. “We are now exploring ways to try and get at least one of the two ferries back in operation to service the commuters that depend on the ferries for transportation between Saipan and Tinian, especially those that are linked with the tourist industry and the people of Tinian, as well as the casino industry in Tinian,” Babauta said yesterday. “That’s our main concern.

The Department of Commerce yesterday rallied behind former banking director Oscar Camacho as the next receiver for the beleaguered Bank of Saipan, following the Supreme Court’s decision to remove Randall Fennell from the post. Commerce officials said the department will push for the appointment of Camacho as temporary receiver for BoS. The commerce department touted Camacho’s expertise in banking matters. He has worked for both private banking institutions and the government’s banking agency.