Expectations on Inos’ first SOCA today

A sense of direction and strong leadership are among the things that lawmakers anticipate as they listen today to Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ first State of the Commonwealth Address before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Inos, a former lieutenant governor, became governor when Benigno R. Fitial resigned amid an impeachment process on Feb. 20, 2013.

The controversial Saipan casino law and application process, now under court litigation, won’t be front and center in his SOCA, but Inos said it would be a part of discussion on revenue-generating measures.

He said even if the current lawsuits against the Saipan casino are resolved, “it doesn’t mean there won’t be any more lawsuits.”

Rep. Trenton Conner (Ind-Tinian) said yesterday he would like to hear Inos say “how he is leading things forward while rectifying the wrongs.”

“I would like him to give us an [update about the] CNMI’s financial condition; his plan of action with regards to where we need to be,” said Rep. Ralph Yumul (Ind-Saipan).

Yumul also hopes that there won’t be a casino “lecture.”

Rep. George Camacho (R-Saipan) expects the governor to “highlight the trend that our economy is well on its way to recovery; the differences between this upcoming fiscal year and those past [years].”

“I do hope that we will hear news or new influx of businesses or revenue that will help the CNMI get there sooner rather than later,” Camacho said.

Senate floor leader Ray Yumul (Ind-Saipan) hopes that the governor will focus on the economy “and his plans on how to govern within the confines of the annual budget.”

“We have multiple immediate problems such as CHC [Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.], CUC [Commonwealth Utilities Corp.] and Retirement Fund. I look forward to hearing his plans how to address these issues in the next five months,” Yumul said last night.

Inos is running for governor in the November elections under the Republican Party. His running mate is Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan). Yumul, meanwhile, is a lieutenant governor candidate, with former House speaker Heinz Hofschneider as his running mate and gubernatorial bet as independents.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) will also deliver remarks before the joint session of the CNMI Legislature.

Today’s joint legislative session to receive the governor’s SOCA is at 10am at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.