Flashback – January 3, 2006-2008

[B][U]January 3, 2006[/U][/B] [B]Dozen-plus violators to face deportation cases[/B]

More than a dozen of citizens the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are going to be slapped soon with deportation cases. These citizens from FSM and Palau have been convicted of felonies and at least two misdemeanor charges on Saipan, sources at the Division of Immigration and the Attorney General’s Office disclosed to the Saipan Tribune. Sources said the government is hoping that the filing of the deportation cases on Friday against Douglas Amaichy Phillip, a Chuukese, and Regis Iyekar, a Palauan, would establish “an important precedent.”

[B]Babauta retires from govt service[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta tendered his retirement from government service last month. As an elected official, though, the governor remains in office until the new administration comes in on Jan. 9. Based on the NMI Retirement Fund’s list, Babauta is among the 179 government retirees in 2005. Although he is not qualified for the 30 percent early retirement bonus since his service exceeds 20 years, Babauta is still believed to be getting quite an attractive retirement package due to his earned credits.

[B][U]January 3, 2007[/U][/B] [B]Less than $500K left[/B]

Less than $500,000 is left of the nearly $5-million revenue that Tinian earned from its casino industry in fiscal year 2006. Financial data from the Tinian Municipal Treasury show that Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, currently the sole casino operating on the island, and prospective casino companies brought in a total of $4.98 million to the municipality’s coffers from Oct. 1, 2005 to Sept. 30, 2006. This includes $4.34 million in casino taxes and $540,305 in application, license, employee, service industry, and device fees.

[B]Reyes, Mendiola lead senators with most bills passed[/B]

Senate Vice President Pete P. Reyes wrote more than a third of all the laws proposed by the 15th Senate. But Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola was just as successful in getting his bills passed and signed into law. Senate data show that Reyes authored 25 of the 70 bills introduced in the 15th Senate since it opened Jan. 9, 2006. During the same period, Mendiola penned five bills. To date, each Senate official has had three of his bills enacted. These include one law that they wrote together—Public Law 15-20, which allows rich foreigners to own a condominium in the CNMI. The two other public laws that Joseph Mendiola authored are P.L. 15-23 or the green energy law, and P.L. 15-24 or the government austerity holiday law. He has one more bill awaiting the governor’s action—Senate Bill 15-62, which relates to the repayment of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation’s debt. His fifth bill, which would allow the attorney general to take some of the functions of the Public Utilities Commission temporarily, is pending before the House of Representatives.

[B][U]January 3, 2008[/U][/B] [B]Another go at Saipan gaming[/B]

Lawmakers are giving the Saipan gaming proposal another try, this time submitting it as a local measure. Outgoing Rep. Jesus SN. Lizama has pre-filed House Local Bill 15-78, seeking legalize certain gaming activities on Saipan. The proposed legislation is virtually identical to the bill that the Senate killed last month. As a local bill, the new version only needs to pass the 21-member Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, and be signed by the governor. Most of the Saipan lawmakers and the governor have declared their support for the gaming plan, which is seen to raise revenues for the island.

[B]NMC assures financial aid for Rota, Tinian students[/B]

The Northern Marianas College wants to reassure its students on Tinian and Rota that there will be financial assistance to help pay for their expenses, including room and board, when they transfer to the Saipan campus. “We are building on the Northern Marianas College’s commitment to ease the transition of Rota and Tinian students,” said NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez. After a thorough assessment of their budgetary requirements, the Rota and Tinian legislative delegations have identified funds that will be used specifically for Tinian and Rota students as they attend classes on the Saipan
campus.