Bill reducing Tinian casino commissioner’s salary signed into law

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has signed into law a Senate local bill that clarifies the term in office of a commissioner of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission and reduces commissioners’ compensation from $75,000 annually to $55,000.

Torres informed Tinian and Aguiguan Legislation Delegate chair Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian) and Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) last Friday that Senate Local Bill 21-11, Draft 1 is now Tinian Local Law No. 21-16.

The bill was passed by the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation of the 21st Legislature last Dec. 23.

Under the bill, the commission shall be composed of members appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the Tinian Municipal Council.

The commissioners shall serve a term of six years except that, upon the first five appointments, two shall serve six-year terms, two shall serve five-year terms, and one shall serve a four-year term, to be determined by a drawing of lots by the members after their confirmation.

A person shall not serve more than one term as commissioner.

A commissioner’s term shall start on the day of his or her confirmation by the Tinian Municipal Council. Upon the confirmation, a contract shall be executed that reflects a six-year term in office.

Commission members shall elect from among themselves a chairman and a vice chairman to serve a term of two years. The chairman and the vice chairman may be re-elected.

Each member shall receive compensation of $55,000 annually from a budget adopted by the commission for its operations and approved by the Tinian Legislative Delegation. The $55,000 compensation shall apply to new commissioners.

No commissioner shall be given fringe benefits. All members of the commission shall have paid or be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including expenses of travel outside Tinian.

The members of the commission are not employees of the commission or the Commonwealth government.

Hofschneider introduced the bill after finding that there has been considerable confusion and debate regarding the commencement of the term of office of a commissioner under a previous local law.

Casino revenues on Tinian have greatly diminished since the closure of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino. Although there are other casino licensees, they have not been able to build an operational casino facility at this time. As a result, Hofschneider said, the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission revenue collections have dwindled and major cost-cutting measures have been implemented to offset the loss.

Hofschneider said more cost-cutting measures such as the reduction of the salaries of the commissioners and elimination of fringe benefits are necessary to keep the commission open during these difficult economic times.